A 69-year-old cardiologist from the Davao Region has become a lawyer after passing the 2025 Philippine Bar Examinations on his second attempt, achieving a lifelong ambition while continuing to treat patients throughout his legal studies.
Dr. Cyrus Abeto Asis had already spent decades practicing medicine when he decided to pursue law, inspired by his father’s aspirations and his experiences dealing with legal matters in healthcare.
His decision required years of balancing two demanding commitments. Six days a week, Asis attended to patients from morning until noon, devoted his afternoons to studying, and attended law classes in the evening. Some nights, he continued reviewing his lessons after returning home.
His responsibilities as a cardiologist remained unchanged. Hospital referrals, emergencies, and complicated patient cases frequently competed with his academic requirements.
The journey also brought disappointments. According to a feature published by his medical fraternity, Phi Kappa Mu, Asis failed a subject during his first year of law school and later encountered another setback involving a removal examination.
Throughout his studies, his wife helped him conduct online research and gather legal materials. When he eventually passed the Bar, she jokingly remarked that they had both passed, acknowledging the years of shared effort behind his achievement.
Asis graduated from St. Thomas More School of Law and Business in Tagum City in 2024. At 68, he took the Bar Examinations that September but failed on his first attempt.
He returned for the 2025 Bar Examinations while continuing his medical practice. On Jan. 7, 2026, the Supreme Court released the results, confirming that Asis had finally passed at 69.
His success came after years of managing hospital responsibilities, academic setbacks, and demanding study schedules without abandoning his medical career.
In a September 2024 interview with SunStar Davao, Asis shared a message for people considering new ambitions later in life.
“It’s not too late. Pursue your dream as long as you have the determination,” he said.
After decades of caring for patients, Atty. Cyrus Abeto Asis has earned the opportunity to begin another profession at 69, offering a powerful reminder that a lifetime of achievement can still leave room for another dream.
