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Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña (KSM) and People Advisory Services Executive Directory Lisa Marie Escaler were invited as resource speakers during SM Mindanao’s Innovation Day on 23 September 2021 via Zoom. The conference was attended by around 100 SM executives.  KSM and Lisa along with SM Mindanao executives In their presentation entitled, “Growth Mindset for Transformative Times”, they discussed how people are living in a disruptive era marked by dramatic change and disruption by introducing VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity). They stressed that individuals need vision, understanding, clarity, and agility to counter VUCA. They highlighted and compared the concepts of fixed and growth mindset. They also emphasized the importance of mindset in transformative leadership. Towards the end of their presentation, KSM and Lisa entertained questions from the audience.

On 11 and 18 September 2021, the 2021 SGV tax Review Sessions were held for aspiring CPA board exams takers. The sessions were attended by over 500 participants. The review sessions kicked off with an introduction from Tax Partner and Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) sub-service line leader Sonia D. Segovia (SDS).  The first lecture on Corporate Income Tax was delivered by Tax Partner and Country Leader for Accounting Compliance and Reporting (ACR) and Global Payroll Operate (GPO) Aaron C. Escartin (ACE). This was followed by a lecture on Personal Income Tax by Tax Partner and Country Leader for People Advisory Services (PAS) Czarina R. Miranda (CRM). After this, Tax Senior Stewart Herbie T. Po shared his experiences as an accounting student and tax professional. The session closed with a lecture on Withholding Taxes by Tax Partner Michael A. Madlangbayan (MAM).  SGV Partners and GCR team conducting the review sessions The final day of the tax review session started with an introduction from SGV Tax Leader and Partner Fabian K. delos Santos (FKS). The first lecture on Value-added Tax was delivered by Tax Partner Hentje Lee L. Leaño (LLL). This was followed by a lecture on Special Topics covering PEZA, local business tax, and real property tax, among others, by Tax Partner Saha A. Adlawan-Bulagsak (SAB). After this, GCR Associate Director Iana Jaye J. Navarro shared her experiences as a student and a tax professional. The final lecture, on Remedies, was delivered by Tax Principal Atty. Betheena C. Dizon (BCD).  Tax Partner and Market Group 3 Leader Henry M. Tan (HMT) gave the closing remarks. The GCR team also conducted separate tax review sessions for SGV’s non-CPA staff last 10 and 17 September, which were facilitated by Tax Senior Directors. These events were spearheaded by Hanna Sanchez-Rojo and Katherine Fernandez, both GCR Senior Directors, under the guidance of the GCR People Value lead Partners, Maricris U. See (MUS) and LLL. The program for each tax review session was moderated by GCR Senior Director Don Don Mojica. SGV’s Talent Team was also represented during the 11 and 18 September sessions.

SGV’s Financial Services Organization and Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) teams held a webinar on Sustainable Finance last 15 September 2021. Over 650 participants from the banking and financial services industry were present at the event.  Sustainable Finance webinar speakers Assurance Partner and Banking Capital Markets Leader Janeth Nunez-Javier (JNJ) gave the opening remarks, where she discussed how financial institutions are focusing on climate change and sustainability not just because of regulatory requirements but due to the increasing demand from various stakeholders. She also noted that more awareness is still needed for organizations to integrate climate, environmental and social risks into their governance, capital assessment and risk management systems and practices.     Supervisory Policy and Research Development (SPRD) Financial Supervision Sector (FSS) Deputy Director Rhodora Brazil-de Vera of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) discussed updates and the initiatives of the BSP on sustainable finance. This was followed by a discussion on ASEAN developments, and the challenges and trends that will affect financial services in the region, from EY Singapore Financial Services Business Consulting Partner Wolfram Hedrich. SGV Assurance – CCaSS Senior Director Katrina Francisco discussed sustainable finance products and their impact. The Environmental and Social Risk Management System (ESRMS) roadmap for sustainable finance was also discussed during the session.  Financial Services Consulting Partner and Government & Public Sector Leader Christian G. Lauron delivered the closing remarks. CCaSS Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (BNV) moderated the event and Assurance–Financial Services Senior Director Glenda C. Anisco-Nino served as the host during the session and provided relevant materials for the webinar. The logistics team was led by FSO Senior Director Mary Catherine M. Biliran.

SGV’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (BNV) participated as a panelist in the Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) event The Day We Go Zero held last 20 September 2021.  BNV joins the Day We Go Zero panel Energy Development Corporation believes that decarbonizing the country is one of the ways in which we can mitigate the effects the climate crisis has on the planet.In this event, EDC President and COO Richard Tantoco talked about how businesses are going beyond sustainability and how companies like Arthaland, SGV & Co., Silliman University, Knowles Electronics (Philippines) Corp., First Balfour, Drink and Unilever Philippines in the Net-Zero Carbon Alliance are already doing it by working to become carbon neutral as pioneer members of the Net Zero Carbon Alliance that the company has initiated. BNV highlighted that decarbonizing the business sector depends on companies’ different capabilities to do so. Net Zero Carbon is a journey, and other companies are still in stages of recovery. BNV added that even without incentives, businesses voluntarily report on sustainability initiatives and promote a circular economy, because doing so adds to companies’ long-term value. Afterwards the guest speakers gave their closing remarks and pledged to decarbonize the business sector through their companies, BNV encouraged organizations to take advantage of sustainable finance, such as issuing green bonds. Event moderator and host Danie Laurel closed the event with a challenge to the pioneer members of Drink, Arthaland, First Balfour Inc., Unilever, and Knowles Corp. to fulfil their Net Zero Carbon 2030 pledge. Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director, Emmanuel M. De Guzman, and politician and environmentalist Loren Legarda were also speakers at the event.

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!