August 2023

SGV Transaction Diligence Partner and Asian Institute of Management (AIM) alumnus Miguel Carlo “Mickey” S. Rancap was a speaker at the inaugural General Assembly of the AIM Management Consulting Club on 5 August 2023 at AIM. Over 130 AIM graduate school students attended the event. Mickey talks about becoming better business advisors In line with the General Assembly’s objective to inform and inspire, Mickey talked about client-centric behaviors that help one succeed as a business advisor. He shared that every conversation that business advisors have with their clients is an opportunity to advance the relationship, to build trust, to get to know them and their business better. Mickey emphasized the need to cultivate a client-centric mindset that embodies behaviors such as asking better questions, listening proactively, relating empathically, and contributing insightfully. AIM Management Consulting Club Inaugural General Assembly attendees He also mentioned that business advisors should not only provide technical expertise but should also align with the clients’ needs that are broader in focus and more strategic in nature. He added that this will provide the opportunity to enhance, augment, and improve their client relationships. Mickey concluded that a business advisor's role is to utilize a strategic approach to better understand the clients’ issues, and help clients achieve their objectives and address their pressing problems. The business advisor does not only provide answers; he shows clients how to arrive at the most logical and conclusive solutions. Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Associate Director William Angelo G. Lim, a fellow AIM alumnus, also attended and supported Mickey during the event.

SGV’s Financial Services Organization (FSO) team hosted its fourth episode of FStOries with the theme “A Mother’s Unconditional Love” simultaneously at the e-Café and via MS Teams. In celebration of Mother’s Day, it featured Partners who are also mothers. More than 100 participants attended the event. (From left to right) Francis, Janeth, Marga, and Janet at the FStOries Episode 4 session FSO Leader Christian G. Lauron welcomed the participants to the event. FSO Assurance Leader Janet S. Alvarado-Paraiso and FSO International Tax and Transaction Services (ITTS) Advisory Principal Ma. Margarita “Marga” D. Mallari-Acaban were the panelists while Wealth & Asset Management (WAM) Leader Ray Francis C. Balagtas served as the moderator. FSO Partners with in-person participants Janet and Marga talked about the challenges, lessons, and memorable experiences that come with motherhood and shared some advice which helped them get through difficult times. They also talked about their motivation to move forward and advance their careers as professionals concurrent with their commitments and responsibilities at home.  Banking & Capital Markets (BCM) Leader and FSO People Champion Janeth Nuñez-Javier delivered the closing remarks, where she thanked everyone for attending the event. There were also treats served after the session.

Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Angeles City Chapter officers paid a courtesy call on SGV Clark Partners and staff on 21 July 2023. SGV Clark team with PICPA officers The SGV Clark team was led by SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge Margaux A. Advincula. Members included MG7 Leader Jose Pepito Zabat, Tax Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño, Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, Associate Directors David Jonathan Manalili, Ezra Yumul, and Elgina Rito, and Senior Associate Angelie Marcelo. They met with PICPA Angeles City Chapter President Aira Vanessa Berces-De Guzman, Public Practice Director Marielle Pamintuan-Palo, Commerce and Industry Director Julyn Nyril Tiatco-Santos, PICPA Angeles City Secretarial Leilani Pablico, and Treasurer Donald Yanga. The teams discussed possible projects, programs, collaborations, and thought leadership activities between the PICPA Angeles City Chapter and SGV Clark. 

SGV signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Surigao Del Norte Provincial Government to produce the Doing Business in Surigao del Norte publication. The MOA was signed on 8 August 2023 by SGV Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan and Provincial Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers. SGV and Surigao Del Norte MOA signing  District II Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers, Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves L. Dumlao II, and SGV Strategy and Transactions Partner and Government and Public Sector Leader Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed signed the MOA as witnesses.  SGV Partners and Surigao Del Norte public officials during the MOA signing Wilson delivered the welcome remarks, while Governor Robert, Mayor Pablo and District II Congressman Robert gave short messages. Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz, EY Asean Consulting Quality Leader Joseph Ian M. Canlas, Financial Services Organization (FSO) Leader Christian G. Lauron, and Global Compliance & Reporting (GCR) Partner Saha A. Bulagsak were also present during the MOA signing. The Doing Business in Surigao Del Norte publication is part of SGV’s Doing Business in the Philippines series. The publication aims to provide comprehensive information about the business climate, investment opportunities, and regulatory framework in Surigao Del Norte. It will serve as a valuable resource for local and foreign investors looking to explore the province's potential for economic growth. 

SGV, represented by Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan and Consulting Partner and iTeach Program Director Allan W. Ocho, and PHINMA Education Holdings, Inc., represented by Country Head Christopher Tan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 8 August 2023 for PHINMA schools to participate in the SGV iTeach Program. Signing the MOU are (from left to right) SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz, Consulting Partner and iTeach Program Director Allan W. Ocho, SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, PHINMA Education Country Head Christopher Tan, and PHINMA Araullo University College of Management and Accountancy Dean Emerita Modesto. The SGV iTeach Program aligns with the Firm's commitment to continue its late founder Mr. Washington SyCip's advocacy for lifelong learning. The advocacy program aims to enable educators by updating them on the latest accountancy and technology trends and helping them bridge the gap between theoretical principles and actual practice. This includes collaborations with schools and professional organizations to facilitate training and workshops, provide inputs to the schools' programs, curricula and syllabi, develop case studies, and provide guest lecturers. Present in the photo are (from left to right) SGV Senior Director Elvin Mercader, SGV Assurance Leader Martin C. Guantes, Consulting Partner and iTeach Program Director Allan W. Ocho, SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz, SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT), PHINMA Education Country Head Christopher Tan, PHINMA Araullo University College of Management and Accountancy Dean Emerita Modesto, PHINMA Education Country Chief Learning Officer Glenn Laigo, PHINMA Araullo University Dean Marvin Salviejo, SGV Assurance Partner Belinda T. Beng Hui, and SGV Business Consulting Senior Jervie Sta. Ana. In addition to providing training and workshops, SGV also explores the possibility of an online community where educators can come together to share best practices. To date, the SGV iTeach Program has been able to reach out to and build awareness with around 7,000 teachers, students, and other professionals across the country.  The MOU signing took place at the SGV Museum at Shang Grand Tower, Makati City. Dean Emerita Modesto of the College of Management and Accountancy of PHINMA Araullo University and SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian Ruiz acted as witnesses. Also in attendance were SGV Assurance Leader Martin Guantes, SGV Assurance Partner Belinda T. Beng Hui, SGV Senior Director Elvin Mercader, SGV Business Consulting Senior Jervie Sta. Ana, PHINMA Education Country Chief Learning Officer Glenn Laigo, and Dean Marvin Salviejo of PHINMA Araullo University.

The SGV 1 and SGV 2 buildings were recognized by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) as the first Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Precertified facilities in the Philippines. This recognition highlights SGV's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship and marks the beginning of its path to full TRUE Certification for Zero Waste.  SGV 1 and 2 buildings This initiative is part of the environmental efforts of the SGV Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council as the Firm adopts and redefines better ways of doing business, particularly in pursuing and achieving its zero-waste goals while becoming a more resource-efficient organization. GBCI is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body. Its TRUE Certification for Zero Waste program strives to change the way materials flow through society while ensuring that all products are eventually reused and diverted from landfill, incineration (waste-to-energy), and the environment. 

SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan and Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed represented SGV at the contract signing with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on 18 August 2023. SGV is one of the professional services firms undertaking feasibility studies on various transportation transformation projects. SGV will be undertaking a feasibility study for the Manila Bay – Pasig River – Laguna Lake Ferry System project. (From left to right) Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, EY Singapore Partner Lynn Tho, and USEC TJ Batan at the contract signing Other signatories and attendees included DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, USEC TJ Batan, PPP Center Executive Director Ma. Cynthia Hernandez, PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Eli Ricote, EY Singapore Partner Lynn Tho, representatives from other consultants, and other officials of the PPP Center and the DOTr.

SGV Indirect Tax (IDT) Principal Atty. Alden C. Labaguis moderated the Aguhon 2 Leadership Summit Plenary Session organized by Public Administration students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). The event, titled "Lost in the Woods: Exploring the Uncertainty Towards Effective Leadership," was held at PUP Sta. Mesa on 29 July 2023. Event poster Professor Ralph Reuben C. Morales gave the opening remarks, followed by Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Usec. Gerald Divinagracia’s discussion on the latest updates and reforms of the ARTA, and the Plenary Session moderated by Alden.  Alden facilitated discussions on responsible leadership and its link to good governance. The speakers shared their insights on the challenges posed by the rapidly changing environment in the Philippines, making effective governance and ethical leadership challenging. They also discussed their experiences with accountability, transparency, and ethical decision-making in the country. The speakers concluded the session by sharing strategies on how to promote responsible leadership, integrity, and good governance practices in the Philippines. The Plenary Speakers were Usec. Gerald Divinagracia, Former Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Jane Elago, incumbent Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance Board Member Jess Lorenzo, and RTI International Senior Technical Adviser Jaime Bonifacio Jr.  Malcolm Law Partner Atty. Alex Lacson concluded the event by delivering an inspirational message to the attendees. About 200 students from PUP and other universities attended the session. The coordinating team for SGV was led by IDT Associate Director Atty. Lauren Antonette M. Mendoza, assisted by IDT Senior Associates Atty. Kierk Robin M. Ret and Atty. Natividad G. Busa.

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla served as a resource speaker at the General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the Association of Hotel and Restaurants Finance Officers of the Philippines (AHARFOPHIL) on 27 July 2023 at Ascott Bonifacio Global City. Finance and accounting officers of member restaurants and hotel properties across the Philippines attended the meeting. SGV GCR Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla at the AHARFOPHIL GMM Meynard talked about common BIR findings for hotels and restaurants and provided relevant tax updates applicable to the hospitality industry. He also discussed the pending bill on taxation of digital services and its implications for hotel and restaurant operators. Sonia (third from left) with Meynard (center) as he accepts his certificate of appreciation from AHARFOPHIL Market Group (MG) 7 Leader Jose Pepito E. Zabat, GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia, and Senior Managers Grail B. Ragos and Marc Bonnie B. Wong were also present at the GMM.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Associate Raymond R. Paras was a resource speaker at the Mapúa University webinar entitled “Driving Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality: Empowering the Next Generation for a Greener Future” held via Zoom on 29 July 2023. More than 230 participants, composed of students from various local and international universities, educators, industry professionals, and participants from non-government organizations (NGOs) and government agencies attended the webinar. Webinar poster Raymond presented an overview of sustainability where he discussed its definition, pillars, the driving forces that kickstart initiatives and meaningful actions toward sustainable development, and global and local regulatory developments in relation to sustainability reporting. CCaSS Senior Associate Raymond Paras during the webinar He talked about the awareness of different generations on environmental issues and how governments, organizations, and communities can help mitigate their impact. He noted various sources of information that play an increasingly important role in how individuals, across all generations, perceive and react to information. He also described some initiatives of SGV’s Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council such as the SAVE4Water Project and the reusable-clothes donation drive in April 2023. Webinar participants Raymond also discussed actions that can be taken by various generations to build a more sustainable future, including some scenario analysis for the participants. A Q&A session was conducted after the presentation where participants asked for advice on how they can provide sustainable solutions in partnership with local communities. The webinar was conducted in line with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 13 (Climate Action) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It aimed to equip and inspire participants to create a sustainable and carbon-neutral world.