Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 3) — The result of the 2016 Bar examination on Wednesday was marked with numerous milestones.

FULL LIST: 2016 Bar exam passers

Out of 6,344 examinees, 3,747 or 59.06 percent passed, which is the highest passing rate in 16 years.

And for the first time, all of the top 10 passers came from provincial law schools, with topnotcher Karen Mae Calam hailing from the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu.

USC also had the highest number of top 10 passers, followed by Silliman University in Negros Oriental.

1st: Karen Mae Calam, University of San Carlos (89.05 percent)

2nd: Alanna Gayle Ashley Khio, Silliman University (88.95 percent)

3rd (tied): Fiona Cristy Lao, University of San Carlos (88.80 percent)

3rd (tied): Athalia Liong, Andres Bonifacio College (88.80 percent)

4th: Allana Mae Babayen-On, University of San Agustin (88.75 percent)

5th: Justin Ryan Morilla, Ateneo de Davao University (88.40 percent)

6th: Mark Dave Camarao, Northwestern University (88.10 percent)

7th: Anne Margaret Momongan, University of San Carlos (87.80 percent)

8th: Jefferson Gomez, University of San Carlos (87.70 percent)

9th (tied): Nia Rachelle Gonzales, University of Batangas (87.50 percent)

9th (tied): Marie Chielo Ybio, Silliman University (87.50 percent)

10th: Andrew Stephen Liu, Silliman University (87.45 percent)

Calam told CNN Philippines that she felt overwhelmed from hearing that she topped the exam. She added that her officemate at accounting firm SGV & Co. Philippines is Top 7 Bar passer Anne Margaret Momongan, who also graduated from USC.

"Hindi ko ine-expect, grabe," she said. "Naiiyak nga kami kanina kasi yung Top 7 din, si Anne Margaret, officemate ko tsaka close ko."

[Translation: I really didn't expect this. Both I and the top 7 passer, Anne Margaret, who is my officemate and friend, were in tears.]

Calam also said she intends to specialize in taxation and corporate law and that she has no plans of leaving SGV yet.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella congratulated the Bar passers in a statement and encouraged them to join the government.

"We pray that many of the successful examinees would pursue a career in government and join us in building a progressive and inclusive nation with a trustworthy government run by young people full of idealism, integrity and excellence," he said.

The exam covered Political Law, Labor Law, Civil Law, Taxation Law, Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Remedial Law, and Legal Ethics.

The oath-taking of the Bar passers will be on May 22 at 3 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please refresh the page for updates.

(Story updated 5 p.m. of May 3 to include new lead paragraph.)