NEWLY elected Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Picpa) National President Randy Blanza leads the celebration of the 78th Picpa Annual Convention in Sorsogon on Nov. 22 to 25, 2023.

Fondly called Randz by his peers, the new leader of Philippine CPAs hails from Malilipot, the smallest town in the province of Albay. He is a walking miracle and a beacon of light to those who are not necessarily weak physically but weak in the strength of character — as both his legs are artificial.

He finished a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at Bicol University in Legazpi City, Albay, in March 2001, cum laude. In October 2001, he took and passed the CPA Licensure Examinations.

Juggling his work then as an internal auditor of a thrift bank in Legazpi City and part-time faculty member of Divine Word College, he took up law at Tabaco College in Tabaco City, graduating as class valedictorian in March 2007. He took the Bar in October 2007, passed the exam and took his oath as a full-fledged lawyer in May 2008.

He obtained his Master’s in Public Administration in 2015 at Bicol University and completed the academic requirements for PhD in Public Administration also at Bicol University in 2019. He likewise earned units for a Master’s of Law at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

Presently, he is the president of San Jose Community College in the Municipality of Malilipot.

Blanza also promotes financial literacy, social justice and environmental protection.

Despite his disabilities and growing up in a poor family, he is able to rise and show the world how courage and determination can lead a person to shine far above most of his peers and the rest of the world.