REO Testimonial Dinner Honors May 2025 CPALE Passers with Inspiring Guest Speakers

The REO Testimonial Dinner held on July 8, 2025, at Rizal Park Hotel was a night of celebration, inspiration, and recognition for the newest Certified Public Accountants of the Philippines. The event gathered successful CPALE passers, distinguished guest speakers, and top representatives from the accounting profession to honor the remarkable achievements of the May 2025 CPALE batch.

Among the highlights of the evening were the keynote addresses from two highly respected leaders in the accounting profession: Mr. John Nai Peng Ong, CPA, MBA, Chief Financial Officer of SM Prime Holdings Inc., and Ms. Heidi Mendoza, CPA, former Commissioner of the Commission on Audit and former United Nations Undersecretary-General for Internal Oversight.

Mr. Ong shared insights from his corporate leadership experience, emphasizing discipline, humility, and lifelong learning as vital keys to success in the profession. Meanwhile, Ms. Mendoza delivered a heartfelt and moving speech, encouraging young CPAs to value integrity and purpose in their careers. She reminded the audience that a CPA license is not only a credential but also a lifelong responsibility to uphold public trust and stand for transparency and accountability.

The celebration also featured a special message from Sir Rex Banggawan, CPA, MBA, CEO of REO CPA Review, who inspired the new CPAs with his words on perseverance, humility, and the pursuit of real excellence. Adding a lighthearted touch to the program, Ms. Russelle Garcia, a TikTok personality and accountancy student, entertained the audience with a relatable and humorous talk.

Awards were given to recognize the outstanding performance of top achievers:

• Top 11 to 20 received plaques and medals.
• Top 1 to 10 were honored with plaques, medals, and cash prizes, with the Top 1 receiving a grand reward of ₱1 million.

All REO reviewees who passed the CPALE were also given official REO sashes and certificates to mark this milestone in their professional journey.

The evening was more than a celebration of success. It was a reminder of the values that define the accounting profession: perseverance, integrity, and excellence. REO CPA Review takes pride in being part of the students’ journey and looks forward to their continued success as future leaders in the field.