MMSU is most awarded accounting school in Region I, CAR

MMSU JPIA

Photo by Cherry Joy Garma

By Herdy La. Yumul

BESTING 18 other schools, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) was proclaimed as the “Most Awarded Local Chapter” during the 2013 Mid-year Convention of the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants-Region I and Cordillera Administrative Region held at the Hotel Supreme in Baguio City, September 22-24.

The state university dominated the academic competitions with Jethro Vincent U. Espejo (BS Acct II) and Marlon B. Manzanades (BS Acct IV) both bagging first place in the Basic Accounting Wizard and Accounting Genius categories.

Other placers in the accounting quizzes were: Richelle Mei R. Pascual, BS Acct II; Richard B. Agtang, Haizel E. de Leon, both BS Acc III; and Moises P. Calastravo, Jonathan T. Fernandez, Charles Jourdan S. Agres, and MMSU JPIA president Bradley R. Policarpio, all BS Acct IV.

In the non-academic events, MMSU also shone brightly as the Stallions proved their mettle in rhetorical, literary, and artistic competitions.

Ezra A. Ramajo (BS Acct II) won first place in extemporaneous speaking while Joeward M. Reyes (BS Acct IV) bagged the gold in poem writing.

The MMSU JPIA Debate Team composed of Ramajo, Vincent M. Ortal (BS Acct IV), and John Vincent A. Alipio (BS Acct IV) was first runner up in debate. Also, Alipio ranked third in logo design.

Urban Showcase, the most awaited event where every school delegation presented an entertainment number, also saw MMSU emerging as champion by a unanimous decision from the board of judges. The Stallions performed a well-applauded interpretation of two songs by Yeng Constantino: “Jeepney” and “Chinito”.

Including the results from the beauty contest dubbed “Search for NFJPIA’s Ambassador and Ambassadress of Goodwill”, MMSU tied with the University of Baguio as most awarded school in terms of points. The said search however was marred with controversy as St. Louis University filed a complaint over some rules imposed by the organizers.

University of Baguio’s female candidate emerged as ambassadress while amid the chaos, MMSU’s Editha Framal V. Gaerlan was proclaimed Miss Congeniality. MMSU did not field a male candidate.

Accountancy Department chair Angelina A. Tagay, who led the MMSU delegation, praised the students for their achievement, saying that it is the “product of their hard work and their commitment to excellence.” 

She expressed hope that their exposure in the convention, especially in the academic events, can help them continue making a mark in their studies, and eventually in the CPA board exam. 

Jonathan Rex M. Quirino serves as MMSU JPIA adviser while Anjo Neil Guillermo (BS Acct III) is vice president for non-academics of NFJPIA-Region I and CAR.