I was not
born with a silver spoon. My family raised me with modest means, my father, a 2nd
grader and my mother a high school graduate. As early as seven, I was already exposed
to laborious chores, like scrubbing the floor, fetching pails of water, washing
dishes, etc. Some of you can probably relate to that. And that probably is the
reason why I did not grow tall. J J. I graduated from Argao Central
Elementary School. I could vividly
recall walking to that school with only a pair of slippers and my net bag. Those
experiences developed my character, and at that young age, I already made a
choice that this is not how I want to live the rest of my life.
Life is
tough.
My father
met an accident sometime in 1990. My family’s little savings were gone thus my late
brother and I had to work. We rented a trisikad and namasada ming duha for the
whole summer. My brother’s earning for the day went to buy sud-an and mine to
buy rice. With that accident, I knew
that my parents couldn’t afford to send me to college. But I did not give in to
the circumstances. I had to persevere. Luckily, I got a scholarship for being
an honor student. 75% of my tuition was covered by my scholarship and the
remaining 25% shouldered by my uncle and my aunt who also took me in their
humble home. To return the favor, I had to do some errands and household chores.
My college
life was really a struggle. I was living
with 100 pesos a week. Food and pamlete included. I got by with the help of my
friends sharing their food/snacks with me.
Perhaps in my entire 4 years in college, I only had 4 pairs of jeans and
2 or 3 pairs of shoes. I could still remember going to USC with torn and buslot
na sapatos. My wife always teases me with this line “kaya ka bili ng bili ng
sapatos no kahit di mo ginagamit dahil gusto mong makabawi?” J J J.
But all these did not stop me from chasing a better life.
To cut the
story short, I exhausted all efforts for me to survive and finish Accountancy.
I was a working student for 2 years. I worked in the Library section 4 hours a
day, 6 days a week. I also became a scholar of the Commerce department just checking test papers for Mam Dabalos. Thank you very much Mam Dabalos
for the opportunity. You will forever be remembered. Thank you also to SGV
Foundation for giving out 2-year scholarships.
By the way,
my becoming a CPA was not planned at all. Initially, I wanted to take up civil
engineering. Nursing and Nautical were also in the list. But my uncle and my
aunt persuaded me to take a different path… and that is Accountancy. You will
be glad to know that they, too, are CPAs and are both graduates of USC.
For many,
starting a career can be challenging yet exciting. When I was still in the
review school, I could distinctly remember some of the reviewers advising us to
never get employed by accounting firms because we’d just get exploited - we’d be
working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So working in public sector was not an
option then. But see how funny life is? Few days after we got the results, my
best friend called me up and convinced me to visit SGV Cebu office. No intention to apply at all (we didn’t even
bring CVs) but just to see how the environment was or what the work would be of
a CPA. The partner met with us and showed us around. After a short conversation
with the partner, he asked “so when are you going to start?” I responded
without hesitation, “tomorrow”. So
that’s how my career in public practice started.
At first, I thought
of staying in the Firm for only a year but great opportunities came —trainings,
scholarship to an Executive MBA program and what have you—so my stint in that
Firm lasted for 10 years. The reason I stayed is because, as much as public
practice is laborious, it is a good training ground for managing stress, time
and pressure and of course for one’s professional development. The career path
is clear and the growth is much more rapid. Rising through the ranks in public practice is
quite smooth. You only need sufficient hard work, skills and diligence.
In 2005, I
had the opportunity to work in New York City.
A year after, I was given the National Chairman’s Award for
Excellence by PwC. Moving to NYC was a big and tough change for me but I was determined to take on the challenges. I continued to
aspire for a better life not just for myself but for my growing family.
I went home in
2011 and another opportunity opened up—a spot in Reyes Tacandong & Co.
where I finally made partner.
That brings
us to this day.
It’s almost
20 years and my journey is far from over. Yes, it was certainly a colorful story with
the trials and tribulations I encountered but I made a choice to go through it
and it was well worth it. My life continues to be very interesting,
challenging, sometimes frustrating but rewarding at the same time. And now, please
allow me to impart bits of wisdom I’ve learned over my two decades of
experience.
First, as
Stephen Covey wrote in his book, “begin
with the end in mind.”
Before
making choices, we have to make a conscious effort to visualize who we are and
what we want in life. As early as now, determine what you want to become, where
you want to be, and ensure that each choice you make is directed towards
achieving your dream.
If
you are that type who easily gets bored, public practice is for you. Your work
will not be routinary. You will work
with multiple clients that will give you the opportunity to gain increased
exposure to various types of business operations and industries. To me, only
public accounting can offer you that exposure.
Second, surround yourself with good people, people
who are close to success.
Choose to be
with people who will not hamper you down but rather empower you. Our environment is crucial in paving the way
to our destination. Borrowing the words from my managing
partner for audit services, “we are defined by the people we spend most time
with”. Thus, you have to be highly selective of the Firm or the Company
that you will keep or the Company where you will build and develop your career.
Working
in an accounting firm offers you the chance to work with or be exposed to
incredibly smart and successful people inside the firm (e.g. Partners,
principals, consultants, etc.) and outside the firm (e.g. Chairman/CEO and CFO
of the clients, politicians, prominent businessmen, etc.) You just have to take advantage of these
resources.
Third, give nothing less than your best.
Life doesn’t
give dole outs. Just because you want something, it doesn’t mean you will get
it. You have to earn it. Work for it and
give everything you’ve got to get it.
Fourth, maintain integrity.
Sometimes,
things will not go our way. There will always be factors that will affect our
decisions but no matter the situation is, we are not bound to it. Amidst
this changing world, there is no room for compromise to keep your reputation
intact. This is one legacy that our parents have passed on to us and which we
must pass on to our children too. Respect and recognition take years to earn
and develop but it only takes a day to lose them. As professionals, we are
guided by the Rules on professional Ethics and Independence. We just have to
comply.
Fifth, keep on learning.
Education
doesn’t stop in schools. New knowledge can be acquired in different avenues. In
our profession, we need to update ourselves with the current standards and
rules because these become our ace cards to raise our value at work. Accounting
firms offer you rigorous technical trainings and actual
experiences.
And last but
not the least, choose to endure.
We all know how life is. There will be ups and there will be
downs. But every time we stumble, we must rise. Never give up. Begin again. I
assure you all the hardships will be worth it. Always remember, it is not how far you have
come but how far you are willing to go.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us not forget the people who
helped you become what you are now - your parents, your family and your mentors
- your parents and your family for all the moral and financial support; and your
mentors for developing the foundation for you to meet the technical
requirements and the discipline necessary for the Board Exams.
Let me end this by
telling you that you cannot slow down and be complacent basking in the
glory of your success. Your topping or passing the Board Exams will definitely jumpstart
your career but sustaining the momentum brought by your success is another
story.
Once again, congratulations to you all. Have a long and
enduring journey to the Accounting Profession. And as you
enter this new journey in your life, choose to be GREAT!
Thank you."
