Two graduates from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) placed among the top 10 in the May 2026 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE), as the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released results on Tuesday, June 2.
Out of 9,745 examinees, 3,004 passed the licensure exam. USJ-R’s Blas Miguel Villacampa Escarro ranked fourth with a rating of 90.67 percent, while Joan Alliah Mocoy Carilimdiliman placed tenth with 89.33 percent.
The top spot was secured by James Al Alcayde Serondo of the University of the Philippines Diliman, who posted 91.70 percent.
The two Cebuano topnotchers were formally presented during a press conference at the USJ-R campus on Wednesday, June 3, where they shared the discipline, preparation strategies, and personal sacrifices behind their performance.
Escarro, from Bogo City, credited his result to a highly structured routine that limited distractions and prioritized long study hours.
“I just set strict rules for myself. Since I am from Bogo, I didn’t go out to party, nor did I go back home,” he said, adding that he maintained at least eight hours of study daily.
He noted that while he did some last-minute review, his preparation was anchored on early mastery of accounting fundamentals developed throughout college.
“You can’t exactly call it pure ‘cramming’ because I had already laid down a solid foundation beforehand,” he said.
Carilimdiliman, from Mantalungon, Dalaguete, said her approach focused on consistency, guided by rest and structured review sessions.
“Getting adequate sleep was non-negotiable for me—I strictly kept eight hours of sleep. It is vital to prepare both your body and mind,” she said.
She relied on recorded lectures and problem-solving drills, emphasizing steady practice and strong fundamentals built as early as senior high school.
“When you are taking the actual exam, you always go back to the basics and fundamentals of accounting,” she said.
Both examinees said long-term preparation was key to their success, along with emotional discipline during the review period.
Escarro said he avoided external pressure by limiting outside influence, while Carilimdiliman said encouragement from family helped sustain her during difficult moments.
“Even when I lacked confidence in myself, there were people who had immense faith in me,” she said.
Carilimdiliman will fulfill a return service requirement tied to her scholarship, while Escarro plans to take a short break before deciding on his next step in the profession.
Both also highlighted sacrifices made during their preparation, including reduced social activities and strict study routines, alongside strong financial and academic support from scholarships and family assistance.
Beyond academics, they both leaned on faith and personal practices to manage stress during the board exam period, underscoring the discipline and resilience behind their achievement.
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