2024

SGV honored nine outstanding individuals in the Firm’s 2024 Learning & Development (L&D) Excellence Awards held on 24 May 2024. Winners were recognized in four award categories, namely Facilitator Impact, Rising Star, Innovation, and Thought Leadership. The individual awardees were recognized for their dedication, expertise, and creativity as outstanding facilitators. The program also highlighted their invaluable contribution to SGV's learning culture and L&D initiatives. SGV L&D Leader Clairma T. Mangangey (left) and SGV Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz (right) with SGV L&D Excellence Awardee and Facilitator Impact Awardee Catherine M. Catanyag Consulting Associate Director Catherine M. Catanyag is this year’s grand winner and recipient of both the SGV L&D Excellence Award and the Facilitator Impact Award. In her facilitation, she was cited for having demonstrated a deep understanding of the subject matter, combining theoretical concepts with real-life experiences to help participants navigate the complexities of IT audit work. Beyond facilitation, Catherine serves as the support manager for L&D administrative activities, coordinating with the business and L&D team to align learning maps with global standards and business needs as well as to ensure smooth course operations. (From left to right) Innovation Awardee Jenny Marie C. Dimatatac, SGV L&D Excellence Awardee and Facilitator Impact Awardee Catherine M. Catanyag, Thought Leadership Awardee Hazel N. Sy, Rising Star Awardee Edward Joseph A. Maglinte, Facilitator Impact Awardee Jobelyn D. Casim, SGV L&D Leader Clairma T. Mangangey, Thought Leadership Awardee Evelyn B. Yamzon, and Rising Star Awardees Mykee H. Puno and Ace R. Matibag Assurance Manager Jobelyn D. Casim and Tax Senior Manager Jackie Lou D. Lamug also received the Facilitator Impact Award. This award is given to experienced facilitators who have demonstrated exceptional expertise and commitment in the field of facilitation and have dedicated a significant number of hours to facilitating L&D courses. Assurance Manager Edward Joseph A. Maglinte, Consulting Senior Associate Anthony Arman “Ace” R. Matibag, and Tax Manager Mikhaella Martina “Mykee” H. Puno received the Rising Star Award. This award acknowledges the exceptional potential and talent of up-and-coming facilitators. These individuals demonstrated a strong passion for continuous improvement and were recognized as future leaders in the field of L&D.  Consulting Manager Evelyn B. Yamzon and Tax Senior Manager Hazel N. Sy received the Thought Leadership Award. This award honors experienced facilitators or teams for contributing innovative ideas and insights to the L&D community, pushing the boundaries of traditional training methods, and making remarkable contributions as subject matter resource speakers.  Consulting Senior Associate Jenny Marie C. Dimatatac received the Innovation Award. This award is given to top contributors in learning technologies or the creation of interventions that have improved the learning conduct or L&D processes. The winners received plaques and cash prizes. They were selected through an extensive evaluation process. Consulting Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz, Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan, Tax Principal Alden Patrick C. Labaguis, Assurance Partner Benigno F. Leongson, SaT Partner Smith C. Lim, and Tax Principal Cecille M. Santillan-Visto comprised the panel of judges. Congratulations to the winners!

The Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council's Environment Pillar team recently hosted a WebCCaSS session on waste management entitled "Zero to Hero: Journey towards Zero Waste and Effective Management."  Sustainability Director Reynaldo C. Azarcon Jr. and SAVE Council – Environment Pillar team members welcome WebCCaSS session attendees The session was led by Sustainability Services Director Reynaldo C. Azarcon Jr., Associate Director Carla J. Capistrano, Finance Assistant Director Leah L. Pis-an, Senior Associate Kerby Z. Panaligan, Associates Marianne Angelica C. Velasco and Eloisa C. Malaluan, and Finance Admin Support Nympha Valencia. Business Services Group (BSG) Leader Alvin M. Pinpin opened the session by highlighting the concept of zero waste and the importance of effective waste segregation. Finance Assistant Director Leah L. Pis-an discusses the roles of SGVeans in Waste Management The session covered various topics related to waste management, starting with the significance of segregating waste according to their nature. The discussion also touched upon the percentage of waste dumped in landfills and its leakage into the environment. Participants were introduced to different types of waste and were provided with examples to prevent contamination of recyclable waste during segregation. The roles of SGVeans in managing waste effectively were highlighted, emphasizing best practices such as using a single paper towel in restrooms, bringing personal food containers, maintaining clean worktables, and disposing of waste in designated bins. SGVeans were encouraged to become waste management heroes in their own right. The "Zero Waste Challenge: Closing the Resource Loop," a six-month competition designed to foster a circular economy and instill sustainable waste management habits, was introduced. The session wrapped up with a rallying call for SGVeans to demonstrate their dedication to responsible waste management. The SAVE Council's WebCCaSS initiative is a quarterly one-hour webcast that covers concepts, trends, regulations and industry practices around sustainability and climate change.

SGV Partners and Managers paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Endo Kazuya. The visit took place on 5 June 2024. Ambassador Endo assumed his position on 4 April 2024. SGV Partners and Managers with Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Endo Kazuya (center) The delegation, led by SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, included SGV Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz, Japan Business Services (JBS) Assurance Leader Michael C. Sabado, JBS Tax Leader Jonald R. Vergara, and members of SGV’s JBS team, Associate Principal and Japanese Business Council member Hiroshi Nakagawa, and Senior Director and Japanese Business Council member Kazuma Nakagomi. Wilson introduced SGV, outlining the Firm's services and its dedication to fostering Japanese investments and supporting Japanese clients in the Philippines. Vivian highlighted SGV's role as an EY member firm and the close collaboration with EY JBS colleagues in Japan and Asean. The SGV JBS team outlined their focus on addressing the needs of Japanese clients. Ambassador Endo, joined by Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke and Financial Attache Sugimoto Kensuke, expressed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and Japan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and developing the ties established by their predecessors. The meeting also covered discussions on tax issues faced by Japanese companies, including the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) tax legislation pending in Congress. Insights and implications of the proposed tax measures on incentives for Japanese companies were exchanged. Wilson extended a formal invitation to Ambassador Endo to attend the launch of the latest version of Doing Business in the Philippines in Japanese, scheduled for the week of 5 August 2024, which will also welcome SGV's Japanese clients. As a token of goodwill, Wilson also presented Ambassador Endo with a copy of SGV Founder Washington SyCip’s biography Wash: Only a Bookkeeper, A Biography of Washington Z. SyCip by Dr. Jose “Butch” Y. Dalisay Jr.

SGV Sustainability Services team members hosted a SAVE Council Sustainabits session spotlighting the role of human rights in achieving social sustainability. The session, titled "Empower Every Juan: Exploring Social Sustainability through Human Rights Advocacy," was held in May 2024. SGV Sustainability and Risk Management team members lead the Sustainabits session on the role of human rights in social sustainability Sustainability Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz opened the session. In his welcome remarks, he highlighted the importance of sharing awareness and protecting fellow Filipinos’ human rights. The succeeding discussions were led by Sustainabits team members Louie Adrienne Cediño, Dubhe Gienah Mayor, and Caryll Joy Franco, along with Artemina Aloria from Risk Management. They provided an overview of the sustainability landscape, emphasizing the social pillar and its intersection with human rights advocacy. The session underscored the vital role of human rights in fostering a fair and equitable society, addressing the plight of marginalized communities, and calling for collective action. The "Empower Every Juan" session aimed to inspire attendees to actively contribute to a sustainable future that respects and upholds the rights and dignity of every Filipino. The session concluded with a Declaration of Commitment called “A Plan towards Social Sustainability,” which urged SGVeans to champion social sustainability. It also served as a reaffirmation of SGV’s commitment towards achieving zero waste.  The SAVE Council’s Sustainabits initiative is a bi-monthly 30-minute session that covers high-level concepts relating to sustainability. 

The SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) team and the SGV Campus Recruitment team organized and facilitated a tax review session for staff taking the May 2024 CPA Licensure Examinations. More than 300 face-to-face (F2F) attendees and more than 500 virtual participants from the SGV Makati, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio offices joined the review session. GCR Partners Maricris U. See and Lee Celso R. Vivas with GCR Managers and Staff GCR Partner Maricris U. See kicked off the session with an introductory message. GCR Partner Francis J. Ricamora delivered the first lecture on Corporate Income Tax. This was followed by a lecture on other tax topics by GCR Partner Don Don T. Mojica. GCR Partner Josenilo G. Mendoza concluded the session with his lecture on Value-Added Tax.   The series of lectures was followed by a short two-part send-off activity. For the first part, GCR Associates Loudette Remirose C. Tejada (8th Placer – October 2022 CPALE) and Shaina Rose A. Lozano (4th Placer – May 2023 CPALE) gave their respective testimonial messages. They shared their experiences and techniques on how to pass the board examination and overcome other challenges. For the second part of the send-off activity, the Board Takers took the opportunity to have their pencils sharpened by the GCR Partners and the Topnotchers for good luck. GCR Partner Lee Celso R. Vivas capped off the event by delivering the closing remarks. GCR Partner Jay A. Ballesteros was also present during the event. Group photo of the GCR team with the tax review session attendees The event was spearheaded by GCR Partner Maricris U. See, GCR Senior Director Fatma Aleah A. Datukon, and GCR Director Jao Renzo Mercado, with the guidance of GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia and support of GCR Partners Aaron C. Escartin, Hannah S. Rojo, Michael A. Madlangbayan, Joanna T. Dela Chica, and the GCR People Pillar Managers, who reviewed and prepared the lecture materials. SGV Talent team members Julie Ann R. Rubia, Julia-Anne J. Deypalan, Julia D. Villaos, Marina Beatrice P. Lopez, Jahn Richmonde M. Santillan, Ma. Trisha Coleen Q. Cortez, and Angelou Ma. D. Remo also assisted the GCR team in spearheading the event.

SGV, through the SGV Foundation and the Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council, donated 15 yellow paddle boats to the Sitio Teheman Yellow Boat Community in Maluso, Basilan in March 2024. Yellow boats are used in small, underserved communities to safely transport children to and from school, like school buses in urban centers. The initiative is part of SGV’s mission to create sustainable opportunities and ensure educational access for children in the area. Local recipients of yellow boat donations Children in yellow boats The boats were turned over to the local families with the help of the Claret Samal Foundation, Inc. staff. The boats were made by the boat builders of Maluso, Basilan. 

The SGV Knowledge Institute, with the SGV Tax Markets Pillar, hosted a seminar titled “Fortifying Your Legacy: Wealth Succession and Family Business Succession Planning” on 4 April 2024, at the Washington SyCip Development Center (WSDC) Training Room. The event was attended by over 40 family business owners and executives from various sectors. SGV Private Tax Leader Atty. Jules E. Riego and EY Asia-Pacific Private Tax and Family Enterprise Leader Desmond Teo during the question-and-answer session SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan opened the seminar. SGV Private Tax Leader Atty. Jules E. Riego discussed Succession Law, wealth succession planning both at the family enterprise level and the individual level, family governance, and Common Reporting Standards (CRS). He emphasized the benefits of estate planning and the role of a Family Constitution in preventing disputes. Atty. Jules talks about the holding company structure after a tax-free exchange SGV Tax Partner Atty. Thyrza F. Marbas spoke about wealth planning for individuals, covering tax strategies and legal tools like wills and trusts, aiming to safeguard the future of estates and family businesses. Atty. Cheryl, Atty. Jules, and Atty.  Thyrza EY Asia-Pacific Private Tax and Family Enterprise Leader Desmond Teo shared insights on family offices in Singapore and Hong Kong as models for the Philippines. SGV Tax Partner Atty. Cheryl Edeline C. Ong facilitated the seminar and moderated the question-and-answer session. The seminar highlighted the importance of succession planning for family businesses, including for cost savings, and preserving harmonious family relationships. 

SGV Indirect Tax (IDT) Principal Atty. Alden C. Labaguis and IDT Associate Directors Atty. Lauren Antonette M. Mendoza and Atty. Kierk Robin M. Ret were speakers at the recently held PortCalls: Understanding CREATE MORE Bill with VAT Exemption + Ease of Paying Taxes Act Seminar at Citadines Bay City in Manila. Approximately 80 participants and representatives from various importers and logistics companies in the Philippines attended the event. Atty. Lauren discusses EOPT Act tax updates Atty. Lauren opened the discussion on the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act, where she highlighted the important changes and developments in the payment of taxes. She also discussed the potential implications of the issuance of Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 5-2024, particularly in light of the Supreme Court ruling on Aces Philippines Cellular Satellite Corp. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue (G.R. No. 226680 dated 30 August 2022).  Atty. Kierk discusses proposed CREATE MORE Bill amendments Atty. Kierk focused his discussion on the salient provisions of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Bill. He highlighted the proposed amendments on income tax rates, enhanced deductions, and value-added tax.  The seminar concluded with an open forum, where the participants addressed their questions to Atty. Alden and the speakers. IDT Senior Associates Atty. Andrea Nicole C. Loreno and Atty. Natividad G. Busa were part of the SGV coordinating team.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) and Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi was a resource speaker at the Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards – Pasay-Makati Realty Board, Inc. (PAREB-PMRB) Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist and Proliferation Financing (AML/CTPF) training held on 19 March 2024 at Paseo de Magallanes in Makati City. SGV FSO FinCrime Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi (second from left, seated) with PMRB President Glorie Marie Sy (third from right) and other PAREB-PMRB members  PMRB President Glorie Marie Sy delivered the welcome remarks and introduced Veronica as the resource speaker. The training session covered key topics such as AML/CTPF, the importance of compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and related regulations and the responsibilities of Real Estate Brokers (REBs) and Real Estate Developers (REDs) as covered persons.  Veronica provided an overview of the vulnerabilities faced by REBs and REDs under AMLA. She also detailed the registration process, including the steps necessary for the submission of required documentation and compliance with regulatory mandates. Veronica was joined by FSO Director Anne Mariel Lagao, and Associates Alech Nicole Margallo, Rod Aderick Elauria, Ma. Tiffany Atis, and Charisse Panisales. Veronica (center) with SGV representatives, PAREB-PMRB members, and other training attendees In concluding the session, Veronica encouraged real estate brokers and developers to register as covered persons. She also urged them to become advocates for AMLA to aid in the fight against money laundering within the real estate industry. She highlighted the importance of recognizing the risks and understanding the red flags associated with money laundering activities, as well as the role of brokers in reporting suspicious transactions.

SGV Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Lady March Diam C. Trinidad served as one of the judges at the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge Local Finals for 2023–2024 held via Zoom. SGV SaT Partner Lady March Diam C. Trinidad (top right) with the other judges Six university team finalists competed by analyzing the traded shares of a company and presenting their investment cases. The event culminated with the Emerald Equities team from the University of the Philippines Diliman being named the overall champion and JEFE from Ateneo de Manila University as the first runner-up.  Group photo with the Emerald Equities team from the University of the Philippines Diliman  The event was organized by the CFA Society Philippines, an association of local investment professionals, consisting of portfolio managers, security analysts, investment advisers, and other financial practitioners.