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SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño (LLL) was recognized as one of Far Eastern University’s (FEU’s) Outstanding Alumni during the 2023 Green and Gold Awards held on 23 February as part of the celebrations of the University’s 95th Founding Anniversary at the FEU Manila Main Auditorium.  Outstanding FEU Alumnus Hentje Leo L. Leaño The awardees are accomplished alumni from the government and private sectors who are products of the various degree programs of the University, and alumni who exemplify the core values of FEU – fortitude, excellence, and uprightness. The award is given every five years to chosen alumni for their extraordinary achievements in their respective fields, bringing honor and prestige to FEU and contributing to the advancement of society.  Congratulations, Leo!

The SGV Clark Tax team hosted an in-person tax updates seminar with the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) at the SGV Clark Office on 10 March 2023, with more than 150 attendees. The seminar focused on customs compliance, transfer pricing rules, and the electronic invoicing system for various Clark locators. Event poster Leo, Auresana, Margaux, Assistant Commissioner Janette Cruz, CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva, Ana, and Victor CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva kicked off the event by welcoming various Clark locators and delivering his opening remarks. SGV Tax Partners Atty. Victor C. De Dios (VCD) and Atty. Ana Katrina C. de Jesus (ACJ), and BIR Assistant Commissioner for Client Support Service Janette Cruz were the speakers for the seminar. They discussed updates on their respective topics while SGV Clark Partner-In-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula (MAA) moderated the Q&A session.  Margaux (right) during the Q&A session SGV Tax Partners with BIR RDO 21C Chief Juvy Dela Peña, BIRAssistant Commissioner Janette Cruz, and CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva SGV Global Compliance Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño (LLL), Tax Partner Auresana B. Ines (ABI), Market Group 7 Leader Jose E. Pepito Zabat (JEZ), and Tax Senior Associate Atty. Fatima Kate Garo also attended the event. BIR RDO 21C Deputy Chief Juvy Dela Peña was one of the guests. 

The Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team hosted a Sustainabits session on “Office Ergonomics: The Role of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) in Office Settings,” which aimed to orient and inform the SGV community on the importance of good working conditions. The virtual session was attended by 534 SGVeans. CCaSS Manager Brenda Estonanto, CCaSS Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz (CMA), and CCaSS Associate Eloisa Malaluan welcome the participants to the Sustainabits session Business Consulting and CCaSS Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz (CMA) welcomed everyone to the session and shared his personal experience on following basic Occupational Health and Safety policies. CCaSS Manager Brenda Estonanto supported by her team, CCaSS Senior Associate Francis Jemaiya Arce and CCaSS Associates Eloisa Jean Malaluan and Emmanuel Regondola, spearheaded the discussion.  CCaSS Associate Eloisa Malaluan discusses the basic definition of office ergonomics The session covered four main topics, namely, the basis for office safety, office hazards and preventive measures, office ergonomics, and the introduction of the CCaSS EHS solution cluster. The discussion began with a video clip showing how complacency is the breeding ground for accidents, then proceeded to some insights on the legislation and department orders focusing on ensuring a safe working environment. The second part focused on the types of hazards encountered in the office or at home, and how these hazards affect individuals, while the third part focused on ways to prevent injuries and how to eliminate these hazards.  The team also presented the potential risks of EHS-related concerns to businesses. The team discussed how the CCaSS EHS solution cluster could help businesses avoid these risks and damages by offering services that will help companies to manage EHS-related liabilities such as EHS Risk Assessment and Management, EHS Due Diligence, and EHS Management Consulting Services. To conclude the session, SGVeans were encouraged to show their commitment in promoting a safe working environment and make SGV a better working space for everyone.  For those who were not able to attend the session, the session recording can still be accessed through this link.  The Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council’s Sustainabits initiative is a half-hour webcast that covers ideas, movements, principles, and industry best practices around sustainability, social equity, and climate change.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Associate Jouelle Hannah Nerveza was the resource speaker in a seminar on sustainability with the theme “Refining Business Practices Through Sustainable Marketing.” The seminar was organized by the BSBA major in Marketing Management faculty of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila on 16 February 2023. Jouelle receives Certificate of Appreciation Jouelle introduced SGV, CCaSS, and SGV’s journey toward sustainability. She discussed the four pillars of sustainability - economic, environment, social and governance - and its drivers - regulators and government, investors, NGOs and communities, employees, customers, and private entities. She also shared the significant sustainability developments in the standards and guidance around sustainability reports.  Jouelle talked about examples of greenwashing, which is the practice of deceptive marketing to make an organization or product appear environmentally friendly, to help consumers identify products that make misleading environmental claims. She highlighted the importance of marketing professionals in the promotion and implementation of sustainable practices within the company or organization. She also emphasized the significance and principles of sustainable marketing and how it differs from traditional marketing. Jouelle wrapped up her presentation by sharing how marketing professionals can lead in the sustainability space. She also encouraged participants to begin their journey towards sustainability. 

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Engr. Keith S. Celebre was the technical resource speaker on “Sustainable Skylines: Low-carbon future of buildings and construction” at the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development webinar on 4 March 2023 via Zoom. The event was organized by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. – Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (PICE-EPSA) International Charter I-01 in collaboration with PICE-South Korea Chapter. Keith receives Certificate of Appreciation Keith during the Q&A portion Keith talked about the climate-related risks facing the buildings and construction sector, and how the sector can contribute to global decarbonization goals by incorporating sustainability in the design process. He also talked about how net zero carbon buildings integrate sustainability by designing for energy efficiency and decreasing reliance on non-renewable energy sources during their operation. He highlighted how whole-life net zero carbon can also be achieved by taking into account the emissions from the entire life cycle of the buildings — from the manufacture of construction materials up to the treatment processes after their end-of-life. After his presentation, Keith participated in the question-and-answer portion to clarify some of his discussion points. There was also an open forum where the participants asked about recent technologies, green building certifications, and business feasibility of sustainable engineering practices.

SGV Partners Lucy L. Chan (LLC), Martin C. Guantes (MCG), Belinda T. Beng Hui (BTB), Ma. Emilita L. Villanueva (ELV), Warren R. Bituin (WRB), Czarina R. Miranda (CRM), Noel P. Rabaja (NPR), Editha V. Estacio (EVE), Tesi Lou S. Guanzon (TSG), Josenilo G. Mendoza (JGM), Charisse Rossielin Y. Cruz (CYC), Bryan Chrisnel M. Baes (BMB), Eleanore A. Layug (EAL), and Leslie Anne G. Huang (LGH) joined the UP Virata School of Business 2022 Alumni Homecoming held on 11 February 2023 at the Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business, University of the Philippines (Diliman) (UP VSB). SGV Partners with Dean Maria Regina Lucia M. Lizares SGV Partners posing with their awards and Dean Lizares Lucy, Martin, and Belinda were part of the 1992 (Pearl) honoree class while ELV was part of the 1997 (Silver) honoree class. The Alumni Homecoming honored distinguished alumni as well as the classes of 1962 (Diamond), 1967 (Emerald), 1972 (Golden), 1977 (Sapphire), 1982 (Ruby), 1987 (Coral), 1992 (Pearl), 1997 (Silver) and members of BSBAA Class 2022 who passed the 2022 CPA Licensure Examination. All BSBA, BSBAA, MBA, MS Finance, MS Management, and PhD graduates of Classes 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017 were also invited. 

SGV Clark Partner In-Charge and Head Margaux A. Advincula (MAA), SGV Assurance Partner and DIWATA President Eleanore A. Layug (EAL), and SGV Senior Policy Adviser, Ambassador and DIWATA Chairman Delia Domingo Albert (DDA), together with representatives from the Land Rover Club of the Philippines, the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), and FWD Insurance visited the Solar Lolas Community in Bamban, Tarlac, on 4 March 2023. The visit was in line with the ongoing effort to support and maintain the “Tanging Tanglaw” rural electrification project. 50 participants attended the event. DIWATA members and representatives from the Land Rover Club of the Philippines, PMSEA, and FWD Insurance with the Solar Lolas and their community in Bamban, Tarlac The group during breakfast at the SGV Clark office before heading to Tarlac "Tanging Tanglaw" is a sustainable, collaborative program established in 2015 by DIWATA, the PMSEA, and the Land Rover Club of the Philippines to help members of the IP community learn how to set up, maintain, and fix solar panels so that they can have access to electricity. 

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Katrina F. Francisco (KFF) and Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Small and Medium-Sized Entities (SMEs) & Small and Medium-Sized Practitioners (SMPs) Development Committee Member and CCaSS Director Crystal Aleli R. Cornell joined the PICPA 2023 SMEs and Practitioners Summit with the theme “Play it Forward: Securing a Sustainable Future through SMEs and SMPs,” on 27 February 2023 via Zoom. The Summit aimed to update the participants from SMEs and SMPs on current regulatory policies and pronouncements affecting their operations, as well as on IT and new business trends that will enhance their operational efficiency. Katrina (top left), Crystal (bottom left), PICPA SME & SMP Development Committee Chair Jacqueline Yu Villar (top right) and PICPA National Committee on Sustainability and ESG Reporting Chair Michael C. Gallego (bottom right) Katrina receives Plaque of Appreciation from PICPA Katrina talked about sustainability and SMEs’ role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She discussed how the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into business models, decision-making, and capital allocation can transform businesses and enable sustainable development. She mentioned that SMEs are critical to the health, stability, and sustainability of the global economy. She also discussed the benefits of ESG integration to SMEs and how SMEs can approach, measure, and report their SDG contributions. In the open forum, Katrina answered questions related to her discussion while Crystal served as the moderator. The webinar concluded with the presentation of plaques of appreciation to the resource speakers. The webinar is part of the three-day SMEs and Practitioners Summit organized by the PICPA National SMEs & SMPs Development Committee.

SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula (MAA) was a Q&A facilitator during the General Membership Meeting organized by The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham) North Luzon, which was held at the Clark Marriott Hotel, Clark, Pampanga on 17 January 2023. Atty. Margaux and Ms. Karen during the Q&A portion Atty. Margaux (second from left) with AmCham Philippines President Frank Thiel (leftmost), AmCham Philippines Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe (second from right), and a participant During the Q&A portion of the event. Atty. Margaux relayed questions to Business and Investment Department for Manufacturing and Maritime of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Department Manager Karen G. Magno regarding areas covered in Ms. Magno’s presentation at the meeting. The General Membership Meeting was attended by AmCham members from North Luzon. Among the attendees were AmCham North Luzon President Goeran Soelter, AmCham Philippines President Frank Thiel, and AmCham Philippines Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe.

The SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team, along with guest speakers from ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), hosted the third episode of the Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council's WebCCaSS for FY23 on 3 March 2023. The session, titled "Flip the Switch: Moving towards the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP)," informed SGVeans on the Firm’s transition to renewable energy, the benefits of switching to renewable energy through GEOP, and ways to responsibly manage individual electricity consumption.  Clairma delivers her opening remarks SGV Chief Sustainability Officer Clairma T. Mangangey (CTM) delivered her opening remarks and talked about the relevance and timeliness of renewable energy as a solution for climate change. The presenters during the session were CCaSS Manager Judd Tablazon, CCaSS Senior Associate Goldianne Madriaga, and CCaSS Associates Emmanuel Regondola and Annabel Coronel who covered topics on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and computing GHG emissions.   ACEN RES Assistant Vice President for Commercial Operations and Head of Account Management Ela Mina and ACEN RES Account Manager Jaime Dayrit talk about GEOP The event was also graced by ACEN RES Assistant Vice President for Commercial Operations and Head of Account Management Ela Mina, and ACEN RES Account Manager Jaime Dayrit who shared details about GEOP. They shared how the program will help reduce SGV’s emissions through the switch to renewable energy. The session concluded with a Declaration of Commitment called “A Plan Towards a Responsible Action” encouraging SGVeans to take a step toward responsible electricity consumption.