Bar Boys: A Dream That Will Wake You Up to Reality—Reflection of Unequal Opportunities in Society
Written by: Christian Jeremias
April 22, 2025
Our parents always remind us to study hard so we can finish our education and find a good job because education is the only thing they can pass on to us that no one can take away. And we always see the saying in every classroom of the school, "Education is the key to success.
Is education really the key to success, but what if education is only for those who can afford it? In a system with high qualifications in completed education, will dreams be fulfilled, or will they remain just dreams?
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It's impossible that you didn't mention when you were a child that you wanted to become a lawyer. How difficult is it to fulfill this dream? Director Kip Oebanda aimed to convey a message of hope and determination, emphasizing the value of friendship and support networks in overcoming life's obstacles and law school.
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A movie that reflects many realities of life—friendship, hard work, and the pursuit of dreams despite obstacles. The Bar Boys is a 2017 Philippine comedy-drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Kip Oebanda. This film shows one of the most difficult problems faced not only by the characters in the movie but also by many Filipinos today. The unequal opportunities in education and profession are brought about by social status.
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The difference in the circumstances of each main character. Erik Vicencio (Carlo Aquino), who comes from a poor family, has to balance his household responsibilities with the intense pressure of studying in law school. He is not like his friends Chris Carlson (Enzo Pineda), Toran Garcia (Rocco Nacino), and Joshua Zuniga (Kean Cipriano), who have more financial and emotional capacity to support themselves in their studies. Erik experienced the loss of a loved one, financial struggles, and self-doubt. However, he did not give up on his dream.
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This is not just about the movie. In real society, this is also the reality for millions of Filipinos. Almost 4 out of every 10 Filipino college students stop studying, according to the EDCOM II report.
Many intelligent and hardworking young people are unable to enter or finish college due to poverty. In universities and professions such as law, those from affluent backgrounds often have an advantage: better education, more connections, and fewer worries. Because of this, systemic inequality in achieving success arises.
Courtesy: CinemaBravo
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This type of problem is difficult to solve because it is rooted in the very structure of our society. Poverty, lack of opportunity, and elitism in institutions are just some of the reasons why the struggle remains difficult for people like Erik. Sometimes, intelligence and hard work are not enough; it seems you also need connections, money, and position to get ahead.
However, the movie gives hope. Despite all the obstacles, Erik and his friends showed that with determination, integrity, and the support of family and friends, success can still be achieved. This is also a call to society to take steps to level the playing field so that education and justice should be accessible to all, not just a few.
In the end, Bar Boys is not just the story of four friends. It is a portrayal of the real lives of many Filipinos, the struggle against an unfair system, the embrace of dreams, and the perseverance despite everything.
"The purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things.” - Bar Boys.
References:
The Toughest Bar Exams in the World - Uber Digests. (n.d.). Uberdigests.info. https://uberdigests.info/2013/05/the-toughest-bar-exams-in-the-world/?print=print
Communications, E. 2. (2025, February 12). Go urges CHED to address high dropout rates in college. EDCOM 2. https://edcom2.gov.ph/go-urges-ched-to-address-high-dropout-rates-in-college/