UV student bags SOASP award

CEBU, Philippines —  A student from University of the Visayas bested other finalists from different schools in the country in virtual Search for the Outstanding Accounting Students of the Philippines (SOASP) on May 29, 2021.

Third year, BS in Accountancy student Butch Warren Hojas, 30, originally from Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, beat 25 qualifiers during Quiz bowl with five of them proceeded to the final round.

The search began with 437 students from 93 universities and colleges in the first leg of examinations with four from each region, with highest scores, advanced to the qualifying round.

In the final round, the board of judges asked them individual questions in a Question and Answer segment.

Hojas received a plaque of recognition and P50,000.

He was followed by Francis Matthew Obligacion of University of Santo Tomas, Alexander Salvador Bandiola, Jr. of the University of the Cordilleras, Chian Jhel Tayupon of the University of Saint La Salle – Bacolod, and Warren Chua of De La Salle University – Manila placed second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

Hojas, in an interview, said he was surprised after hearing his name as the champion of the SOASP.

He has been proud to lead the national level of competition and brought honor to the university.

During the competitions, staying calm no matter what has been his strategy through winning.

"Ang pagiging kabado ko ang pinakamahirap na kalaban ko," said Hojas.

He added that overcoming his fear of losing, not meeting the expectations from his instructors, and overcoming the introvert characteristic he had has been his challenges.

As the competitions occurred in the time of health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has not affected his academic performance.

Before he entered college, he worked as an Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in the United Arab Emirates as an industrial painter for four years.

On the other hand, the subjects covered in the examinations were Management Advisory Services, Taxation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting to Regulatory Frameworks for Business Transactions.

P&A Foundation, in collaboration with the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI) and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), organized the first virtual for the SOASP. — Dominic I. Dilao, UV Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)