January 31st: Jobs '07 opened doors for employment to UST students. The same day, SGV & Co. had their company presentation to graduating B.S. Accountancy students. Then and there, it reminded me that we have always been special not only in the eyes of auditing firms, but in all companies who would like to get graduates from "reputable" schools.
To those who do not know, SGV & Co. is considered the top auditing firm in the country today. Of the three founders, Sycip and Velayo are UST Alumni. Two years ago, UST created the College of Accountancy in compliance with the law and DepEd. UST also decided to name the college after Velayo who had just received his award as an outstanding alumni of UST. Thus, the name UST Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy.
UST has been doing very good in CPA Board exams that UST achieved the Top 1 Passing Rate for Category A (schools with 100 and above examinees) in 2004 and maintained it in 2005. Passing rates for yearly October Certified Public Accounting Examinations were 52% in 2002, 74% in 2003, 78% in 2004, 86% in 2005, and 75% in 2006.
Indeed, Accountancy students of UST are highly competitive, even with its unique curriculum. A UST Accountancy student would spend 4 years and 2 summers or 10 semesters with a 5-year program equivalent. This is the main reason why in UST, only BS Accountancy students take their graduation rites on May every year and take the October CPA board exams instead of May. [Employers, please take note of that.] However, only auditing firms are most aware of this -- specifically the top 5 who are active in welcoming company visits and having company presentations.
During the job fair, I felt that the HR employers of every booth were wondering on the fact that Accountancy students were writing "May 2007" as date of graduation instead of March. And while we are still trying to explain to them the reason, we also need to emphasize that we are only available for employment after the October 2007 CPA Board exams. It was very time-consuming.
But I did not mind. After all, I have laid out my plan. For the past 2 years, I intended to be employed by Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A) for reasons that only I know. It has been my long-term goal and there is nothing that could change my mind about it (even if Mr. Velayo would expect me to be at SGV -- I owe him his kindness and his calling card).
I have not passed my resume in any other auditing firm other than P&A. I have not submitted my application form in any bank as well. I choose to work in a private company if I am not able to make it in P&A. Again, I have my own reasons.
And though I did not to apply at SGV & Co. and I owe Mr. Velayo his name, reputation and goodwill on my college's name, I still believe that I have my own freewill to create my future.
And whatever happens, I am proud to be a Tomasian!
God bless and good luck to all graduating students! 
