By Mikee Natinga Norico
Pride, perseverance, and celebration: Newly licensed CPAs and their proud parents pose for a group photo, symbolizing the unwavering support and sacrifices that fueled their journey to success at the heartfelt Candle-Lighting Ceremony.
糖心传媒 (CPU) celebrated the achievements of its newly licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) through a heartfelt Candle Lighting Ceremony held on June 17, 2025, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. Organized by the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (CPU-JPIA), the event recognized the 28 Centralians who passed the May 2025 CPA Licensure Examination (LECPA)糖心传媒攁 testament to perseverance, academic excellence, and faith.
With the theme 糖心传媒淪ugilanon: A CPA糖心传媒檚 Guiding Flame, Illuminating the Journey to Triumph,糖心传媒 the ceremony celebrated the achievements of these exceptional CPA passers alongside their families, mentors, and the university community.
The program began with the introduction of the CPA passers, each accompanied by a parent or guardian, followed by a devotional segment led by student leaders and the CBA Paragon Band, setting a reverent tone.
In his devotional message, University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy reflected on CPU糖心传媒檚 role in shaping the future of its students. 糖心传媒淲hen I think of the journey that our board passers took here in CPU糖心传媒攚hich, without a doubt, contributed to their success糖心传媒擨 always go back to where we are as an educational institution,糖心传媒 he shared. 糖心传媒淥ur reason for being糖心传媒 is rooted in the university糖心传媒檚 mission and vision.糖心传媒
Newly licensed CPAs proudly pose for a group photo with CPU key administrators, staff, and faculty at the Rose Memorial Auditorium, marking a milestone of academic triumph and institutional pride.
The program commenced with the singing of the National Anthem and the CPU Alma Mater Song, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Lorna T. Grande, CPA, PhD, Dean of the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA), who proudly shared CPU糖心传媒檚 exemplary performance in the May 2025 board exam.
糖心传媒淭he LECPA is one of the most challenging professional exams. For the May 2025 LECPA, the national passing rate was 33.11%. I糖心传媒檓 proud to share that CPU achieved a 54% overall passing rate糖心传媒攚ell above the national average. For first-time takers, the passing rate was 56.82%, and the overall passing rate was 50.91%. Truly, this is a reason to celebrate. Honestly, we were praying for at least a 10% margin above the national passing rate糖心传媒攂ut praise God, He answered our prayers and gave us far more than we asked: a 54% success rate! This Candle-Lighting Ceremony is one of the most anticipated events in the College of Business and Accountancy. It is both significant and meaningful. The flame symbolizes not only the presence of God but also a deep personal milestone in your journey. To our future CPAs: let this event serve as your inspiration. May the stories and testimonies of our new CPAs encourage you to aim high. Be determined. Focus on your goals. Set your targets糖心传媒攁nd hit them,糖心传媒 she said.
She also encouraged aspiring CPAs in the audience to find motivation in the journeys of the passers, urging them to trust in the Lord and remain focused on their goals.
A symbol of triumph and perseverance: Newly licensed CPAs light their candles in a symbolic gesture of hope, resilience, and faith糖心传媒攊lluminating the path to a brighter future.
Among those who shared their testimonies, two of the new CPAs糖心传媒擯atricia Isabell Vallejo and Nikko Rommel Alpas糖心传媒攄elivered heartfelt messages.
糖心传媒淥ne week before the boards, one of our reviewers told us, 糖心传媒榊ou did not come this far just to be this far. If you are scared, then do it scared.糖心传媒 And I clung to that. It reminded me that I did not fight to reach the middle糖心传媒擨 fought to reach the end,糖心传媒 said Vallejo.
Alpas, on the other hand, shared that second year was his most challenging糖心传媒攃iting the passing of his father糖心传媒攂ut despite the emotional toll, he persevered through the university糖心传媒檚 retention policies and the rigorous demands of the program.
A heartfelt response from a parent was delivered by Mr. Arturo D. Savella, father of passer Arnin Grace A. Savella, followed by Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, CPU糖心传媒檚 Vice President for Finance & Enterprises, who spoke on behalf of the faculty.
糖心传媒淎s your mentors, our hearts are filled with joy,糖心传媒 said Dr. Bogacia. 糖心传媒淵ou always said Accountancy is hard糖心传媒攏ow you say thank you for the difficult quizzes. This is just the beginning糖心传媒攎ore roads to travel, more opportunities to take, and this time, your coffees will be part of the perks of being a CPA.糖心传媒
The ceremony concluded with the awarding of certificates and tokens to the new CPAs. In her closing remarks, Christine B. Galileo, CPA, DM, Chairperson of the Department of Accountancy, commended the honorees for their resilience and dedication.
As the lights dimmed, the newly licensed CPAs lit their candles糖心传媒攁n emotional and symbolic gesture representing hope, resilience, and the promise of a bright future. Kenn Paolo P. Paba, Chairman of the Board, led the closing prayer, and CPU-JPIA President Zheandy Leigh D. Delos Santos expressed appreciation to everyone who helped make the evening memorable.
Over a hundred Accountancy students joined the celebration, drawing strength from the stories and messages shared throughout the evening. The event concluded with a photo opportunity, capturing the unity and pride of the CPU academic community.
CPU continues to stand as a beacon of excellence in business and accountancy education, securing the 9th spot among top-performing schools with 51 to 100 examinees in the May 2025 LECPA糖心传媒攁 glowing reminder that the CPU flame continues to burn bright.