Like embers glowing brighter together, the Laguna University – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (LU-JPIA) commenced its first organizational event with the BSA Reorientation on August 28, 2025, at the LU Covered Court. With the theme “Ignition of the Silent Fire: The Rising Embers of the New Federation,” the assembly gathered Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) students from all year levels to welcome and inform freshmen, reconnect with continuing students, and remind everyone of the greater purpose behind the BSA program.
Acting Dean of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), Ms. Katrina Clare Labios, MBA, inspired the students as she opened the assembly with a message of encouragement to the aspiring accountants to nurture their dreams, reminding them that even the smallest spark of determination can grow into a guiding flame that shapes their journey and motivates others to follow.
“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” she shared.
Following this, Ms. Judean Majella O. Monfero-Brosas, CPA, MBA, reassured the students that fear is a natural part of the growth process. She emphasized that what truly matters is learning to face those fears while still moving forward.
Meanwhile, the new LU-JPIA Adviser, Ms. Josie C. Jaime, expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her as she officially assumed her role. She highlighted that LU-JPIA is not only about academic excellence but also about friendship, leadership, and discovering what students can achieve when they work together.
Despite his busy schedule for the day, Laguna University President Dr. Charlemagne G. Laviña delivered a heartfelt aspiration that stirred the hearts of the BSA students. With conviction, he said:
“𝘛𝘶𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘱 𝘬𝘰… 𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘨–𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘢 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺—𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘱 2, 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘵𝘰𝘱 3, 𝘬𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 1. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮.”
His words, filled with pride and confidence in the students’ abilities, served as both a challenge and a reminder that with dedication and perseverance, JPIAns can bring honor not only to themselves but also to Laguna University.
The assembly also introduced the new set of LU-JPIA officers for Academic Year 2025–2026, who will carry the responsibility of leading their fellow accountancy students with integrity, fostering academic excellence, and upholding the values of camaraderie within the organization.
One of the most meaningful moments of the assembly was the pinning ceremony of the 4th-year students, who also took their oath of commitment. The pins symbolized not just their seniority, but their readiness to shoulder greater responsibilities as they draw nearer to the CPA journey.
The discussions that followed gave students a clearer picture of what it means to become an accountancy student and part of LU-JPIA. Highlights included an overview of the BSA curriculum and retention policies, upcoming academic and non-academic activities, the benefits of LU-JPIA and NFJPIA membership, and a transparent breakdown of membership fees for the two semesters. Students were also encouraged to value feedback and suggestions through post-evaluation forms, reinforcing that every activity is not only an event but also a learning experience that strengthens the organization.
Intermission numbers from different year levels and a special performance by LU Music and Band Society (LUMABS) added energy and joy to the program, proving that JPIAns carry not only analytical minds but also creative talents. Certificates of appreciation were also awarded to LU-Frontier, LUMABS, and LU-Management Information System for their invaluable support.
But just as the program was nearing its close, the skies opened. Heavy rains and flooding interrupted the flow, and soon the venue was filled not with speeches but with the loud sound of the downpour. Though the event had to be cut short, the officers continued, awarding winners of the intermission numbers and inviting everyone to capture memories on stage before safely heading home.
What could have been a disappointing ending became a symbol in itself: even when faced with setbacks, the spirit of LU-JPIA stood resilient. The fire did not go out; it merely found another way to burn brighter.
In the end, the event showed that beneath the struggles of accountancy students lies something deeper — a silent fire that continues to burn in every LU-JPIAn. And with every challenge, every meaningful gathering, and every dream, that fire is only fanned stronger.
As a testament to the unity and camaraderie of LU-JPIAns, out of 168 expected attendees (excluding officers), 160 were present, marking a 95.24% attendance rate. When accounting for the presence of the LU-JPIA officers, the total number of attendees reached 172 out of 180, resulting in an overall attendance rate of 95.56%. Moreover, evaluation form participation was at 100%, with all 160 attendees accomplishing the post-activity evaluation.
by: Angela Mae M. Dimacali
