September 2022

The 7th installment of the Consulting group’s SheInspires series entitled “WOW: Woman of Wonder/Woman of the World” featured former SGVean, and co-founder and CEO of e-learning platform Chalkboard, Kristine Brown. The session was held virtually on 5 August 2022. SheInspires WOW: Woman of Wonder/Woman of the World event poster Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña kicked off the virtual session with a brief message while Consulting Partner Randall C. Antonio facilitated the fireside chat with Kristine. The session focused on getting to know Kristine as an individual and learning from her experiences as a woman and a leader in the financial services industry.  Kristine with SGV Consulting Partners Lee Carlo B. Abadia and Randall C. Antonio, and the participants Tine shared her observations on how SGV provides equal opportunities to people in the workplace and serves as an avenue for continuous learning and development for people who are interested in knowing more about the ins and outs of various fields of business. She also shared how her time at SGV has played a critical part in molding her into who she is today. She recalled teaming with partners and staff from the Firm on complex projects and just overall, engaging in work she was passionate about. She said that her experience in the Firm has opened doors for her and has led her to explore more opportunities at EY Boston and later on, in her next ventures.  Other key takeaways from Tine’s talk included effective goal-setting, learning how and when to step out of one’s comfort zone, leveraging relationships in and out of the workplace, and balancing personal and professional projects. Tine shared her experience being a graduate student at the London Business School and a working mother of two daughters while co-founding and managing her start-up e-learning company, Chalkboard, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being constantly on the go, she said that it was important for her to find time for herself and her loved ones. She also shared that drawing inspiration and strength from the people around her, particularly her loved ones and mentors, helped her keep her end goals in sight.  The session ended with closing remarks from Consulting Partner Lee Carlo B. Abadia and a group picture-taking. About 500 SGVeans attended the event. 

SGV Business Tax Services Partner Atty. Margaux Advincula joined the North and Central Luzon Briefing and Updates on the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) organized by The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham) North Luzon Chapter on 29 July 2022. The program aimed to update taxpayers on the activities that may be registered for incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (“CREATE”) Act as promulgated. Atty. Margaux with the speakers, organizers, and other attendees Atty. Margaux delivered the welcome address which was followed by an introduction of the guest speaker, Mr. Dino John Buñag Recto, Officer-In-Charge (OIC), Division Chief of the Board of Investments. OIC-Chief Recto discussed activities which may be registered for incentives under the CREATE Act, as provided in the SIPP. Atty. Margaux facilitated the question-and-answer portion after OIC-Chief Recto’s discussion. She was joined by Mr. Ralph Morales, a Board Member of the AmCham North Luzon Chapter.  Tax Associate Director Atty. John Marti C. Duya and Tax Senior Associate Atty. Mark Lorenz T. Salcedo joined Atty. Margaux at the briefing. SGV Clark Tax Partner Hentje Leo Leano, Tax Senior Manager Maria Michaela E. Ledesma, Tax Manager David Jonathan F. Manalili, and Tax Seniors Elgina A. Rito and Mica Alyana C. Rivera were also present during the event. It was attended by members of AmCham, locators and employees from the Clark, Subic, and Baguio Economic Zones, and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan.

SGV Assurance Partner Katrina F. Francisco, Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Senior Director Maria Michaela “Mycah” E. Ledesma-Oiga, and GCR Associate Director David Jonathan “Tan” F. Manalili were the resource speakers for the technical sessions during the 34th Chapter Induction & Turnover Ceremonies of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Angeles City Chapter on 12 August 2022. Tan and Mycah receiving their certificates and tokens of appreciation Mycah and Tan were the speakers for the morning session on tax updates. Mycah discussed updates on income tax and value-added tax while Tan discussed updates on withholding taxes as well as updates on other national and local taxes. Katrina led the afternoon session on sustainability and the critical role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in achieving sustainable development. Mycah, Tan and Katrina also moderated the Q&A sessions. Katrina receiving her certificate and token of appreciation SGV Assurance Senior Director Leo Niño R. Canlas and SGV Business Tax Advisory (BTA) Associate Director John Marti C. Duya were also present during the event.

To further the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Initiatives of the Firm, members of SGV’s Tax team met with representatives from the Development Action for Women Network (DAWN) in Bocobo Commercial Center, Ermita, Manila on 26 July 2022. The SGV Tax team with DAWN and SIKHAY members The SGV Tax team was led by Asean Tax DE&I Lead Victor C. De Dios. He was assisted by Indirect Tax (IDT) Senior Director Atty. Alden Patrick C. Labaguis, Associate Directors Atty. Gracia Mae A. Beronilla and Atty. Dawna Fya O. Bandiola, and Senior Associates Atty. Catriona Janelle V. Gayatin and Atty. Andrea Nicole C. Loreno. They met with DAWN Executive Director Carmelita “Mel” G. Nuqui and Coordinator Lance Alexander S. Velasco, who welcomed the Team by showing them a short clip of DAWN’s advocacies and activities over the years.  The SGV Tax team exchanged ideas with DAWN on DE&I initiatives such as providing possible employment opportunities to DAWN’s members, conducting training programs on taxation laws, compliance, and financial reporting requirements, and initiating other learning events. They discussed DE&I projects which can be developed to include the organization’s objective of providing help and support to women migrants and their children and  to overseas Filipino workers. Ms. Nuqui, Mr. Velasco, and Alternative Livelihood Program Coordinator Ms. Mary Joy E. Barcelona also gave the SGV Tax Team a brief tour of the Sikap Buhay (SIKHAY) production and training area, which houses sewing and handloom weaving machines and equipment and products. They agreed to continue their collaboration and partnership in implementing the proposed initiatives. DAWN is a non-government, non-profit organization assisting distressed women migrants returning from Japan and their Japanese-Filipino children, along with migrant domestic worker returnees from Asia and the Middle East, by promoting and protecting their rights and welfare.

SGV was the official tabulator at the coronation night of the Miss Philippines Earth 2022 Pageant held at Tag Resort Coron, Palawan. The event was streamed on the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of Miss Philippines Earth on 6 August 2022 and telecast on A2Z Channel 11 on 7 August 2022.  Mariecris with host Robi Domingo during the Miss Philippines Earth 2022 Pageant Market Group 2 Assurance Partner Mariecris N. Barbaso led the SGV team in the independent tabulation of scores cast by the judges. Climate Change and Sustainability Services Senior Director Crystal Aleli R. Cornell, Assurance Associate Directors Julius Ceasar C. Mercado and Angelu Daphne E. Villanueva, Assurance Senior Associate Dian Michelle S. Luis, and Assurance Associate Cristina F. Marcelo were part of the tabulating team. Miss Philippines - Water 2022, Angel Santos; Miss Philippines - Air 2022, Jimema Tempra; Miss Philippines Earth 2022, Jenny Ramp; Miss Philippines - Fire 2022, Eryka Vina Tan; and Miss Philippines - Eco-tourism 2022, Nice Lampad Jenny Ramp from Santa Ignacia, Tarlac was crowned as Miss Philippines Earth 2022. She succeeded Miss Philippines Earth 2021 Naelah Alshorbaji from Parañaque City. The winner of Miss Philippines Earth will serve as the ambassador to environmental protection campaigns and will represent the country in the Miss Earth 2022 Pageant. Miss Philippines Earth is an environmental advocacy-driven beauty pageant where candidates and winners actively promote and get involved in the preservation of the environment. The Miss Philippines Earth Pageant celebrated its 22nd year with the theme “ME Loves Fauna” to emphasize the importance of caring for animal life. The theme also aimed to raise awareness of how animals, whether domesticated or in the wild, are essential members of the environment that must be given proper care and attention.

SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan was one of the guests of honor at the first face-to-face mass oathtaking for new Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) since the COVID-19 pandemic began. There were 759 new CPAs who attended the event, out of the 990 who passed the May 2022 CPA Licensure Examination (CPALE). The mass oathtaking was held at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel on 22 August 2022. Wilson during the mass oathtaking for new CPAs Wilson delivered an inspirational message to the new CPAs inducted in the afternoon session and congratulated them on their new milestone. He talked about leading a Purposeful professional journey and adhering to values of excellence and integrity. He also reminded the new CPAs of the importance of life-long learning, keeping up with the changing times, and building strong networks.  The mass oath-taking was administered by Board of Accountancy (BOA) Chairman Noe G. Quiñanola. The new CPAs were also inducted as new members of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) by PICPA President Dr. Erwin Vincent G. Alcala. About 1,000 parents and relatives of the new CPAs witnessed the oath-taking ceremonies for both the morning and afternoon sessions.

SGV was accepted as a participant in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest sustainability initiative. The Firm joins a global network of over 15,000 companies and 4,000 non-business participants committed to building a sustainable future. Officially launched at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City in 2000, the UNGC is based on 10 principles that the UN believes must be followed for a company to maintain its environmental and social responsibilities. The UNGC expects member companies to “operate in ways that at a minimum, meet the fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. They are also expected to recognize the link between environmental issues, and social and development priorities.” SGV has agreed to uphold these principles and produce an annual communication, reporting on its progress that outlines efforts to operate responsibly and support society.  “This is a huge deal for all of us at SGV because this helps us embolden our initiatives in building a sustainable organization that supports communities now and in the future,” said SAVE Council Chair Clair Mangangey.  Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) Chairperson Ma. Victoria A. Tan  shared that the GCNP is delighted to welcome SGV as its newest participant, expanding the network's reach and diversity in uniting the country's various business sectors toward a more sustainable future.