Pampangan lass, Joan Mae Lugtu of Holy Angel University (HAU), emerged as the winner of the 15th Search for Outstanding Accounting Students of the Philippines Accounting Quiz Bee sponsored by the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI) in cooperation with the Punongbayan & Araullo Foundation last December 9, 2013 at the Grand Ballroom of the Century Park Hotel, Manila.
Other victors were Monique Bea Kho and Thomas Zachary Sarigumba, who placed second and third respectively. They are both from the University of San Carlos. Notable fourth placers were Philip John Martin of University of Saint Louis-Tuguegarao and Kim Taruc of De La Salle University – Manila. This year’s nationwide competition was joined by 294 students from 61 Colleges and Universities, a far better turnout than last year’s 182 participants from 35 schools.
The qualifying exams were simultaneously conducted all over the Philippines by the organizers, and the top 25 students in the Qualifying Exam moved on to join the finals in Manila on December 9. Out of the 25 finalists, the three highest scorers after the accounting quiz bee proper advanced to the competition’s final and nerve-wracking round-- the interview portion. Just like in the Miss Universe Q&A segment, each of the three students (while one student was reciting on stage, the other two were inside an isolated room outside the grand ballroom) was asked by the distinguished panel of Board of Judges, composed of Mr. Samuel Villacampa of Philippine Duplicators and the panel’s Chairperson; Ms. Connie Cadelina of ACPACI and Mr. Leonardo Cuaresma, Jr. of P&A, of their thoughts/ opinion about 1) the newly implemented K-12 education system in the Philippines. 2) the ASEAN’s Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Accountancy Services and 3) the accreditation requirements with the BOA, BIR and the SEC imposed on a CPA engaged in public practice.
In the end, the heartfelt, substantive and illuminating speech/ answers of Ms. Lugtu got the nod from the judges (and the audience as well), and she earned the title Most Outstanding Accounting Student of the Philippines for 2013.
Aside from honors and glory, the Champion, Ms. Lugtu, received P50,000 and a plaque; Ms. Kho and Mr. Sarigumba were awarded P30,000 and P20,000 for winning the second and third place respectively. They likewise received a trophy each. Also, the top 25 finalists received P5,000 and a trophy. Ray Hamodi Ngalot of the University of San Carlos was declared the highest over-all scorer in the Qualifying Examination and he received P10,000 and a plaque.
The event was graced by VIPs of the Accountancy world. 2013 PICPA National President, Ms. Violeta Josef, gave her short message to the participants, students, teachers, mentors, organizers and the guests as well. Mr. Jing Ireneo, PICPA’s Executive Director, bestowed the opening remarks while Ms. Paz Malubay , 2011 ACPACI President, delivered the closing remarks. Ms. Ning Santos, incoming ACPACI 2014 President, announced the top finalists and introduced the panel of judges. Mr. Hum Mikyll Narvios, 2nd placer of the 2012 Search for Outstanding Accounting Students of the Philippines, motivated the participants and the audience through his inspiration message. The occasion was emceed by Mr. Rodel V. Marqueses and the Quiz Master for the quiz bee proper was Mr. Anton Ng, both were from P&A.