CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — A story of perseverance, discipline, and gratitude unfolded with Mike Ronnel Diwa Castro, 20, of Barangay Sta. Teresa 1st, Lubao, Pampanga, topping the 2025 Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (CPA) with an impressive rating of 91.83%.
Castro, a graduate of Don Honorio Ventura State University – Main Campus, Bacolor (now Pampanga State University), has been a proud beneficiary of the Expanded Educational Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) of the Provincial Government of Pampanga since his third year in college.
Castro readily credited his achievement not only to hard work and determination but also to the “invaluable support” he received from the provincial government through the EFAP scholarship program.
He shared that the assistance he received allowed him to purchase essential review materials and other educational resources that helped him prepare for the licensure examination.
“Ang achievement ko pong ito ay hindi para sa akin lang, kundi pati na rin sa mga taong tumulong at sumuporta sa akin, at kabilang po kayo doon. Maraming salamat po,” said Castro, referencing Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, whom he credits for supporting students like him through accessible and inclusive education programs.
Behind his success were countless nights of exhaustion, anxiety, and hope but Castro’s journey stands as proof that perseverance, when matched with opportunity, leads to triumph.
His story is also a testament to the transformative power of the government’s education assistance programs, which continue to shape future leaders and professionals who bring pride and honor to the province.
Apart from Castro some 14,000 college students regularly received financial aid through the EFAP of the Pampanga Provincial Government to provide financial aid to deserving Kapampangan students, reaffirming its commitment to education as a cornerstone of progress and empowerment. Pampanga PIO/Contributed photos
