In a historic milestone for Capiz and Filamer Christian University (FCU), Rizza Mae Balasa, a graduate of FCU’s Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program, earned 8th place nationwide in the May 2025 Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examination (CPALE), as announced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on June 4.

Balasa achieved an impressive rating of 89.67%, making her not only the first-ever CPA board topnotcher from a Capiz-based school, but also the lone topnotcher from the entire Western Visayas region this year.

“Ever since I was young, I loved solving problems and working with numbers, so accounting seemed like the natural choice,” Balasa shared in an interview. “But I quickly realized it was more than just math, it required deep analytical thinking and critical decision-making. Still, I fell in love with it. It’s a challenging field, but one that offers strong career opportunities and stability.”

The CPALE took place from May 25 to 27, 2025, in various testing centers across the country. Of the 9,533 examinees, only 3,156 passed, yielding a national passing rate of 33.11%, according to PRC data.

Balasa, who hails from Barangay Cagay in Roxas City, credits her disciplined routine and support system for her success. “I made it a point to attend live lectures every morning, making sure I didn’t fall behind,” she said. “After that, I’d spend 3 to 5 more hours studying, answering review materials, preparing for the next discussions. But I also made sure to take breaks and rest. It’s important not to burn out.”

Aside from Balasa’s historic achievement, Filamer Christian University also recorded the highest CPALE passing rate in Capiz, with a 41.10% overall performance. FCU proudly produced seven new CPAs, including: Johuara Marie Falco, Michella Jane Apostol, Nathalia Bandiez, Kevin Cris Barred, Novie Thea Gervero, and Alyza Pamillaran.

Balasa’s achievement not only brings pride to FCU and Capiz but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring accountants across the region, proving that with determination, consistency, and heart, excellence knows no boundaries.