Jenzel John Montero Longno, a resident of Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, could not believe that his name appeared among the top 10 passers.
The new licensed accountant, who graduated from the University of San Carlos (USC) in June 2022, placed sixth in the licensure examination with a rating of 88.03 percent.
Longno, who graduated with magna cum laude honors, was born and raised in Zamboanga del Sur before he moved to Lapu-Lapu City to finish junior high school.
He told SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, that he did not expect to become a topnotcher as his ambition was only to pass the licensure examination.
“I was shocked that I am one of the topnotchers. I really do not know what to feel,” he said.
Longno said he will be taking a break from all the stress as he is also about to start his work as an auditor in an accounting firm here in Cebu City this month.
Another Carolinian graduate who landed in the Top 10 is Rica Mae Opindo Albiso, who placed sixth in the exam along with Longno.
Kyra Shane Bathan Buhia, who finished eighth with an 87.83 percent rating, said she feels as if her success was surreal after taking the grueling exam.
The Mandaue City native said there were people who expected her to become a topnotcher prior to the licensure examination, which brought extra pressure on her.
Buhia also graduated with magna cum laude honors and as the batch valedictorian. She is also from USC.
“No matter how many times people would say that you are good, sometimes, you would really doubt yourself. There are other people who will succumb to doubts, but never let your fears and any negativities affect your potential,” she added.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said Tuesday, May 30, 2023, that 2,239 of the 7,376 examinees passed the exam, which was given by the Board of Accountancy in 16 provinces in the country including Cebu.