CPA topnotchers tell their stories

MANILA, Philippines - Jamaica Englis dreamed of becoming a doctor and was bent on taking up BS Biology at the University of the Philippines Visayas-Cebu College in preparation for medicine.

But she instead finished accountancy at the University of San Carlos as she realized that even the combined salaries of her parents – a real estate agent who earns only through commission and a public school teacher – were not enough to buy expensive medical books.

“I thought I wouldn’t be able to survive college and would have to take a part-time job, or one of my siblings would have to stop schooling,” she said.  “I sought God’s help and the SM Foundation was the help I got.”

Having finished her accountancy with honors, Englis said she never regretted the career shift and was most grateful to her benefactor for opening her eyes to another path to success.

When Englis reviewed for the July CPA board, she was determined to land in the top 10. She studied hard and prayed hard, even during the exams.

“During my preparation for the board exam, I often imagined myself as one of the July 2014 CPA Board topnotchers. I imagined how my family and friends would look if I did. I also displayed on my cell phone wallpaper a tarpaulin with my photo on it with the caption, ‘Jamaica P. Englis, CPA – May 2014 CPA Board topnotcher.’ I only did this as a motivation,” she said.

“During exam days I left everything to God. He was the only one I had during those crucial moments and I asked the Lord to help me find the right answers. As always, He never failed me,” Englis said.

After the results came out, “a lot of companies offered me jobs, but I decided to join the country’s largest accounting firm, SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV). I am currently a tax associate in SGV Cebu. I also want to put up my own business because I was inspired by Tatang Henry Sy. I want to be like Tatang, who gives scholarships to poor but deserving students. Like Tatang, I want to become an instrument for achieving dreams and changing hundreds of Filipino families’ lives for the better,” she said.

Cedrick Zapanta, another SM Foundation scholar, landed a job with SGV after finishing the board among the top three in October 2014. He took his accountancy degree at the SM-owned Asia Pacific College, finished with honors and reviewed.  He will be starting as an associate in SGV & Co.

His family barely earns enough for subsistence. Paying for college and the review courses meant sacrifices for the family. 

Zapanta said his parents were “more excited, happier and prouder than I was at that moment, I think, and that made me even more fulfilled.”

But unlike Englis, Zapanta still has no concrete long-term plans.

“I am excited to learn new things and further my career as a professional. However, it is my dream to go into and manage my own business, teach in my later years, and practice my profession and like my benefactor, Tatang Sy help poor students get an education,” he said.