The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Bahrain formally closed the fiscal year 2024–2025 with a milestone event on June 20, 2025, at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel. Spearheaded by current PICPA President Dr. Benson A. Castillejos and appropriately abetted by fellow officers, the activity brought members together to felicitate in the accomplishment of the year, capped off with an evening of acknowledgment, reminiscing, and rededication of leadership pledge.
Honoring Excellence: Outstanding Member Recognition
One of the highlights of the night was the Outstanding PICPA Members Award. The awards were presented to honor members who have demonstrated excellence, commitment, and dedication in their respective fields of endeavor. Nominations were made by all active members of the PICPA with adequate reasons given by the nominators and read during the ceremony.
All the awardees demonstrated a remarkable spirit of service and professional integrity, embodying the values of a true PICPA member. The recipients were: Entrepreneurship: Ms. Flora P. Medallon, CPA; Sports: Ms. Christin Joy S. Jor, CPA; Community Service: Ms. Rosemarie D. Hernandez, CPA; Socio-civil Commitment: Dr. Elpidio R. Quitevis, CPA and Corporate Function: Mr. Carlito M. Bugarin, CPA.
Each awardee received a plaque of recognition and delivered heartfelt messages of appreciation.
New Leadership for FY 2025–2026
Another significant part of the evening was the Election of Officers for the upcoming fiscal year, facilitated by the COMELEC, chaired by PICPA luminary and former President Dr. Elpidio Quitevis.
The newly elected officers for FY 2025–2026 (serving from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) are: President: Ms. Flora Medallon, VP – Internal Affairs: Ms. Joana Macam, VP – External Affairs: Mr. Joel Santiago, Secretary: Ms. Myla Santiago’ Treasurer: Mr. Rommel Ronda. Auditor: Ms. Chrystelle Mae Dometita, PRO: Ms. Mary Agnes Haydee Dabucol
The oath of office was administered by Mr. Carlito Bugarin, also a PICPA luminary and former President.
Keynote and Presidential Reports
The event featured guest speaker Dr. Zakir Hossen Shaikh, Assistant Professor of Accounting and Finance at Kingdom University, Bahrain, who presented timely insights on “Updates on Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).”
Outgoing President Dr. Benson A. Castillejos delivered the President’s Report, highlighting significant initiatives such as: Basic and Advanced Bookkeeping seminars in partnership with OWWA, The Annual Accounting Symposium every December, Participation in the Special Licensure Examination (SPLE), The chapter’s involvement in the bowling event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the successful hosting of the PICPA Middle East Convention in Dubai.
Treasurer Ms. Flora Medallon also presented her treasurer’s report fo the fiscal year.
The function was a huge success—touched by warmth, inspiration, and collective sense of pride for the success of last year. Attendees left with new energies for the coming year, one in harmony with the spirit of professional excellence and community service.
