By Mikee Natinga Norico
From L–R: Dr. Rozainun Haji Abdul Aziz, Professor at UniKL Business School (Accounting Section), Malaysia, and President of the ASEAN Accounting Education Workgroup (AAEW); Dr. Lorna T. Grande, CBA Dean; Eileen Pador, BS Accountancy 3 and Leader of Team Catch to Cost; Jicel Kate Marañon, BS Accountancy 3 and Member of Team Catch to Cost; Asst. Prof. Charis Emmelynn M. Bautista, Coach of Team Catch to Cost; Ernie Lagud, BS Accountancy 3 and Member of Team Catch to Cost; Prince Joshua Ferrer, BS Accountancy 3 and Member of Team Catch to Cost; Dr. Christine B. Golilao, Chairperson of the Accountancy Department; and Dr. Henly Pahilagao, Director of the College of Accounts & Business at Far Eastern University–Alabang and Honorary Treasurer of the AAEW, pose for a group photo following the 2025 ASEAN Future Sustainable Leaders (A-FSL) Case Competition – ASEAN Round in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Central Philippine University (CPU) proudly celebrates the achievement of Team Catch to Cost, a group of 3rd-year BS Accountancy students who secured 3rd Place – Senior Category in the 2025 ASEAN Future Sustainable Leaders (A-FSL) Case Competition – ASEAN Round, held on November 7, 2025, at Universitas Terbuka, Tangerang Selatan, Jakarta, Indonesia.
The ASEAN Future Sustainable Leaders Case Competition is a project of the ASEAN Accounting Education Workgroup (AAEW). The AAEW was founded in 2015 as organization that brings together accounting educators from across the ASEAN region, as a result of the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community. Comprised of esteemed accounting professors and lecturers from various ASEAN countries, the Workgroup serves as a collaborative platform aimed at enhancing the quality and consistency of accounting education throughout the region. It fosters academic exchange, promotes innovative teaching methodologies, and encourages research collaboration among its members. With its permanent Secretariat housed at the Universitas Padjajaran in Bandung, Indonesia, the AAEW has the goal of uniting accounting educators under a common goal and striving to elevate the standards of accounting education and contribute to the development of highly skilled accounting professionals in ASEAN.
Representing the Philippines in the regional finals, the team competed under the theme “Next-Gen ASEAN Sustainability Leaders: Driving SDG Impact Across Borders.” Their project, “Catch to Cost: NASFA’s Story of Adaptability and Sustainability,” showcased an innovative approach to sustainable enterprise, earning praise from judges and fellow delegates across ASEAN.
The team is composed of Prince Joshua G. Ferrer, Ernie D. Lagud, Jicel Kate A. Marañon, and Eillene D. Pador, all 3rd-year BS Accountancy students at Central Philippine University. They were coached by Asst. Prof. Charis Emmelynn M. Bautista of the Department of Accountancy, College of Business and Accountancy (CBA). The delegation was accompanied by Dr. Lorna T. Grande, CBA Dean, and Dr. Christine B. Golilao, Chairperson of the Accountancy Department.
In the ASEAN finals, teams were required to produce a 5-minute presentation video and deliver a live pitch in 10 minutes and undergo a 10-minute interview with the competition judges. CPU’s representatives competed against strong contenders from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Cambodia in the senior category.
BS Accountancy 3rd-year students secured 3rd place in the 2025 ASEAN Future Sustainable Leaders Case Competition held on November 7, 2025, at Universitas Terbuka, Tangerang Selatan, Jakarta, Indonesia, together with Dr. Lorna T. Grande, CBA Dean; Dr. Christine B. Golilao, Chairperson of the Accountancy Department; and their coach, Asst. Prof. Charis Emmelynn M. Bautista of the Department of Accountancy, College of Business and Accountancy (CBA).
Team Catch to Cost advanced to the ASEAN round after emerging as one of the top two Philippine representatives in the national qualifying round. In Jakarta, the team’s dedication earned them 3rd place overall, along with a USD 295 cash prize. The event featured an international conference in the morning, followed by the final competition rounds in the afternoon.
Despite their success, the journey to Jakarta was not without challenges. Preparations were disrupted by class suspensions due to Typhoon Tino, and their return to Manila was delayed because of flight cancellations during Typhoon Uwan.
Amid these challenges, the team remained determined and grateful, expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to bring honor to Central Philippine University and represent the Philippines among ASEAN’s finest. Above all, they emphasized giving glory to the Lord for their achievement.
The success of Team Catch to Cost highlights CPU’s continued commitment to developing globally competitive, socially responsible, and sustainability-driven student leaders. Their achievement not only demonstrates academic excellence but also reinforces the university’s mission of preparing students to innovate and inspire beyond borders.
For more information on Team Catch to Cost’s achievement, you may read their previous article here: CPU-CBA shines in ASEAN Future Sustainable Leaders Case Competition 2025.
To view the CPU-CBA video entry, ‘Catch to Cost: NASFA’s Story of Adaptability and Sustainability,’ visit the link below: