Vinzon Jay Garcia of Wesleyan University in Nueva Ecija, bested other 24 student finalists and emerged as the Champion of the 17th Search for Outstanding Accounting Students of the Philippines (SOASP) held last November 27, 2015 at the Makati Diamond Residences in Greenbelt, Makati City.
The annual nation-wide search is a collaborative effort of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), P&A Foundation, Inc., and the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI). The qualifying exam was joined in by 74 schools all over the Philippines with 414 student takers, and the 25 finalists battled it out at the Grand Finals held in Makati. Gerald Miclat of Holy Angel University was 1st Runner-up and Hazel Victoria Co of the University of Sto. Tomas became the 2nd Runner-up.
Apart from the intellectually challenging accounting and taxation related multiple choice questions, in the Final round-- the Question and Answer portion, the top 3 contestants, just like in the recently concluded 2015 Miss Universe beauty pageant, were asked the same set of questions about management and current events and gave their “confidently beautiful” and best answers in front of the distinguished audience comprised of the Who’s Who in the Accounting universe, guests, students, deans and professors from the participating schools, and venerable board of judges composed of Atty. Samuel F. Villanueva, President of Philippine Duplicators, Inc., Mr. Leonardo D. Cuaresma, Jr. of Punongbayan & Araullo and Ms. Ofelia O. Padis, ACPACI Director.
The Top 3 students brought not only prestige and recognition for their respective schools, but also took home with them cash prizes (P50K for the 1st placer; P30K for the 2nd placer; and P20K for the 3rd placer) and plaques of recognition. Also, Garcia, the Grand Champion, received additional cash prize of P10K when he topped the qualifying examination.
It’s good to note that this was the first time that the SOASP was held at the Makati Diamond Residences; the previous ones were always been held at the Century Plaza Hotel, meanwhile, incoming ACPACI President, Ms. Cynthia Molina, Mr. Wowie Roguel, 2015 ACPACI President and Ms. Marivic Espano, P&A Foundation, Inc. Chairperson delivered their inspirational messages during the occasion while Ms. Paz Malubay, 2011 ACPACI President and Project Leader gave the closing remarks. Mr. Rodel Marquez of P&A was the emcee and the Quiz Master.