Everything was unplanned.

After our graduation, ang plano ko talaga is kumuha ng isang apartment near CPAR; huwag magtrabaho para makapag-focus sa review at mag-aral nang mag-aral. But His plans will always prevail. Last August, my father passed away. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko, ang alam ko lang, ako na ang tatayong haligi ng tahanan para sa mommy at sa kapatid ko. A few weeks after I graduated, may nag-offer ng job which is also my passion and I took it. Alam kong magiging mahirap na pagsabayin ang review at ang pagtatrabaho pero kailangan kong gawin to hindi dahil sa obligasyon kundi dahil mahal ko ang pamilya ko.

Maraming tao ang nagsabi na baka hindi raw ako makapasa dahil sa nagtatrabaho ako habang nagre-review. There are times na pinaniwalaan ko sila pero mas naniwala ako sa sarili ko at kay God. Napaka-toxic ng schedule ko, from Monday to Friday, gigising ako ng 4:30 am para makapasok nang maaga sa office. Around 6:00am nasa office na ako and then mag-aaral na ako until 8:00 am before mag-start ang working hours. Pagdating ng 5:00pm, uuwi na ako kaagad para maagang makauwi at masunod ang topics na naka-schedule for the day. Habang nasa biyahe, aaralin ko yung mga index cards, may mga key points and formula para hindi sayang oras. Kapag nakapatay yung ilaw ng vehicle, i-o-on ko yung screen ng phone ko and tuloy ang pag-aaral. Sa bahay naman, pinilit kong mag aral until 12:00 midnight or minsan until 1:00am para maaral ko yung mga hand outs na sasagutan sa weekend. (Weekend sessions po ako sa CPAR). Pagdating ng weekends, 4:30am din ako aalis para makapag-aral pa ako sa CPAR before mag-start yung sessions. And then the cycle continues.

May mga araw na gusto ko ng mag give-up dahil sobrang nakakapagod. Pero kapag tinigil ko to, para ko na ring sinukuan yung mga pangarap ng parents ko at ng pamilya ko para sa akin. Kaya, lumaban ako hanggang dulo. Habang papalapit ang board exam, mas lalo kong tinatagan yung sarili ko. Pero hindi na ako masyadong nakapag-practice ng computation. Pinilit ko pa ding mabasa ng ilang ulit yung mga index cards ko. Sa tuwing mafe-feel ko na gusto ko nang sumuko, titignan ko lang yung picture ng family ko at lalaban ulit.

One day before the actual board exam, kinabahan ako. Hindi ako mapakali. Ang daming "what ifs" sa isip ko. Nag-decide na ako na huwag ng pumunta at sa October na lang mag take. Feel ko kasi may kulang pa. Feel ko, kailangan pa mag-practice ng computation lalo na sa AFAR and sa Auditing. Kakausapin ko na sana sila mommy na sa October na lang ako mag te-take pero na realize ko na ang dami na naming na give up. Kaya kahit sobra akong natatakot, buong tapang kong hinarap ang board exam. Almost lahat ng questions ay first time ko lang na encounter. Kaya after ng boards, hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko.

Nung araw ng results, buong araw akong naghintay online. Gusto kong malaman kung naging enough ba yung mga ginawa ko. Around 9:30 pm nung nakita ko yung results and as I remember, nag-pray muna ako. "Whatever happens, I know that I did my best". Yun ang pinanghawakan ko. Nung makita ko yung name ko sa list, ang sarap sa feeling. Sobrang saya dahil nagbunga yung 2-4 hours na tulog ko everyday and yung mga sacrifices ni mommy and tatay para sa amin.

Ipakita mo kay God kung gaano mo kagustong maabot yung mga pangarap mo. Nakikita nya yun at alam niya kung gaano kahirap yung mga pinagdadaanan mo, pero tutulungan ka nyang malagpasan lahat ng pagsubok ng buhay.

Throughout my journey, I have learned these three important things:
1. Do not compare yourself to others. If there is someone you want to compete with, that is yourself. Strive harder to become a better individual that sees life in the most different way.

2. Focus on yourself. You have your own unique path to walk and your own beautiful story to tell. But do not forget to lend your hand to someone especially if they are asking for your help.

3. Believe in yourself. Never stop believing in yourself. Nothing is impossible. Keep the fire in your dreams burning and it will help you along the way.

God bless to those people who will be taking up the CPALE. I hope that you would all succeed in all of your endeavors in life!

Warmest,
Rence Paolo R. Pinoon
Certified Public Accountant
(May 2017 CPALE)

"Ever since, my parents believed that education is the greatest equalizer in this world that is full of uncertainties.

Kaya kahit hindi nila natapos ang bachelor degrees nila, pinilit nilang mapagtapos ako. Last year, before magstart ang actual reviews namin sa CPAR, I have stumbled upon the advertisement of iCPA regarding their review kit. It's around P3,500 that time and since magstart pa lang ako sa work, wala pa akong outright cash for it. Since gusto ko talagang pumasa, I decided to sell the smartphone that my parents had given me. Gift nila sakin yun ni tatay nung nakakuha ako ng mataas na GWA. Kahit na mahirap i-let go, I sold it na lang para mabili yung review kit and it turned out to be the best decision I have ever made.

Napaka-diverse nung review materials. I have encountered different types of questions from review centers such as CPAR, ReSa, PRTC, and CRC Ace. Nakatulong din siya sa toxic schedule ko sa work and review. Everyday, priority ko yung handouts ng CPAR and then after nun, I'll answer na yung review materials from the kit. The kit also included review books which also a great help.

iCPA played a great part on my CPA journey. I did it on my first take and I am really proud of it. Kahit na maraming nagsasabi na baka hindi pumasa or ma condi dahil may work, mas naniwala ako sa sarili ko and kay God. Once na maging CPA ka na, ma re-realize mo na hindi mo sole effort yan. It represents the sacrifices of all the people who have stayed and believed in you. And, hindi natin malalagpasan lahat ng trials sa buhay nang walang guidance ni God.

Sa mga mag te-take this Oct. 2017, just keep the fire burning! Trust your own pace; believe in yourself and God will do the rest!

P.S. Akala ko magiging madali pag naging CPA na, hindi pa pala; it became tougher. I'm still struggling through life but, I know that I can hurdle all these trials because of the experiences that I've had throughout these years."

THANK YOU SO MUCH iCPA! KEEP HELPING AND INSPIRING OTHERS!