After college graduation, companies are swamped with applicants wanting to join the workforce among them SM scholar graduates.
For those who completed degrees requiring licenses from the Professional Regulation Commission, they aspire to hurdle the licensure examinations and devote time to review for such. After all, a license is something that is advantageous and gives them an edge over other applicants in their chosen profession.
In the recent Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examinations held last May, three SM scholar graduates ranked among the top-notchers: Angle Jean Bagacay (6th), Steven Brielle David (8th), and Fermina Kassandra Dela Cruz (12th).
For the three new CPAs, the lessons they learned as SM scholars helped in their preparation and eventual passing of the board examinations.
Angle Jean G. Bagacay who hails from Tampakan, South Cotabato graduated in 2025 from the Mindanao State University-General Santos City. She completed Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
Bagacay shared her stint as an SM scholar inspired her to dream bigger. “With SMFI believing in my potential and investing in my future, I have learned to be more confident in my abilities because I became part of a community that empowers financially challenged yet deserving students to achieve their dreams,” she said. “I carried this lesson with me throughout my CPALE journey as a form of self-affirmation whenever I felt anxious. Of course, there was always pressure to perform well, but over time, I learned to see the brighter side of it — that pressure is a privilege because it comes to those who earned it,” she added.
Passing the CPALE and being among the top passers was surreal for Bagacay. “I remember refreshing the site several times just to make sure it was real and not some kind of system error”. It was a gratifying and humbling experience for her as well as relief to know that all the hard work, sleepless nights and her parents’ sacrifices paid off.
It also led to offers from different auditing firms nationwide, including firms she had dreamed of joining since her college days. “I was honestly surprised to realize that I now have many paths to choose from depending on the career I want to pursue.” Beyond the career opportunities, “this achievement also gave my family a stronger sense of security and hope for the future.”
Bagacay intends to join an audit firm and explore opportunities to pursue further studies or contribute to the academe.
Another board passer is Steven Brielle S. David from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. He obtained his BS Accountancy degree magna cum laude from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in 2025.
“My SM scholarship inspired me to work harder, persevere through challenges, and strive for excellence in everything I do,” he said. He admitted he encountered challenges pursuing his college degree and formal review for CPALE. But he wasn’t disheartened and considered these setbacks as stepping stones to achieve his dreams. “I am blessed to have received support from SM Foundation, and I always use that support to rekindle my passion and keep myself focused on my goals,” he added.
On passing the boards and being one of the top-notchers, he shared: “I burst into tears and was comforted by the embrace of my parents and siblings. Those tears signified the
culmination of my academic journey and the realization that I could finally move on to a
new chapter of my life—as a professional. I am very grateful to God for hearing my prayers and being with me throughout college, during my review phase, and during the
actual board examination. It feels surreal because I used to daydream that maybe,
someday, I could also become a topnotcher, and now I am living that dream. I cannot
stress enough my gratitude to my parents, family and friends, professors and lecturers,
and the SM Foundation for helping me realize this dream. I am especially thankful to the
Foundation for seeing my potential and trusting in my capabilities.”
Aside from the recognition of being a board passer, David sees this achievement as an inspiration to uphold excellence and integrity as he begins his journey as a professional. He hopes to
take on leadership roles and mentor aspiring accountants as one of the means of paying it forward. “I want to build a career that is founded on excellence, integrity and service while creating a good impact on the people and communities,” he said further.
Meanwhile, for Fermina Kassandra D. Dela Cruz of Malolos City the scholarship instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility, discipline, perseverance, and gratitude. Graduating summa cum laude in 2025 from the National University – Baliwag with a degree in Accountancy, she said SM scholars are always reminded to do things for social good and to make the most of every opportunity entrusted to them.
“I saw preparing for and eventually passing the board exam as my way of giving back and honoring the people and institutions that carried me through my journey, and that includes SM Foundation. The review process was demanding and filled with challenges, but the resilience and determination I cultivated as an SM Scholar enabled me to remain consistent, adapt to setbacks, and stay focused on my goals.”
While she was among the top performing examinees, she said the review season was not easy and there were moments of exhaustion, self-doubt and unexpected challenges. “But because I knew that my success was never just for myself, I kept going. The values I learned as an SM Scholar reminded me to remain committed, persevere through difficulties, and maximize the opportunities that came my way. In many ways, passing the boards was not only a personal achievement but also my expression of gratitude to everyone who believed in me.”
She was overwhelmed and speechless when she learned she passed the board exams. “I couldn’t fully process what I was feeling at that moment. Unlike the reaction videos I often see online, I didn’t have an emotional breakdown or a crying moment. I think it was because I was experiencing so many emotions all at once—overwhelm, gratitude, immense happiness, and the realization that every sacrifice and hardship had been worth it. I also feel like I had already cried all my tears during the review season.”
According to Dela Cruz, more than anything, it as the result of countless prayers, sacrifices, and the unwavering support of the people who believed in her. It was a humbling reminder that no achievement is ever accomplished alone.
Like Bagacay and David, being a board passer has opened many opportunities for Dela Cruz. “I see it as motivation to continuously strive for excellence, uphold integrity, and remain committed to lifelong learning. I also hope to use this achievement as a platform to inspire and mentor aspiring accountants, showing them that success is attainable through hard work, determination, and faith.”
