Cause we make it so easy to win the Best Thesis Award

"Success comes not from having certainty, but from being able to live with uncertainty." — Jeffrey Fry

People often think success starts with having everything figured out—a clear plan, a perfect goal, and confidence in every decision. But in reality, success often begins with uncertainty. There are moments when we feel lost, unsure, and overwhelmed. For many students, this feeling becomes especially real during thesis season.

This was exactly the experience of Angel Love P. Cariaso, Aena Robyn A. Medina, and Kyle Antonette A. Sual, Accountancy students from De La Salle University. Like many researchers, they began their thesis journey with more questions than answers.

In fact, they initially worked on a completely different topic before eventually shifting their focus to local government units (LGUs). Even then, they struggled to determine what specific problem they wanted to investigate and how they could turn their ideas into a meaningful and measurable study.

Award-winning researchers (from left to right) Angel Love P. Cariaso, Aena Robyn A. Medina, and Kyle Antonette A. Sual during their thesis presentation.

As their research progressed, new challenges surfaced. Their ideas felt scattered, and they found it difficult to identify the appropriate statistical treatments and determine whether their theoretical framework aligned with their objectives.

They also struggled to translate important concepts into measurable data. Despite believing in the value of their study, they were not always sure how to bring their vision to life.That's when they sought help from Altabay. What started as a consultation on statistics became much more.

According to Angel, the guidance they received felt "almost like having an additional thesis adviser." Instead of simply providing answers, Altabay helped them understand the reasoning behind every statistical decision and guided them through the research process step by step.

Aena shared that Altabay became their "third mentor," helping them navigate complex statistical concepts while also strengthening their confidence in their study.

Meanwhile, Kyle emphasized how the presentation consultations helped their group anticipate panel questions, improve their slides, and become more prepared for their final defense.

The research team along with their Thesis consultants during their thesis presentation.

Their hard work eventually paid off. After months of revisions, data gathering, statistical analysis, presentations, and countless late nights, the group completed their academic journey at De La Salle University.

Then, during the university's recognition ceremony on February 20, 2026, they were honored with the "BSA Outstanding Thesis and SGV & Co. Outstanding Research in the Field of Auditing" Award for their study titled, "Beyond Politics: Assessing the Influence of Local Government Leadership Characteristics and Audit Opinions on the Financial Condition of Philippine Cities."

For the group, the award represented more than academic excellence, it was proof that every challenge they faced along the way had been worth their dedication and hard work.

As Aena shared, "Being awarded Best Thesis was simply a bonus. We were happy that not only our group believed in the significance of our study, but that others recognized its value as well." Looking back on their experience, the group rated Altabay's support a perfect 10 out of 10. More than helping them understand statistics, the team helped them gain confidence in their work and in themselves.

Their success did not stop there. In another milestone, the team also successfully passed the May 2026 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE), marking the beginning of a new chapter in their professional careers. Their story serves as a reminder to students that feeling lost and uncertain is a normal part of a research journey.

Their advice is simple: choose a topic that genuinely interests you, stay open to guidance from your advisers and statisticians, and trust the process.