Celebrating the All-Thankables: Recognition of Three International Professional Certifications
“Miguel Abas, Jr., CIA, CRMA is an Internal Audit practitioner for more than 10 years and currently based in Maldives as IA Manager. He is also holding a Master’s Degree in Accountancy (major in Internal Auditing) and a CPA and CISA certification holder”, the host read my profile during the IIAP Testimonial virtual event. It’s music to my ears. It’s hard not to be proud of yourself upon hearing such description while concurrently being announced to more than 300 online participants around the world. Couldn’t be more thankful for this proud moment.
Speaking of appreciation, December each year is proven and tested to be a festive month. Organizations worldwide are celebrating the holidays and other thanksgiving events for the fruitful year. So for the first two weeks of December, I attended two virtual events: (1) ISACA recognition of CISA Certification holders and IIA Certifications Testimonial.
I’ve been an ISACA member for a year now and I must say I really find the services being offered helpful to my career. On top of that, they’re also instrumental in achieving my dream to become a globally certified IT auditor.
Even when I’m already in the Maldives living alone and away from my family, I can still feel the warmth of my new org-mates through events and community extension programs even online. While I love the opportunity to build network with global and like-minded professionals, especially on things I’m not 100% familiar about, I also love the idea of professionals having fun and spreading cheers to all members when it matters most.
So, I spent my first virtual holiday celebration with ISACA Manila Chapter with a theme “Grinchmas Party” and it was a blast! Presentation of Certification Passers was part of the 3-hour program and I couldn’t be more happier with the online recognition.
The second anticipated event of the month was hosted by an important professional organization – to which I’m a member for more than 10 years – Institute of Internal Auditors Philippines. I find the theme “Celebrate the All-Thankables” perfect and fit for my personal experience this pandemic. I’m even surprised that for the period November 2020 – October 2021, I’m one of the only two people who got a double certification (both Certified Internal Auditor and Certification in Risk Management Assurance) in the Philippines. Next level, as the host claimed.
This also means that I’ve earned three international certifications, on top of my Master’s Degree Graduation (with thesis) for the same period mentioned above. I can definitely consider passing my CIA, CRMA and CISA as stupendous milestones in my professional career. There is nothing more rewarding than achieving your goals, setting new records and looking back to the hard work and where it can lead you. If you really want to make the invisible visible, DREAM BIG, HUSTLE HARD, and GO FOR IT! If you don’t, who will?
Of course, I would never get tired of saying “Thank you, God” because He never gets tired of answering my prayers in His own time. Blessing after blessing after blessing. Indeed, those blessings are sweetest that are won by prayer and worn with thanks. To God be the glory! 🙏
