1,553 new CPAs; topnotcher also No. 6 in nursing exam

MANILA, Philippines - In 2007, Richard Saavedra placed sixth in the Nursing Licensure Examination.

But Saavedra felt he wanted something else in life. He found his calling in accounting.

Yesterday, results of the licensure examination for certified public accountants (CPA) showed that the graduate of Ateneo de Davao University led more than 5,000 successful examinees with a score of 96 percent.

In a television interview, Saavedra said he realized accounting is his real strength.

The Professional Regulation Commission said out of 5,665 examinees, only 1,553 passed the exam held in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi.

Placing second in the CPA examination was University of San Carlos graduate Mikyll Hum Narvios, who obtained a grade of 95.43 percent, followed by University of Baguio graduate Tom Aguilar in third place with a score of 94 percent.

Another University of San Carlos graduate, Wendell Ang, captured the fourth spot with a grade of 93.71 percent, while Western Leyte College’s Jaymar Dumagsa landed fifth with a score of 93.57 percent.

Russel Aaron Ailes of Ateneo de Naga University and Hazel Sy of De La Salle University-Manila shared sixth place with a grade of 93.29 percent.

Another De La Salle graduate Jon Vincent Ong placed seventh with a score of 93.14 percent.

Xavier University’s Glen Dareen Santos ranked eighth with a grade of 92.71 percent, followed by Kathleen Samonte, also of De La Salle with 92.43 percent.

Tenth placers were Arianne Fernando of University of San Carlos and Jay Ronald Lluvido of Holy Name University in Tagbilaran. Both scored 92.29 percent.