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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Banking & Finance devider Synergies in finance and real estate education

Synergies in finance and real estate education

Published May 5, 2026 12:01 am  |  Updated May 4, 2026 01:07 pm
AGANA, Guam – Despite being separated by thousands of kilometers, Guamanians and Filipinos are bound by a deep Pacific-Latino kinship. Centuries of Spanish and American colonization fused their faiths and flavors, while modern migration has woven their families together. This shared heritage creates a vibrant cultural bridge, especially with Fil-Ams comprising one-third of the island’s population.
Beyond cultural ties, Guam serves as a vital academic hub in the Western Pacific. The University of Guam (UOG) and local colleges attract students from across East Asia and Micronesia – fostering a unique exchange of ideas and empowering the next generation. In fact, UOG consistently represents the region in the FINEX Inter-Collegiate Finance Competition (ICFC) held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas headquarters in Manila. 
Since 2012, multiple teams from UOG’s Student Investment Club have tested their expertise in Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) topics versus Junior FINEX teams from major Philippine universities. Their strong track record as recurring ICFC finalists underscores the UOG School of Business and Public Administration’s commitment to world-class standards and professional integration within the international financial community.
Through its Global Learning & Engagement Department, UOG offers real estate courses and serves as the official testing site of Guam’s real estate and insurance examinations administered by the US territory’s Department of Revenue and Taxation. Pre-licensing courses are coordinated with the National Institute of Continuing Education and the Guam Real Estate Academy. 
In the Philippines, iACADEMY is recognized as the top performing school for the real estate broker and appraiser licensure exams given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Known for its specialized degrees that focus on technology and business, iACADEMY has achieved an unprecedented milestone in real estate education by consistently topping the PRC exams, such as the April 2026 licensure exam for real estate brokers, where it recorded a 100 percent passing rate. 
The Makati-based educational institution also produced seven national topnotchers in the recent exam, led by Mary Thea Bianca S. Bautista in first place and Jessica Lyn M. Buhain in second place. Others in the top 10 are Rudolf V. Andallo, Bahama A. Josue, Giovanni Y. Tianero, Sheryl T. Dela Torre, and Nikko J. Jeremias.
“Our achievement is a testament to both the individual dedication of our topnotchers and the robust support system and training we provide,” said iACADEMY School of Business and Liberal Arts Dean Dr. JV Padua. Meanwhile, iACADEMY’s President Raquel P. Wong attributes the school’s continued success to its strategic shift into high-value niche degrees like the Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Management (BSREM).
According to Wong, the need for highly skilled and licensed professionals has risen as the Philippine property sector continues to be driven by urban development and infrastructure investments, as well as the growing demand for residential and commercial spaces.
A collaboration between UOG and iACADEMY will create a powerful cross-regional bridge between finance and real estate management. Leveraging their roles as educational hubs, Filipino students could benefit from a twinning program where the board-topping BSREM curriculum is mapped against Guam’s licensing requirements. 
Synergies in CFA-level concepts and property valuation techniques can combine UOG’s strength in corporate finance with iACADEMY’s expertise in real estate appraisal – potentially leading to a joint certificate program in property fund management or real estate investment trusts. Complimenting this partnership would be a framework for student and faculty exchange programs focused on international business.
Guam’s identity is anchored by a massive military footprint – mirroring the historical and economic trajectories of Clark and Subic when the latter were still US Air Force and US Navy bases, respectively. Today, the parallel continues as Guam leverages its strategic location to replicate the freeport zone models of Clark Development Corp. and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. By prioritizing duty-free trade and investment incentives, the island serves as a commercial gateway that has transformed its military legacy into economic resilience.
J. Albert Gamboa is a Life Member of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) and Associate Member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. The opinion expressed herein does not necessarily reflect the views of these institutions and the Manila Bulletin. #FinexPhils  www.finex.org.ph

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