MANILA, Philippines – Mike Ronnel Castro could hardly believe his eyes when he saw his name on the list of passers, and even more so on the roster of topnotchers, of the October 2025 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE).
 |
| Photo courtesy: Pampanga State University, Artchie Fernandez Consuelo (Facebook) |
Castro emerged as the Top 1 among thousands of examinees, earning an impressive 91.83%, becoming the first-ever first placer from Pampanga State University, his alma mater.
In interviews with various media outlets, Castro admitted that his achievement still feels surreal. Even at a young age, he had consistently been an achiever. His academic journey is decorated with numerous awards: he was valedictorian in elementary, graduated with high honors in high school, and finished summa cum laude in college.
He also actively participated in campus journalism, further shaping his discipline and communication skills.
But Castro’s path to topping the board exam was far from smooth. He shared that he struggled with several distractions while reviewing, such as noise and heat inside their home. Despite these challenges, he stayed committed to a strict daily study routine that helped him stay focused.
He reviewed from around 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., incorporating strategic breaks in between. After studying, he still made time for his girlfriend, talking to her from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. via phone call before going to bed at around 1:30 a.m.
According to Castro, maintaining balance between academic responsibilities and personal life was essential in preventing burnout.
When asked about the “secret” behind topping the CPALE, Castro said there wasn’t really any. Even before the results were released, he had already surrendered everything to God. For him, it was simply the perfect combination of faith and hard work.
Castro extended his gratitude to everyone who supported his journey—especially his family and friends who never stopped believing in him. With his historic win, he not only brought pride to his loved ones but also etched his name in Pampanga State University’s history as its first-ever CPALE topnotcher.
Congratulations, Mike Ronnel Castro!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express