05/06/2026
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By Ronald Alagos
βAfter graduation, most of our professors already knew nga ma-take ako ka exam, and while I know it came from a place of encouragement and good intentions, it still felt nerve-wracking mabatian nga sure ron nga makapasar ako. Becauseβ¦what if I didnβt?β
These were the unspoken anxieties of Jean Angela Labitoria, University of Antique (UA) Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Magna Cum Laude, in the months prior to passing the May 2026 Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (LECPA) on her first take.
To the outside world, Labitoria was a sure betβClass Valedictorian, Magna Cum Laude of the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) programβboth hallmarks of an academic powerhouse whose success seemed entirely guaranteed. Yet, behind the scenes, the path to the podium and the CPA license was anything but a straight line.
In reality, Labitoria transferred to UA during the second semester of her first year. From that moment until her final year, Labitoria was plagued by the same challenges she encountered from when she first stepped into the gates of UA as an irregular student.
As an irregular student, Labitoria's daily routine was a chaotic jigsaw puzzle. She constantly battled conflicting schedules, often forcing her to sprint across campus just to catch up on two entirely different classes held simultaneously. Her presence almost became fleetingβa blur of a student who was there one moment, gone the next. On top of it, Labitoria had to face the silent anxiety of university policiesβaccepting the uncertainty that as a transferee, she might not even be eligible for Latin honors anymore.
βI've heard kato that transferees can't have a latin honor, and na-accept ko na sya since the day I transferred. But I continued to strive hard anywayβnot for recognition, but simply because I wanted to do my best,β Labitoria shared.
Prior to her undergraduate journey, Labitoria recalled testing her basic accounting knowledge online and scoring 2 out of 25 items.
βContrary to the beliefs people have of me, I am actually not a fast learner. There was a time I studied 1 page of a book for an hour kay di ko sya gets. Then, when it was discussed in class, ang seatmate ko, immediately nya nabuol ang concept. I was stunned and genuinely amazed kana. The only reason why I'm able to keep up is because I study in advance,β Labitoria said.
For Labitoria, topics and discussions in the BSA program are complex and fast-paced. To keep up, Labitoria adopted the mindset βIf I can't catch up to them, then unahan ko na lang sila,β by choosing to study accounting-related courses one week in advance.
But, the path she chose came with compromises, specifically in the form of time and personal freedom.
βI had to step back from social events and became less present sa gatherings with my friends. There were also periods where sleep and rest were compromised, especially during major exams and review periods, just to keep up with the demands of the program,β Labitoria added.
Graduating with any Latin honor, let alone becoming Class Valedictorian, was already out of Labitoria's pictureβyet when the final evaluation came, reality defied all her expectationsβshe was the Batch 2025 Class Valedictorian.
After her graduation, Labitoria decided to become a full-time reviewee for the LECPA. Yet, it wasn't easy. The looming pressure of passing the board exam while having a magna cm laude and class valedictorian status haunted her. But Labitoria pushed through, eventually becoming one of the 3,004 (30.83%) out of 9,745 takers who passed this year's LECPA.
βI was fortunate enough to have a strong support system. I told my parents nga di gid mag-expect kamayad because the LECPA, in general, is hard. I am sincerely grateful that they never pressured me and instead supported me throughout the entire journey. In fact, sanda ang rason that I kept going,β Labitoria shared.
Labitoria's journey proves that excellence isn't only reserved for the effortlessly brilliant, nor is it predetermined by how flawless one started. Her success was singlehandedly hammered out through sheer grit and effort, proving that being a transferee, an irregular student, or a slow-learner is never a dead end, but merely a different path to the top.
Now, as a licensed professional, Labitoria leaves a piece of advice for students who are still fighting their silent battles:
βThe road is difficult, but difficult roads often lead to worthwhile destinations. One day, you'll look back on these struggles not as reasons to quit, but as reasons you succeeded. There were many times I wondered if I would make it this far. But hey, here I am.β
Layout by Cornel John Amoroso
