'Like other 'pandemic batches', [Allaine] struggled with the setup but chose to persevere to achieve her main goal: To be at the top ... It was not at all an easy feat. There were many difficulties and setbacks along the way but Allaine remained motivated and determined.'
Passing a licensure exam is one of the biggest and proudest moments of a graduate. Bagging the first place as the overall topnotcher is the ultimate cherry on top, a feat many want but very few achieve.
A Calbayog native conquered Top 1 during the recent Certified Public Accountant Licensure Exam (LECPA) conducted on September 30.
Allaine Collamar of University of the Philippines Tacloban, daughter of an elementary school teacher and a loving stay-at-home dad made the whole region proud after placing first with an average of 91.17.
Another iska from Tacloban, Aira Nicole Saburdino, also garnered a post among the passers placing No. 7, with an average of 89.00. 'Iska' is scholar ng bayan.
Main goal
Allaine, who is the youngest out of four siblings, was also forced to be on her own after leaving the comforts of her home as she adjusted in her new life in Tacloban City, five hours from where she grew up in Calbayog City, Samar.
“I have no choice but to be independent. Good thing, I had college friends who also lived away from their parents. We gave comfort to each other,” she said.
For Allaine, her preparation started the very moment when she entered UP as a BS Accountancy student.
Like other “pandemic batches”, she struggled with the setup but chose to persevere to achieve her main goal: To be at the top.
“Studying in a remote setup for years because of the pandemic and choosing to be a pure online reviewee was challenging and required a lot of the ingredient called 'self-discipline',” Allaine said.
It was not at all an easy feat. There were many difficulties and setbacks along the way but Allaine remained motivated and determined.
Raising a fighter
Growing up in Calbayog, the Collamars barely afforded any luxury. They only spend on things they truly needed.
At a young age, Allaine witnessed the struggles of their parents if only to provide for them.
“The hardships were also (among) my motivations to study hard seeing that my parents go above and beyond to provide us with our needs even if it meant sacrificing theirs.”
“The challenges I experienced growing up made me stronger, that's why even if being an accountancy student was difficult, giving up was never my option because I was raised a fighter,” Allain told Opinyon 8.
A new chapter in life
After struggling for years without a break, Allaine said she could finally enjoy free time without feeling guilty.
After a respite, she now hopes for a better and new chapter in life —in the profession she had always been eyeing.
“I am looking forward to starting my career and putting into practice all the theoretical lessons I've learned in class.”
Allaine shared that she will soon be joining an audit firm in Manila.
From the province to the Metro, Leytenos and Samarnons hope to witness where the professional path of Samar’s CPA Topnotcher is leading.
She did Samar and UP proud!
#OpinYon8 #CoverStory #FinallyATopNotcher #Top1 #CertifiedPublicAccountantLicensureExamination #LECPA #AllaineCollamar #UniversityOfThePhilippinesTacloban #UPTacloban #AiraNicoleSaburdino #OpinYon #WeTakeAStand