By: Joe-el S. Marcelo
The University of the Cordilleras (UC) recently became the center of financial excellence for Northern Luzon! On January 23, 2026, our campus proudly hosted the elimination rounds for the 25th Intercollegiate Finance Competition (ICFC), organized by the FINEX Institute of the Philippines.
A total of 107 schools participated nationwide, with UC serving as the regional hub for 12 competing institutions from Northern Luzon. Under the dedicated coordination of our Junior Financial Executives (Jfinex), the event saw top-tier student talent battle through rigorous questions provided by the CFA Institute. The high-stakes event was overseen by official judge Mr. Bobby Borromeo from the FINEX Institute of the Philippines.
We would like to recognize our very own UC Team for their hard work and participation in this prestigious event:
- Emma Heart D. Atulgid (BSBA Financial Management)
- Jocelle D. Farinas (BSBA Financial Management)
- Mikylla Erich C. Ebal (BSBA Financial Management)
- Chris Jericho B. Ordanza (BS in Accountancy)
Our students were guided by our expert faculty coaches: Mr. John Carlo B. De Leon, Dr. Joe-el S. Marcelo, and Ms. Renee Rose B. Flores.
While our home team showed incredible heart and preparation, Phinma University of Pangasinan and Kingfisher School of Business and Finance ultimately led the round to secure their spots in the national finals.
Emma Heart Atulgid, UC Team Leader, shared a valuable perspective on the experience: “We reviewed for days… nevertheless, we are happy that at least we earned a score as a team and just accepted the fact that if it’s not for us, it’s not”. Her teammate, Mikylla Erich Ebal, added that despite the nerves, the opportunity to compete with other top schools was an invaluable experience.
While the competition was fierce—with questions designed by the prestigious CFA Institute—the true story of the day lay in the growth and perspective of our UC representatives. Beyond the calculations, our students walked away with insights that bridge the gap between the classroom and the corporate world.
In their own words: Facing the CFA Rigor
Our team members, Emma Heart Atulgid and Jocelle Farinas, shared the hurdles they faced during the high-pressure rounds:
On Technical Challenges: Emma noted that Financial Ratios and Analysis required more than just math: “The questions required a deeper analysis and application… it was about understanding what they truly implied.” For Jocelle, the pressure was in the details of the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC): “One mistake in the equation will lead to a wrong calculation… we had to ensure we were using the right inputs under time pressure.”
On the “Host Venue” Pride: Hosting 12 other universities brought a unique sense of duty. Jocelle shared, “We were representing the face of our institution. We had to be responsible by ensuring that we were professional and hospitable.” Emma added that while they felt more visible and initially intimidated, they turned that pressure into motivation by leaning into the familiarity of their home campus to stay calm.
Lessons for the Future
The competition served as a powerful reminder that finance is an art as much as a science. Emma realized that high-level knowledge must be paired with application: “Finance and accounting is not merely memorization… this experience reminded me to stay curious, disciplined, and committed.” Jocelle took away a lesson in professional confidence: “Once we reach an answer, we shouldn’t overthink it. Trusting the logic behind our decisions is as important as the calculation itself.”
We are incredibly proud of our Jfinex officers who served as ushers and organizers, ensuring a seamless event for all our visiting delegates. Congratulations to all the participants for pushing the boundaries of financial literacy!
SDG Alignment
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Indicator 4.3.2: Public events (lifelong learning). By hosting national academic competitions, UC-CBA provides a platform for students and the community to engage in high-level intellectual exchange and peer-to-peer benchmarking.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Preparing students through high-level financial assessments builds the essential skills needed for employment and professional success in the global economy.
- SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals – Indicator 17.2.1: Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy. The collaboration with the FINEX Institute and the CFA Institute strengthens the link between academic institutions and global professional bodies to improve educational outcomes.
Photo by: Emma Heart Atulgid
