The 26th Search for Outstanding Accounting Students in the Philippines (SOASP), held in partnership with the P&A Grant Thornton Foundation, Inc., honored exemplary students in a culminating event on March 21, 2025, at the Makati Diamond Hotel.
Together with P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI) continue to recognize and nurture the next generation of accounting professionals through SOASP.
This year’s edition drew 455 students from 92 schools nationwide, with only 25 advancing to the final round.
Marjorie Mae Dy of the University of San Carlos emerged as champion. Placing second and third were Hannah Katrina de Vera and Vincent Michael Pacaña, both from Kingfisher School of Business and Finance. Rounding out the top five were Raymund Franco Satorre of Bulacan State University (4th) and Nicole Valerie Tan of UP Diliman (5th).
John Elrich Gamboa, also from UP Diliman, received a special award for achieving the highest score in the qualifying exam.
“This is not just about winning, but about the journey and the growth you’ve experienced along the way. Find joy in the process and let your passion shine through, because when you love what you do, success naturally follows,” said P&A Grant Thornton Foundation chairman and managing partner of P&A Grant Thornton Romualdo V. Murcia III.
PICPA president Roland Café Pondoc hailed the finalists as “champions of today,” while ACPACI EVP Marvin Madrigalejo described the event as “a testament to their abilities and skills.”
Now in its 26th year, SOASP remains a cornerstone initiative for shaping future leaders in accounting, instilling expertise, confidence, and integrity.
