AOC Welcome 2026 with Purpose, Reflection and Renewal

Alas Oplas & Co., CPAs opened 2026 with a meaningful pause through its January Breaktime, themed Salubong 2026: Reset. Renew. Relearn. The activity encouraged employees to slow down, reflect on their journey, and consciously choose how they wish to move forward. In a simple yet thoughtful virtual space, participants were reminded that growth begins with intention and that renewal is possible when we allow ourselves to begin again.

To begin the day, a Holy Mass was celebrated by Reverend Father Ogie Orpiada. He reflected on the wilderness as a symbol of life’s struggles and the search for meaning. He emphasized that true nourishment comes from seeing life through God’s perspective, as shown by John the Baptist in preparing the way of the Lord, which leads to growth, direction, and hope.

Following this, the host Marvin Cadapan extended a warm and gracious welcome to all attendees, offering heartfelt greetings to the employees. As part of the monthly program, the event included the introduction of new hires, the celebration of January Birthday and the recognition of employees reaching significant milestones to AOC.

In the #AOCWinstories segment, we feature two AOC members who recently completed their secondment in Australia: Erlyn Grace Adaoag, Manager from Santiago Branch and Ma. Krizelle Brutas, Manager from Ortigas Branch. They shared that the experience significantly contributed to their personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of courage, communication, adaptability, and empathy. Both expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity and support provided by the firm, noting that the program has positively shaped their perspective and career development.

The highlight of the January Breaktime was a meaningful webinar conducted by the firm’s trusted speaker, Ms. Cris Lorenzana, on the topic “Not Louder, Not Faster, Just Truer: Because How We Live Matters.” During the session, Ms. Lorenzana emphasized the importance of shifting from performance to awareness and alignment. She discussed how self-talk shapes one’s mindset and encouraged participants to respond to mistakes with compassion rather than self-criticism.

She also urged everyone to live more intentionally—prioritizing authenticity and choosing relationships that truly nourish them. As the firm moves into 2026, Ms. Lorenzana encouraged continuous resetting, renewing, and realigning with compassion, inspiring everyone to live more truthfully and purposefully.