Puto vendor’s son is 2nd in CPA exams …read the newspaper article shortly after the May 2016 CPA Board Exam results came out. Cor Jesu College community is ecstatic. It was barely a blink after Rodrigo R. Duterte, a High School alumnus from 1962, became the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines when Kimjames Manalo landed in the second spot of the CPA Board Exam results.
He would have been King James, as in the Bible, intimated Anastacio and Nelda, save for the sense of humility of the couple as they welcome their sixth child into their modest lives in Barangay Dulangan, Digos City.
Kimjames showed earlier on that he has the potential to achieve great things. A consistent salutatorian at the Ruparan Elementary School and then at the Ruparan National High School, he would go on to finish his Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Magna Cum Laude, in Cor Jesu College, in 2015.
Not a stranger to humble ways, walking to school, sometimes without any pocket money, did not deter this quiet but determined would-be topnotcher who managed to get a Benedictine scholarship to augment his funds for a college education.
Described as shy and studious, Kimjames is used to spending his time with his books and credits his success to preparation, focus and prayers. One day, he will have his own accounting firm, and return to his Alma Mater to teach the next generation of accountants.
He starts his career at the prestigious and world-renowned SGV & Co. Davao City Office.
Here’s to your continued success, Kimjames!