ACPACI Celebrates Golden Jubilee
A celebratory atmosphere blanketed the Manila Hotel’s glitzy and ornate pavilion as ACPACI commemorated its 50th founding anniversary on a Thursday night last March 16, 2023. The general mood was vibrant and jubilant. Past presidents, the board of directors, chairpersons and distinguished guests in their fabulous “touch of gold” outfits, gathered together in this sentimental reunion to celebrate the Association’s iconic moment.
A Blast from ACPACI’s Past
A look back from ACPACI’s history, it was founded on March 16, 1973 by its 15 incorporators, of which, eleven (11) served as the Board of Directors and with the main objectives: to promote the advancement of accountancy in the field of commerce and industry thru research, seminars and special studies; to assist CPAs in commerce and industry on problems common to them, as in accounting, systems, finance, administration and management; to promote high professional and ethical standards among CPAs in commerce and industry; to maintain liaison with CPAs in government services, in public practice, and in education as well as with other professional and civic organizations; to assist and cooperate with the Board of Accountancy (BOA) in the attainment of its objectives, and to promote camaraderie among CPAs in commerce and industry.
During the ‘70s, only the CPAs engaged in public practice were always at the forefront and were always taking the lead in the accountancy landscape. These courageous ACPACI incorporators and pioneers reckoned, that it was about time that the CPAs in the Commerce and Industry sector should take centerstage and be given the opportunity to embark their own journey, and show what they could contribute to the accountancy profession, the society and nation building one step at a time.
A Nostalgic Journey
The fete kicked off with the welcome remarks from Ms. Corazon S. Rey, Overall Chairperson of the 50th Celebration Committee, followed by a speech from the current ACPACI president, Ms. Anna Lissa C. Chua-Dycaico. The event was keynoted by PRBoA Chair, Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola. Also, part of the program was the introduction of the winners of the concluded Search for Outstanding Accounting Students of the Philippines (SOASP) awards by President Chua-Dycaico and Mr. Ellano Marcelo, VP for Partnership with Other Professional Organizations and Other Stakeholders.
ACPACI’s founding anniversary event is a staple every year. However, for this year, it was bigger and grander than the usual. Everyone embarked on a nostalgic journey into the yesteryears when an AVP chronicling ACPACI and its past presidents and officers’ memorable milestones, highlights and achievements over the past five decades was shown to more than a hundred attentive audience at the Manila Hotel’s packed ballroom.
One of the major highlights of the event was the presentation of Golden Service Excellence Awards bestowed to Past Presidents. This is to pay homage to their exemplary leadership and contribution which led to the Association’s landmark moment. The awarding ceremonies were punctuated by acceptance speeches by the past presidents representing their respective decades: Mr. Alfred B. Parungao, 1973 – 1983; Mr. Marcial P. Morales, 1984 – 1993; Mr. Jaime P. Villegas, 1994 – 2003; Ms. Consuelo O. Cadeliña, 2004 – 2013; and Ms. Lolita P. Tang, 2014 – 2022. The awards were presented by Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola and President Anna Lissa Chua-Dycaico.
Wines were served, people perked up on their seats, put away their phones and clinked their glasses for a ceremonial toast for this happy occasion given by Mr. Roque A. Lim of SM Group of Companies. Also, at the beginning of the festivity, the attendees were serenaded by celebrity balladeer, Mr. Christian Bautista with the song, Go the Distance, and additional entertainment was provided by homegrown talents from PICPA: Ms. Yolanda Rotap, the Singing Diva of PICPA Central Luzon, Mr. Manuel Veluz, Jr., PICPA MMR Balladeer and Mr. Danilo Teria, PICPA’s Singing Idol Champion. Also, mementoes were given to the guests as simple keepsakes to remind them of the semicentennial celebration. To culminate the evening, ACPACI’s immediate past president, Mr. Aphat C. Martinez, Jr., gave his closing remarks.
The 50th anniversary celebration was an enormous opportunity for ACPACI to reminisce the past and its extraordinary journey, and to articulate its remarkable trajectory and milestones.
A look into the future, ACPACI strives to continue pursuing excellence and to remain relevant, as attested by the new theme it carries – Sustaining Sustainability. Living Our Legacy. ACPACI will continue to reflect on the challenges of its history, articulate the mission of its present, and to revolve with purpose toward an even more extraordinary and impactful future.
Press Clipping, Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 16, 2023