A Soldier’s Dream, A Scholar’s Victory: How Isaac Ochotorena Hurdled a Decade to the Bar

For Isaac C. Ochotorena, the path to the 2024 Bar excellence wasn't paved with privilege; it was built on a foundation of military discipline and a father's unfulfilled ambition. Among the more than 5,000 successful Bar examinees, Isaac stands as a testament to what happens when grit meets opportunity.

A Legacy Reclaimed

Isaac is the son of a Philippine Air Force Technical Sergeant who passed away in 2016. His father was more than just a soldier; he once served as a national coach for Sepak Takraw and harbored a lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer.

Life in a military household, however, came with its share of hurdles. Despite his father’s service as a non-commissioned officer, the family faced financial difficulties, particularly during the shifting political and economic landscapes following the EDSA People Power Revolution. With a mother who, despite holding a BSE degree, chose to be a full-time housewife to care for their family of five, the road to becoming a lawyer was not an easy one for Isaac.

Leveling the Playing Field

The turning point came when Isaac secured a slot in the SM College Scholarship Program, graduating as part of the Batch of 2013. This was the essential first step in a journey that would span over a decade.

“If not for the SM scholarship, I would not be what I am today,” Isaac says. “SM gave me an equal chance to survive and thrive. It was instrumental to put on my wings to pursue my dreams.”

For Isaac, the scholarship changed the playing field, providing the support he knew his parents could not fully shoulder for his college education.

 The Marathon to the Bar

Isaac’s journey was a marathon, not a sprint, defined by a decade of balancing labor with learning. After obtaining his Accounting degree from PSBA, he prioritized financial stability to fund his legal aspirations. He landed a job with Coca-Cola in 2014, and the following year, he began a long-standing tenure as a professor at the Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST), where he would work for 11 years.

Even while taking on opportunities in the financial services and insurance industry and completing his MBA from NCBA in 2019, his focus remained on the law. Shortly after, he began the grueling process of pursuing his law degree, splitting his studies between the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and the Philippine Law School to finally claim the title his father had always envisioned.

A Message to the Next Generation

Now a newly-minted lawyer, Isaac urges current SM scholars to recognize the weight of the opportunity they have been given.

“Do not take for granted the SM scholarship,” he says. “Don’t quit, commit to your goal, and be grateful to the people who trusted you and gave you a chance in life. Don’t quit on your dream.”

 Your Future Starts Here

If you or someone you know is a high school graduate aspiring for higher education, the SM College Scholarship Program for the upcoming academic year is now open. The application period runs from February 1 to 28.

Interested applicants may submit their applications by visiting www.sm-foundation.org. For more details and stories of hope, follow SM Foundation’s official social media accounts on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook: @smfoundationinc.

Isaac with SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy at the 2024 SM Scholar Alumni Homecoming

Isaac, proudly wearing the toga as he steps into his new journey as a lawyer, carrying the spirit of an SM scholar forward.

Isaac, fourth from the right, with Eleanor Lansang, Vice President for Education Programs at SM Foundation, third from the right, during the SM College Scholars Alumni Homecoming

Isaac (leftmost) with Linda Atayde, Executive Director for Education Programs (second to the left) during the SM College Scholars Alumni Homecoming.