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Tax conducts BIR audit webinar   The SGV Cebu and Davao Tax Teams held a CPD-accredited tax briefing titled How to Survive BIR Audit Amidst a Pandemic last 29 October. Tax Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong (CCO) discussed the BIR audit program and the tax audit process. She spoke on taxpayer remedies and leading practices in handling tax audits. She also provided an overview of the Voluntary Assessment and Payment Program (VAPP), including its privileges, corresponding conditions, and requirements.   CCO and SAB presenting at the webinar  Over 100 participants attended the webinar, including accounting and finance personnel, legal and tax practitioners, and compliance officers from various industries and sectors. The webinar was organized through the efforts of Tax Partner Saha A. Bulagsak (SAB); Senior Director Judy Castroverde; Director Edmond Emperio; Senior Associates Jacklyn Solange Yap, Athena Dominique Bandala, May Glyca Reyes, and Marisol Santiago; and Associates Michael Linus Uy, Clarissa Mae Sy, Martha Aurora Leh, and Cybill Marie Tamayo. 

SGV celebrated its second virtual Staff Anniversary party on 30 September 2021 with the theme Above & Beyond.  SGV CMP Wilson P. Tan, EY Global Chairman and CEO Carmine Di Sibio, EY ASEAN RMP Nam Soon Liew SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT) opened the program with a message inspiring SGVeans to remain committed to our values and our Purpose. He was followed by EY Global Chairman and CEO Carmine Di Sibio, who recognized the contributions of the Firm and its people in building a better Philippines and a better working world for 75 years. EY ASEAN Regional Managing Partner (RMP) Nam Soon Liew then gave a special message acknowledging the diligence of SGV people. TV news anchor Nikki de Guzman hosted the virtual event. The anniversary program featured this year’s Loyalty, Special and SyCip Awards as well as the announcement of promotions of staff to CBS Director, Senior Director and Executive Director. A video tribute in honor of retired SAT and MG2 Leader Ramon D. Dizon was also played.  Host Nikki de Guzman, SGV Partners singing “One Purpose”, SGV Glee, SGV DC and volunteer dancers Other event highlights included a performance by our Partners of the winning SGV Purpose Song titled One Purpose, thrilling performances by the SGV DC and volunteer dancers, soulful serenades by SGV Glee, and special performances from this year’s SGV’s Got Talent winners. Performers during the SGV Staff Anniversary Party  There were also entertainment numbers by comedian Jon Santos, musical group Pinopela and a mini concert by the very popular band, Ben & Ben. 

Assurance Senior Director Raphael Erickson de Leon received this year's SyCip Award for his outstanding competence, commitment and client leadership, which allowed SGV to earn the trust and admiration of a global e-commerce and digital solutions conglomerate resulting in significant additional engagements from the client’s other geographies and locations.  2021 SyCip Awardee He was also recognized for his progressive and innovative business leadership, which elevated SGV’s profile as a trusted business advisor that delivers deep and effective insights and solutions, and helps global clients realize their aspirations and achieve their goals. The individual recipients of the Special Award for a Better Working World - Client Leadership were Assurance Senior Director Jonathan Bino, FSO-Consulting Director Dominique Raissa Torralba, Assurance Senior Director Dione Cristy Velina-Goce, Tax Senior Director Ana Katrina De Jesus, Consulting Senior Director Catherine Chua, Talent CBS Supervisor Larra Mateo and Assurance Director Ayeese Ceelin Anza.  The team Special Award for a Better Working World - Client Leadership recipients were the Project Taurus team, the Nurturing Leaders Internship Program Team, Project Phoenix team and the Audit team for a global shared services organization. The team Special Award for a Better Working World - Business Leadership recipients were the Brand, Marketing and Communications Team, Team Gaea and the Audit team for a global business bank. The individual recipients of the Special Award for Better Me - Personal Leadership were Strategy and Transactions Senior Associate Kieth Adrian Andaya, Assurance Senior Associate Lyndon Marcus Baluyot, Tax Associate Director Joanne Lansangan, Assurance Senior Director Dexter Allan Noel Madamba, and Learning and Development Team Supervisor Elisa Cabral. The team recipients of the Special Award for Better Us - Team Leadership were Talent Consultants Team, the PMO team supporting the Philippi ne National ID System implementation, the Project Genesis Team, the FSO Transfer Pricing Team, the EY Badge Bootcamp Team and the ITTS – TP Core Team. The individual recipient of the Special Award for Better Us - Team Leadership was Strategy and Transactions Director Alma Angeli Placido. The team recipient of the Special Award for a Better Working World - Impact on Society was the Quantitative Services (QS) Team. Congratulations to our SyCip and Special awardees!

The first SGV eSportsfest kicked off last 26 August and concluded on 8 October 2021. Eleven teams, consisting of the eight Market Groups (MGs), Consulting, Tax and Business Enablement Services competed in the eSportsfest.  MG4 Partners and MG4 Representatives with the SGV eSportsfest committee The MG4 team was declared as the overall champion, with MG7 in second place and MG3 in third place. The teams competed in various virtual sporting events, including Zumba, Trivia night, Mystery experience, Customized SGV Escape room, Mobile Legends tournament, banner making contest and cheering competition. The SGV eSportsfest is part of the Firm’s milestone 75th anniversary celebration to encourage team camaraderie and promote a healthy lifestyle among SGV people. 

SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT), MG2 Leader Marydith C. Miguel (MCM), Business Enablement Services Leader Jaime del Rosario (JFR), former Chairman and Managing Partner Cirilio P. Noel (CPN) and Alumni Partner Baltazar N. Endriga (BNE) were recognized as part of the University of the East’s Most Outstanding Alumni on 2 October 2021 as part of the University’s 75th Foundation Anniversary celebration.   The honorees represent various degree programs of the University and belong to various industries. They were chosen for their excellence in their careers and their invaluable contributions in their respective fields and in nation-building.  Former SGV Chairmen and Managing Partners Carlos R. Alindada and Rizalino S. Navarro, along with SGV Alumni Partners Rodolfo Jeturian, Antonieta Fortuna-Ibe and Guillermo N. Carague were also recognized as the University of the East’s Gems. Congratulations!

SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT) was invited by the College of Business Administration of the University of the East (UE) – Caloocan to be the key resource person during the 4th CFO Lecture Series on 28 September 2021. The initiative is part of UE’s 75th Foundation Anniversary celebration. WPT presenting during the session WPT talked about the important roles of CPAs amidst the pandemic and how they can be instrumental in helping rebuild the nation. He also discussed the various technological advances that help enable auditors to perform their tasks.  UE Caloocan Chancellor Dr. Zosimo M. Battad, Dean Emeteria Dalisay, Student Affairs Office Director Mr. Clemente Diwas, CBA Associate Dean Abner Aquino and CAS Associate Dean Michelle Concepcion were in attendance. Most of the faculty of the College of Business Administration also joined the call. There were 260 attendees in the Zoom Meeting and 70 in the FB live stream.

The Talent Team conducted the pilot run of the SGV Nurturing Leaders Internship Program (NLIP) from 16 August to 17 September 2021. The curated learning program is designed to help interns know more about SGV, our culture and purpose, and to be exposed to various learning sessions related to our service lines, soft skills training, and Talent-related modules. The pilot batch of interns consisted of 300 4th-Year Accountancy students nationwide.  SGV NLIP participants during their various online learning sessions   SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT) and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz (VCR) kicked off the program by delivering messages focused on Purpose and how it was more relevant today as the interns began their personal purpose journey through the different sessions during their five weeks of internship. Topics covered in the program were facilitated by different Managers and Senior Associates from the four service lines. The topics included Audit Simulation, Sustainability Reporting, Basic Concepts of Income Tax and VAT, Accountants as Transformational Leaders, Introduction to Cybersecurity, Privacy and Resilience, Strategy and Transactions, General Philippine Economic Overview and Case Studies. Talent-related sessions were conducted on personal branding, mental health and using LinkedIn profiles.  The program concluded with a culminating activity hosted by the Recruitment team and the interns surprised the organizers with a compiled video message from the different interns expressing their appreciation and thanks for the program. The organizing team included Talent Manager Anne Rubia, Talent Supervisors Julia Deypalan and Michelle Ong, Talent Associates Mariane Riano, Angelou Remo and Kayla Resente. SGV Partners from Assurance, Tax, Consulting and Strategy and Transactions were also instrumental in the overall success of this initiative. 

SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT) and General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on joint work by the Firm and the city government in producing the first Doing Business in General Santos City publication.  SGV and General Santos city MOA signing SGV will provide free technical assistance to the Gensan City Government in the conceptualization, design, coverage and publication of Doing Business in Gensan City in printed and digital versions. The local government will provide the Firm with all the key information needed, including its current social, political and economic profile, demographics and other relevant data.  WPT signed the MOA at the SGV office last 28 July 2021 and it was sent to Mayor Rivera at the General Santos City Hall, where he signed the MOA last 8 September 2021. Market Group 4 Leader Ma. Veronica R. Pore (VRP) served as the official witness of the signing. This endeavor is part of SGV’s underlying mission to build a better Philippines by supporting the development of local governments and businesses.

SGV Tax Partner Saha A. Bulagsak (SAB) was a speaker at a webinar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce – Mindanao on 24 September 2021. She discussed the CREATE Law and recent issuances of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. JJB, SAB and TFM during the session The event was hosted by AmCham Mindanao with over 30 participants from across the country in attendance. Partner-in-Charge of SGV Davao and General Santos Jose Raoul J. Balisalisa (JJB) hosted and moderated the event. Tax Partner Atty. Thyrza F. Marbas (TFM) joined during the Q&A session.

The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Chapter of General Santos City organized a webinar titled Tax Updates and Common BIR Audit Findings last 25 September 2021. Mr. Rieann F. Gonzales hosted the event and welcomed over 80 participants to the webinar. PICPA General Santos City Chapter Auditor Mr. Ronald Moises Salibio introduced the speakers, SGV Davao Tax Associate Directors Daisy Mer Palomo and Jeffrey Christian Josol.PICPA GenSan webinar attendees  They discussed recent updates on Philippine taxation, particularly BIR issuances for the 3rd quarter of 2021, and provided a refresher on BIR audit processes and common tax issues during a BIR audit. The webinar concluded with an open forum moderated by PICPA General Santos City Chapter Director for Public Practice Ms. Jennifer Porsuelo where the speakers, together with Tax Partner Atty. Thyrza F. Marbas (TFM), addressed the participants’ questions.