5 Cebuanos rule CPA board exam

CEBU, Philippines - A graduate of the University of San Jose Recoletos topped the Certified Public Accountant licensure examinations given by the Professional Regulation Commission last year.

Gecel Gabucan Codera led four other Cebuano students from USJ-R, University of Cebu and University of San Carlos in the top 10.

Codera bested 4,772 examinees nationwide to top one of the most difficult board exams in the country. She scored 93.14 percent.

Two other USJ-R graduates, Niño Martin Arcenal Juntong and Mark Solitario, also made it to the top 10 having claimed the third and sixth place, respectively. Juntong scored 92.71 percent.

Solitario tied with UC’s Rene Boy Monsida Lebores on the sixth spot with 92 percent. 

Ritchie Zanoria Tejana of the USC bagged the 10th place with 91.14 percent.

Other topnotchers are Jan Marcus Ang Tang of the Chiang Kai Shek College at 2nd place with 92.86; Ellen Joy Apostol Garcia of the University of Santo Tomas, 4th place with 92.43 and John Raymund Vincent Fullecido of De La Salle University in Manila at 5th place with 92.29.

In the sixth place aside from Lebores and Solitario, are Fernando Miano Monterola, Jr. of Kingfisher School of Business and Finance, Reynaldo Prudenciado, Jr. of Christ the King of Calbayog and Jamil Montañez Saripada of De La Salle University in Manila.

Mark Angelo Acosta of the De La Salle University, Mark Alyson Ngina of the University of the Cordilleras (Baguio College Foundation) and Jenny Belle Rodis of De La Salle University in Manila tied with 91.86.

Julius Calungsod Ondoy of Notre Dame of Midsayap College and Randy Espiritu Ventanilla of the University of Baguio tied with 91.71 to claim the 8th spot, while Chester Miguel Pacio of the University of the Cordilleras occupied the 9th place with his 91.57 percent.

Codera, in an interview over dyLA, said she learned about the good news while in the Basilica del Santo Niño yesterday morning.

“Naa ko sa Sto. Niño pagtawag sa among interviewer. At first, wala ko nituo pero nitawag na sad akong laing interviewer, then nakadawat na ko og daghang tawag. Nakahilak gyud ko sulod sa Sto. Niño,” she said.

Codera knew the results were set to be released by the PRC yesterday so she went to the church to pray as she was not sure yet of the turn out of the exam.

She attributed her success to her faith to the Lord and the support from her family and friends.

“First sa Ginoo gyud na. Tanan nakong achievements gikan gyud niya. Ug sa akong parents who supported me financially, morally, sa tanan,” Codera said.

Codera graduated a magna cum laude in October 2009 with a degree on Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. She is from Busay, Cebu City. Her parents, Reynaldo and Gina, are flower farmers.

Codera, who had to hurdle financial difficulties, said it was not easy for her family to send her to school. But prayers and hard work made things possible for them.

Out of the 4,772 examinees who took the CPA licensure examinations last year in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi only 1,886 passed.

Codera said there were 82 of them from the USJR who took the exams but only 43 made it.

The PRC said registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card and Certificate of Registration will start on May 31 until June 18. Successful examinees should personally register and sign the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The oath-taking ceremony of the successful examinees, as well as the previous ones who have not taken their oath, will be held on July 2, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.  – THE FREEMAN