Another University of the Cordilleras grad tops CPA exams

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — For the second year in a row, a University of the Cordilleras (UC) graduate has topped this year’s Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Licensure Examinations.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced yesterday that UC’s Nicole Agoy Gonzales topped the exam with a score of 90.83 percent, besting 3,155 exam passers.

Tying with Gonzales was Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta Mesa’s Hazel Ann Concepcion Sera who also topped the exam with a score of 90.83 percent.

In second place was Joseph Camacho Mag-aso Jr. of Binalbagan Catholic College with a score of 90.50 percent, followed by Shawn Luther So Chan of De La Salle University-Manila in third place with a score of 90.33.

A total of 10,421 examinees took the licensure exams.

In 2023, UC graduate Alexander Salvador Centino Bandiola Jr. topped the same licensure exam with a score of 89.50 percent, besting 2,239 successful examinees.

“I feel proud (for this) remarkable achievement for our city,” Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said. “(Gonzales’) achievement is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and high quality education provided by our institutions here in Baguio.”

“Her success brings great honor, not only to her family and alma mater, but to the City of Baguio,” Magalong added.

“This achievement highlights the students’ dedication and perseverance, as well as the exceptional quality of our accountancy faculty and the diversity of opportunities the University of the Cordilleras provides,” UC College of Accountancy Dean Jasmin May Baniaga said.

The licensure examinations took place in Metro Manila, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pagadian, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga and Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

The PRC said the date and venue of the oath-taking will be announced at a later date. — Rhodina Villanueva