In a previous article, we shared that the top 1 notchers of the May 2017 CPA Boards are cousins. #familygoals, right? That’s not all! Because Vianca Pearl Amores, basically win in many aspects – her boyfriend, Ervin Cavalida, is also a part of the Top 5 Notchers, but of last year’s CPA Board Examinations.
WHEN IN MANILA was able to get in touch with the couple for further details.
WIM: Are you also a graduate of the University of San Carlos?
EC: Yes, [we took the] same course. I was also the summa cum laude last year and she was last April on her’s.
WIM: How long have you guys been together?
EC: More than 2 years already. We were together in various accounting quiz bowls. That was how we met.
VA: We met during one of the quizbowl practices we had. He was the representative from the 4th year while I was the representative from 3rd year.
WIM: How did you two prepare for the CPA Board Exam, given that you took it ahead of her?
VA: We have very different study habits. Ervin likes studying without taking a break but he doesn’t study every day. I like to take 15-minute breaks every hour when I study. I also study every day.
EC: We have our own styles of studying and favorite subjects, but we study non-stop for any day. When I prepared for my exams, our dates were just study outs. She helps me with taxation, the subjects she masters. Now this year, I was there to help her with audit subjects. We just support each other every step of the way.
VA: I was the more understanding one during his review days and he was the more understanding one during mine. Sometimes I feel like siya yung most understanding all the time. Haha!
WIM: Were you together when you found out you passed the Boards (last year), and were you with her as well last night when (when the May 2017 CPA Board Exam results were released)?
EC: Last year, when I placed 5th on the Boards, she was with me the whole day – we were on a date. However, she was not longer with me when the results came out because we already separated ways for the night. My results came around 1 o clock in the morning. Yesterday, we did the same routine and ate in the same restaurant similar to last year’s for good luck. It was truly good luck that I was with her because the results came earlier this year.
VA: I felt very happy and blessed. God is so good. [Ervin] was also very happy for me. It was a very precious moment.
WIM: Vianca, what are you planning to do now that the results are out? Do you plan on pursuing law, start work, etc.?
VA: I’m planning to work for an audit firm.
EC: We’re both scholars of the accounting firm, SGV & Co. But for now, she’s off to take a short vacation in Europe.
WIM: University of San Carlos dominated the Top 10 as well as the Board Exams in general in terms of passers.
VA: It makes me very happy to see my batch mates excel. I’ve been with these guys for 5 years and we have grown very close. Ang goal talaga namin is that no one gets left behind. And we achieved that because of God!
EC: Yes. For the past 8 years our school has been sending at least 3 placers including 5 for 2015, 6 for 2016 and 6 for this year. All those years we were asking for a top 1 to complete it all. We have been very grateful for the value education that the school have been doing all those years.
WIM: What advice can you give for our new CPAs as well as aspiring ones?
EC: Study hard and focus on your dreams. Set your priorities straight and put love in what you do.
VA: Always remember God’s presence. This definitely helped me as I took the exam. I wasn’t nervous at all because I know God will give me a happy ending.
University of San Carlos served as the Top Performing School for this year’s CPA Boards at 94.29% passing rate, while De La Salle University – Manila and Ateneo de Naga University came right behind at 85.87% and 80.39%, respectively, according to Summit Express.
You may view the full list of passers here.
Congratulations again to the power couple who are now both CPAs!
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: WheninManila.com does not own these photos. Photo credits go to Mr. Ervin Cavalida.
