Written by Maxene Rein T. Quisano
University of Baguio – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (UBJPIA) conducted the second phase of the first ever UBJPIAn Fest which is entitled “Nanay at Tatay Accounting Olympics (NaTaLympics): held last March 22, 2025, which has sparked excitement as 225 Bachelor of Science in Accountancy students participated and tested their mastery on the different board subjects.
The competition consisted of two parts which was further divided into four categories which was tailor made to assess the difficulty of the different board subjects. Part 1 which is The Accounting Aces League (TAAL) targeted its focus on all the board subjects, this was divided into two categories which are The Accounting Aces- which was opened for the 1st and 2nd year students and the Accounting Masters- which was opened to 3rd to 4th year students. Part 2 which is The Search for Audit MASterminds (SeAMAS) was focused on Auditing and CMA subjects; this was further divided into two categories which are the Audit Conquest which was opened for 3rd to 4th year students and the MAS conquest which was opened for 2nd to 4th year students.
The organizers successfully guided the event to triumph despite the large number of participants who joined the event. Making sure that all students are accommodated and the best experience possible was prioritized. Sixteen formidable students were awarded, including four NaTaLympics Geniuses namely Louie Philippe L. Obina (Accounting Aces), Micah Ruth Pascua (Accounting Master), Chreza Banes (Audit Conquest), and Gabrielle Shane Magtoto (MAS Conquest) who emerged victorious in each event.
The overall competition aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
SDG 4: Quality Education – The NaTaLympics created an innovative platform that goes beyond traditional classroom learning by testing students’ mastery of board-related subjects under competitive conditions. This nurtures critical thinking, academic excellence, and problem-solving abilities while fostering a culture of lifelong learning and self-improvement among accountancy students.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – By sharpening technical knowledge and professional readiness, the event equips students with competencies essential for their future careers in the accounting field. The training and recognition of skills through competitions prepare students to contribute meaningfully to the workforce, ultimately supporting sustainable economic growth.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The success of the NaTaLympics demonstrates the power of collaboration between student organizations, faculty members, and the larger UB community. These partnerships ensure that academic events are not only successful but also impactful, paving the way for shared goals of excellence, inclusivity, and student development.
The Phase two of the JPIAn Fest: NaTaLympics was continued in order to give tribute to the University of Baguio’s founders, celebrating their life-long dedication to academic excellence and the pursuit of perfection. The competition has not only been a platform where they can test their mystery and knowledge but also a way to enhance critical thinking skills of the students which has helped them gain invaluable experiences and lessons. The UB-JPIA aims to inspire the future generation of the accounting profession and foster a burning passion for life-long learning and self improvement.
