So, it’s cooking that is her passion, not numbers!

Having been assigned to write about the lady who leads one of the multiawarded departments in the Provincial Government of Bataan, made me nervous yet excited.

Meeting Mrs. Alicia Reyes Magpantay for the first time, listening to her talk about her humble beginnings, leading to where she is now, as Head of the Provincial Accounting Office, left me in total awe, especially as she beamingly shared her achievements which she hopes can serve as an inspiration for others to always be in their best form.

This quinquagenarian who celebrates her birthday every 14^th day of December currently resides in Brgy. Munting Batangas, City of Balanga, together with her husband Ricardo Mirania Magpantay (a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Balanga City) and children John Eric Paul and Jennifer May Alyssa.

An achiever since grade school, she graduated as an outstanding student at the Cataning Elementary School and as 4^th honorable mention at Tomas Del Rosario Academy where she finished her secondary course. Through the influence of her mother, she took Garments Technology at Bataan National School of Arts and Trades (now BPSU) and graduated with honors in 1980. Her insatiable thirst for knowledge pushed her to take up BS in Business Administration Major in Accountancy at Tomas del Rosario Academy and graduated Cum Laude.

In October 1984, she took the much dreaded accountancy board exams and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) the following year. Since old habits are really hard to break, she initially earned 48 units leading to Master of Arts in Business Administration at the Extension Classes of Bataan Educational Institution from 1995 to 1999 and finally completed it at Laguna North Western College.

Getting her present post as the Provincial Accountant didn’t happen overnight. Ma’am Alice, as she is fondly addressed, by her staff and other employees, rose from the ranks, so to speak. After her short stint as a secretary and cashier at College Assurance Plan, she had the chance to work at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office as Revenue Collection Clerk.

Her career as a public servant was interrupted when she decided to work in a private company, Nobel Philippines Inc.(NPI) as Plan Cost Accountant. Not long after, she was promoted to Acting Accounting Supervisor, but she was probably destined to become a public servant because of the closure of NPI in 1995, she once again found herself at the Provincial Government of Bataan as Accountant I. Her diligence and conscientiousness, paved the way for her to get a series of promotions until she became Management and Audit Analyst IV in 2001. Three years later, she got the position of OIC Provincial Accountant and finally as the Department Head in 2004.

Being at the helm, she sees to it that they perform their tasks according to their mandate which is the internal control of the financial transactions of the province. For this, they have received numerous awards and recognitions such as Most Outstanding Accounting Office from the  Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines last 2014 for having exemplary met the criteria of accuracy, timeliness, reliability and compliance to accounting rules and regulations set by the Committee on Awards. Ma’am Alice also received a Leadership Award from PICPA-National Office for the year 2009-2010 as President of PICPA Bataan Chapter for the said period. Right now, they are targeting to get the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) Certification for the financial processes of the Provincial Government of Bataan by the end of the year.

Aside from being the Head of the Accounting Department, she also performs different responsibilities in different organizations. She served as Chapter President of Philippine Institute of Certified Accountants (PICPA) – Bataan Chapter in the years 2003, 2005 and 2010. Currently, she is the secretary of the Government Association of Certified Public Accountant-Bataan Chapter and Provincial Government Association of Department Heads (Pro-GADH).

But wait, before we conclude that Ma’am Alice is the strict, no nonsense “all work, no play” type of person, the lady has hobbies, just like any typical woman. Despite her busy schedule at the office and at home as wife and mother, she finds time for her hobbies such as bowling and….yes! ….videoke jamming with her family. Her inclination to music is the reason why she loves going to concerts. She also confessed that she loves travelling and exploring the beauty of our country. To top it all, Ma’am Alice, the dutiful mom to Jep and Jam finally confessed that kitchen is her favorite place at home because of her passion for cooking.