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SGV’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (BNV) was a speaker during the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and Sustainability Reporting: Past, Present and Future event on 18 September 2021, hosted by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) - Philippines. BNV at the IMA virtual event BNV and fellow speaker Ma. Victoria A. Tan, Group Head of the Risk Management and Sustainability Unit at Ayala Corporation, discussed how ESG analysis and reporting can provide valuable insights and help create long-term value for stakeholders and how it can significantly impact the financial metrics of a company and better inform investment decisions. BNV stressed that it is vital for businesses, accountants and the government to work together in order to achieve long-term value creation through Sustainability Reporting. He gave an overview of global and local Sustainability Reporting and their frameworks. He also discussed the status of Sustainability Reporting in the Philippines. Furthermore, he noted that Accountants are at the forefront of helping businesses maintain their social licenses to operate, as it is now inseparable from potential financial risk and return.  

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Associate Director Diana Rose A. Sadili participated in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on 24 September 2021. The initiative was hosted by SustainablePH, a non-profit community committed to raising sustainability leaders in the Philippines. Diana answers questions during the AMA session Diana discussed her role in the Firm’s CCaSS team as a sustainability professional and how professionals can purse sustainability as a career. The virtual event aimed to provide guidance for fresh graduates and professionals seeking to jump start their sustainability career. It was also an opportunity to introduce SGV’s CCaSS initiatives and sustainability services and solutions.  

SGV’s Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council launched its first Sustainabits session, titled Introduction to Sustainability, for SGV Partners and staff last 24 September 2021 spearheaded by the Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Team.  Sustainabits is a monthly session that covers various sustainability topics and their impact on our lives. Sustainabits Session #1: Introduction to Sustainability CCaSS Manager Joanna Benin formally opened the first session of the monthly activity by greeting over 800 attendees who discovered how their daily life choices can engage the business sector to become a part of the climate change solution. This was followed by a short introductory message about the importance of sustainability delivered by SAVE Council Chair, Clairma Mangangey (CTM).  The speakers for the session were CCaSS Senior Associates Paula Cecilia Camille Rodriguez and Joanna Teresa Miranda. The event covered the meaning of sustainability; the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and their significance; common sustainability issues that affect society and the environment; and practical examples of how sustainability can be applied to one’s daily life. Closing off the first session, CTM and CCaSS Partner Benjamin Villacorte (BNV) invited the participants to join the next Sustainabits session and watch out for the first WebCCaSS, which is SGV’s quarterly one-hour webcast that will cover concepts, trends, regulations and industry practices around sustainability and climate change.

Interactive features at SGV’s virtual Alumni Homecoming microsite SGV held its first virtual Alumni Homecoming event last 3 September 2021. The virtual celebration was the first of its kind as the Firm used an online interactive platform that aimed to give the attendees the experience and atmosphere of the usual physical Homecoming, but from the safety of their own homes.  The microsite gave the attendees the opportunity to chat with their friends and colleagues using MS Teams chatrooms.  Activities such as a photobooth, shoutout message board and mini games were also available for the attendees. Another feature of the site gave visitors a chance to experience a virtual tour of Mr. SyCip’s office and parts of the SGV offices.     Performers during the Alumni Homecoming program The attendees were treated to special performances by singer Gian Magdangal, acapella group Pinopela and comedian Jon Santos as “Darnia.” The Homecoming also showcased a special group performance of the SGV’s Got Talent Year 9 finalists performing the song “A Million Dreams.”

“One Purpose” by the MG 7 - SDS cluster songwriting team of Rodonna Marie Borasca, Julia Marie Gumiran and Meynard Sardalla, was crowned as the SGV Purposeful Compositions JAMM Night grand winner last 31 August 2021. Their song, to be arranged by professional music arranger and lyricist Jungee Marcelo, will be presented during the SGV 75th annual Staff Anniversary celebration. The song also received the greatest number of SGV people votes and was named as the People’s Choice award winner.  Song entries “Into A Better Philippines” by Jerwin Esquibel (MG 7 - ACM), “Envision the SGV Purpose” by Hector William Yuson (MG 3 - MAM) and “Better in SGV” by Kristine Anne Perez (MG 8 - LSC) were the top four other finalists. The remaining composers, Justine Jose Marie Pabalan (L&D - CTM, BES), Jethel Vileran (MG 3 - SDT) and duo Julia Marie Gumiran and Meynard Sardalla (MG 7 - SDS). The songs were judged based on their interpretation of the SGV Purpose statement.      SGV Purpose Council Partners with the participants of the Purposeful Compositions songwriting competition The panel of judges was composed of two external judges – award-winning music producer, composer, lyricist and arranger Jungee Marcelo and singer-songwriter and FILSCAP songwriting competition winner Toto Sorioso – and SGV Purpose Council judges composed of SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz, EY ASEAN Risk Management Leader Leonardo J. Matignas, Jr. and EY ASEAN Business Consulting Leader and SGV Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo. The Purposeful Compositions songwriting competition was streamed live via the SGV@Home Facebook group. 

SGV Tax Partner Tesi Lou S. Guanzon (TSG) completed the Comparative Tax Policy and Administration program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education. The 10-day online executive program developed by Harvard Kennedy School faculty helps Tax professionals reconcile complex taxation with the need to generate significant tax revenue in an economically efficient and socially equitable manner.    TSG earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accountancy from the UP Diliman and her Bachelor of Laws from San Beda College. She completed the Master of Laws in International Taxation under the Levin College of Law, University of Florida, USA. She is a CPA-lawyer and is a member of both PICPA and the IBP. Congratulations, TSG!

SGV Consulting organized a third installment of the SheInspires webinar series entitled “Your success is my success: How Strong Men Support Strong Women” last August 27, 2021. About 850 people from SGV and ASEAN Consulting attended the event.    Consulting Partners with panelists and moderators at the third SheInspires webinar. What was different from the previous runs of the SheInspires series was that this webinar had all-male panelists and moderators who shared their perspective and insights. It shifted the focus to the role of men in gender equality and women empowerment in the workplace, and how men can inspire and support the success of women’s lives, families and careers. The attendees listened to the anecdotes of the panelists on how they continuously inspire and support their wives or partners in pursuit of their career goals or managing their family. Empowered women often cite the role of supportive men in their journey to success. The webinar’s panelists included Atty. Michael G. Acaban, Senior Partner, Gerodias Suchianco Estrella Law Firm (husband of Tax Principal Margarita D. Mallari-Acaban); Mr. Jose Mari Fajardo, Investor Relations Director, Globe Telecom, Inc. (husband of SGV Consulting Leader and ASEAN Business Consulting Leader, Rosanna A. Fajardo); Mr. Warren R. Bituin, Consulting Partner and Technology Consulting Leader; Mr. Carlo Paolo V. Manalang, Assurance Partner; and Mr. Jerome O. Afable, Assurance Manager. Mr. Alvin G. Manuel, Technology Consulting Senior Manager and Mr. Leonardo J. Matignas Jr., Consulting Partner, ASEAN Risk Management Leader and PH Consulting Markets Co-Leader moderated the event. 

The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants Freeport Area of Bataan and Bataan Export Processing Zone (PICPA-FAB-BEPZ) Chapter organized a webinar titled CREATE Act and VAT Updates: Impact on Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) on 28 July. PICPA-FAB-BEPZ Chapter President Marc Czimon Lizeralde welcomed nearly 170 people to the webinar hosted by PICPA Officer Arjay Bacsal. LLL and MAA presenting at the webinarSGV Clark Tax Partners Hentje Leo L. Leaño (LLL) and Margaux A. Advincula (MAA) covered the VAT provisions under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act and the latest VAT issuance under Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 9-2021, as well as their impact on RBEs. They also provided an overview of the conflicting issuances of RR No. 9-2021 and Section 5 of the Act. On the day of the webinar, the BIR issued RR No. 15-2021 which deferred the implementation of RR No. 9-2021.  The webinar concluded with an open forum moderated by LLL and MAA. PICPA-FAB-BEPZ Chapter Executive Vice President Marites Bartolome then delivered the closing remarks. Tax Associate Director Michael Lapasaran, Tax Senior Associate Virly Jane Tiare and Atty. John Marti Duya, and Tax Associate Brevin Perez assisted the speakers in the preparation of the webinar materials.

The US-ASEAN Business Council organized a webinar titled CREATEing Investment Opportunities in the Philippines: Webinar on the Rationalization of Incentives under CREATE Law on 6 August. The webinar featured discussions on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE Act) and its impact on businesses, particularly on the members of the US-ASEAN Business Council. The speakers and organizers of the webinar The webinar began with opening remarks from Chief Country Representative of the US-ASEAN Business Council Elizabeth Crebassa. SGV Tax Partner Karen Kaye Sta Maria-Constantino then discussed the salient provisions of the CREATE Act. Afterwards, Board of Investments Director Sandra Marie Recolizado provided an overview of the Strategic Investment Priority Plan. Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General BGen. Charito B. Plaza then led a session on new economic strategic locations and other PEZA updates.  The sessions were followed by a Q&A portion facilitated by Tax Partner Betheena Dizon. Tax Leader Fame delos Santos then delivered the closing remarks. The webinar was hosted by Tax Senior Director Josephine Grace Sandoval and the organizing team included Tax Partner Margaux Advincula and Tax Director Joyce Elaine Laohoo.  

SGV Clark Partners and Managers paid a courtesy call on incoming Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Angeles City Chapter officers last July. SGV Clark Head Jose Pepito Zabat (JEZ) led the team with Tax Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño (LLL), Consulting Partner Conrad Allan Alviz (CMA), Tax Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, Associate Director Michael Ray Lapasaran and Senior Associate John Marti Duya. They met with PICPA Angeles City Chapter Outgoing President Mariel Pamintuan-Palo, Incoming President Julyn Nyril Tiatco-Santos, and other officers of the PICPA Angeles City Chapter.  Virtual banner for the SGV Clark courtesy call on PICPA AngelesThey discussed the plans and collaboration of PICPA with SGV on future events. This was followed by an awarding ceremony where LLL and Michael Lapasaran were given tokens of appreciation for being speakers at a CREATE webinar organized by the PICPA Angeles City Chapter.