2024

In pursuit of continuous learning and professional growth, SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Associate Director Michael Ranz Luigi G. Tabar has obtained multiple certifications. Ranz is now a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Professional (CAMP), Anti-Financial Crime Professional (CFCP), and Certified Audit and Investigations Professional (CAIP).  SGV FSO FinCrime – AML Associate Director Michael Ranz Luigi G. Tabar, CPA, CAMP, CFCP, CAIP Ranz completed a series of courses and modules and passed the respective online examinations for CAMP, CFCP, and CAIP. He was certified by the Financial Crime Academy, an external online education provider for the global anti-financial crime community, in January 2024. The CAMP certification enables professionals to enhance their organization’s AML capabilities and build up their career in financial crime prevention.  The CFCP certification is intended for professionals in departments and functions such as compliance, anti-financial crime compliance, fraud investigation, fraud detection, internal controls, fraud risk management, and internal audit.  The CAIP certification enables professionals to carry out an exhaustive investigation of a company or enterprise to find instances of misconduct by management, staff, or outside parties. Ranz quotes Ashok Veda, saying that upgrading one’s skills is not an option but a necessity. Congratulations, Ranz!

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Associate Renson John N. Chavez passed the Sept - Oct 2023 Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. The results were announced on 12 December 2023. FSO FinCrime – AML Associate Renson John N. Chavez, CPA, CMA Renson said that his journey toward getting certified was not easy but through prayers and motivation, he was able to strive and continue with his journey. The CMA title is a credential that represents enhanced expertise in areas of accounting and finance, with competencies in strategic thinking, business analysis, and leadership. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).  Congratulations, Renson!

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Associate Jason Fernandez won a gold medal in the 2024 Jager Manila Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship held on 13 January 2024 at Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati.  FSO FinCrime - AML Associate and Jiu Jitsu gold medalist Jason Fernandez Jason believes that building a strong body builds a strong mind and that experiencing hardship plays an integral part in his journey. As part of his training regimen, he also trains for wrestling and judo, along with his strength and conditioning program.  Jason has also garnered medals in other high-level jiu-jitsu competitions such as the Pan Asian, and International Open.  The 2024 Jager Manila Open Jiu Jitsu Championship was organized by the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation of the Philippines (BJJFP) in cooperation with Jager, one of Korea's largest competition organizers. Congratulations, Jason! 

The SGV Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) team hosted a Financial Statements Preparation Workshop on 30 January 2024 at the SGV Makati WSDC Training Rooms. The workshop was attended by 122 participants from 54 companies. The workshop aimed to share leading practices and guide the participants on preparing financial statements. Organizing team with FAAS Partners and resource speakers FAAS Partner Anna Maria Rubi B. Diaz and FAAS Leader Aris C. Malantic delivered the opening and closing remarks, respectively. FAAS Senior Director Jerwin C. Esquibel, FAAS Director Patricia Jazmin D. Patricio and FAAS Director Sheena Dyan C. Suarez led the discussions as resource speakers for the event.  The resource speakers talked about financial statements, their importance, components, preparation best practices, and amendments to Philippine Accounting Standards (PAS) 1 and Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) Practice Statement 2’s disclosure of accounting policies. They also shared MS Excel keyboard shortcuts and conducted a hands-on activity on preparing financial statements.  Workshop attendees FAAS Senior Director Alexander F. Bughaw, FAAS Associate Director John Andrew H. King, FAAS Administrative Lead Kristine Kaye E. Bacay, FAAS Senior Associates Liah Marie G. Concepcion, Niña Avanica E. Correa, Darren Alyssa D. Gonzales, and Jade Kenneth A. Calera and FAAS Associates Valerie Ann O. Dacanay, Dona Mae B. Domasian, Theresa Marie T. Roldan and John Froilan P. Vega were part of the organizing team.

SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula and SGV Tax Partners Hentje Leo L. Leaño and Atty. Maria Margarita D. Mallari-Acaban were resource speakers in a seminar organized by the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA). Around 180 locators, other CILA members, and clients from Clark, Pampanga, Subic Bay, and Tarlac attended the event held at the SGV Clark office on 25 January 2024. Atty. Margaux discusses CREATE MORE Bill Leo discusses EOPT Act Atty. Marga discusses BEPS 2.0 CILA Director Joyce Manansala delivered the opening remarks. CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva introduced the speakers. Atty. Margaux, Leo, and Atty. Marga discussed the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act, the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS 2.0) project, and the CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Bill. Dr. Frankie moderated the question-and-answer sessions and shared his insights on the topics discussed. He also gave the closing remarks. Leo, Tan, Atty. Margaux, Atty. Marga, CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva, Leo, and Peps MG7 Leader Jose Pepito “Peps” E. Zabat, Assurance Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Director David Jonathan “Tan” Manalili, and Business Tax Associate Director Atty. Ma. Jeanne Therese Marasigan were also present during the event.

SGV was recognized by the Chinese Enterprises Philippine Association (CEPA) as Outstanding Partner during CEPA’s 2023 annual meeting and new year reception held at the Bonifacio Hall of Shangri-la the Fort, Manila on 16 December 2023. SGV Chinese Overseas Investment Network (COIN) Leader Fidela T. Isip-Reyes and SGV Assurance Partner Jonathan T. Bino received the award certificate on behalf of the Firm. SGV Assurance Partner Jonathan T. Bino and SGV COIN Leader Fidela T. Isip-Reyes (third and fourth from left) with the other CEPA awardees SGV Certificate of Award from CEPA Representatives from the Philippine government, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Office of the Special Presidential Envoy to China, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs, and Philippine National Police, among others, attended the event. Also present were Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines representatives Ambassador Huang Xilian and Minister Counsellor Yang Guoliang, Filipino-Chinese business community representatives and more than a hundred members of the CEPA.

SGV was one of the sponsors of the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) 5th Sustainability Summit, an annual event that showcases the sustainability efforts and journey of its members. More than 150 participants attended the two-day summit which was held at the Makati Diamond Residences and the WSDC Training Rooms at the SGV I Building. (From left to right) GCNP Executive Director Octavio "Bobby" Peralta, SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, Co-CEO of Bayo Manila, Inc. Anna Marie Lagon, UNGC Regional Head for Asia and Oceania Neha Das, Nickel Asia Corporation President and CEO Martin Antonio Zamora, and GCNP Chairperson Ma. Victoria "Vickie" Tan SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan attended the by-invitation-only CEO Forum where CEOs discussed their vision, plans, scale-up activities, and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). In another segment, EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani talked about Sustainability Reporting.  EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani The second part of the program focused on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Reporting Standards. SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Katrina F. Francisco provided an overview of the IFRS S1 and S2 and a more a detailed discussion of the former. EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani provided a more in-depth discussion of the IFRS S2 and climate-related disclosures. KFF and Praveen also provided updates on the local adoption of these standards and their content requirements.  (From left to right) GCNP Chairperson Ma. Victoria "Vickie" Tan, CCaSS Partner Katrina Francisco, CCaSS Senior Manager Kevin Henson, CCaSS Senior Manager Fernando Salud, GCNP Vice-Chairperson Yayu Javier, and EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani Sustainability Summit participants CCaSS Senior Managers Kevin Henson and Fernando Jose Salud talked about climate risk assessment for physical and transitions risks in relation to climate-related disclosures. They also discussed climate hazards with relevant data and parameters and their potential impacts on businesses.

SGV Tax Principal Atty. Alden C. Labaguis assumed the position of Vice Chairperson of the Tax and Financial Services (TFS) Committee of The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) effective 8 January 2024. ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein confirmed Atty. Alden’s appointment on the same date through official correspondence.ECCP TFSC Chair Atty. Con Simundac (left) and ECCP TFSC Vice Chair Atty. Alden C. Labaguis (right) Atty. Alden works together with ECCP TFSC Chair Atty. Con Simundac, Lead Legal Counsel of ING Bank Philippines. The ECCP is a bilateral foreign chamber that promotes European interests in the Philippines and vice versa. As an organization with close to 800 members and a strong partnership with the government, the ECCP offers a strong business network that holds great potential in translating to tangible business opportunities. The Chamber strives to make its members’ viewpoints heard on economic and business issues, legislative measures, and administrative regulations. The ECCP recognizes that the financial and fiscal sectors play a key role in helping ensure inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. Subsequently, the implementation of suitable policies can help facilitate improved generation of funds as well as adequate allocation of resources. The ECCP TFSC engages with relevant stakeholders in initiatives towards improving fiscal and monetary policies including tax reform measures, as well as on improving inclusivity and security in the financial sector.

SGV Consulting Manager Jeffrey C. Yee is now a Certified Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt (GB) professional. Jeffrey received certification from the LSS external certification program sponsored by SGV for Business Consulting – Supply Chain and Operations in October 2023. SGV Consulting Manager and Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt professional Jeffrey C. Yee Jeffrey obtained the certification by attending a 56-hour LSS GB course, passing the written examination, and successfully completing and submitting an actual project study application. Lean Six Sigma is a recognized process improvement methodology thatis needed for foundational operational excellence skills for the Supply Chain team. This supplements the EY Supply Chain Internal Training and Industrial Engineering (IE) curriculum. This is also a preferred certification by EY clients. Congratulations, Jeffrey!

The SGV Dance Company (SGVDC) was hailed as the Ultimate Champions at the 78th Annual National Convention (ANC) of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) P-POP CON 2023: Pinoy Pop Dance Showdown! SGVDC won over both the crowd and judges as they performed their winning piece at the Sorsogon Convention Center.  78th PICPA ANC P-POP CON 2023: Pinoy Pop Dance Showdown! Champions SGVDC represented PICPA Metro Manila Region, sporting costumes that were styled in a visually satisfying contrast of ethnic fabrics against modern P-pop accessories. They won first place, while representatives from Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog regions won second and third places, respectively.  78th PICPA ANC P-POP CON 2023: Pinoy Pop Dance Showdown! Champions PICPA MMR Chair Sonia D. Segovia, PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan and PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura and the rest of PICPA MMR delegates joined the team in celebrating this achievement. The competition aimed to celebrate the rise of Pinoy pop culture globally by showcasing the dancing talents of PICPAns all over the Philippines using exclusively P-pop and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs.