2023

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), in collaboration with SGV as its Knowledge Partner, conducted the 2023 NextGen CEO program from June to November 2023. This marks the program’s third year and aims to empower leaders to future-proof their businesses and emerge as transformative trailblazers in their respective sectors. The program concluded with the graduation ceremony and the recognition of the Outstanding Transformative Leader along with special awardees on 9 November 2023 at the Sheraton Hotel. SGV Consulting Leader and EY Asean Business Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo, Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Pena, SGV Consulting Markets Leader and Principal Lee Carlo Abadia, and Consulting Principal Randall C. Antonio led the program with the sponsorship of SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan. Consulting support team members Carol Aquino-Formilleza, Irish Anne Galaroza, and Patricia Ann Empleo assisted with planning and logistics for the face-to-face classes and virtual catch-ups. NextGen Leaders receive plaques of recognition The recognized Transformative Leaders are: 2023 Outstanding Transformative Leadership Awardee Donn GamboaWhite Cloak Technologies, Inc.Project: Unang Paglinang – Aims to provide an avenue for young, bright minds to leapfrog societal barriers and grasp a brighter, more secure future while contributing to the country’s rise as a go-to destination for IT Talent.  2023 Transformation Challenge Special Awardees Atty. Jo Kristine “Kaye” CeleraRegulatory Affairs Director – East ZoneManila Water CompanyProject: SCALE-UP - Aims to effectively create a culture of responsible sanitation management. Rolan Marco “Rolan” GarciaFounding CEO and Managing PartnerEmbiggen GroupProject:  Embiggen Ventures – Aims to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence’s use in driving new disruptive businesses. NextGen CEO Transformative Leaders Efren Caringal, Jr.COOInsular Life Neal Carlson “Neal” CoGeneral ManagerParkmall Micah del CarmenPresidentNoahsys Corporation Gene Atilano GañganDirector for Research and Talent Intelligence PracticeZMG Ward Howell, Inc. Eduardo Luis “Ed” LuyPresident and COOMacroAsia Corporation    Sergio “Serge” Oñate Ramos IIIPresident and Co-FounderPCI Innovations Tech Center, Inc.  Elvin Ivan “Elvin” UyExecutive DirectorPhilippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Al Douglas “A.D.” VillaosSenior AVP - Business DevelopmentVivant Energy Corporation Juan Antonio “Ja” VillaluzPresidentSouthland College Cristina “Tina” VivasHead of Consumer Goods and Retail, Food Service, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals DivisionZMG Ward Howell, Inc. Technology@Speed Plenary participants The program commenced on 29 June with a Leading with Purpose session.  Through 20 July to 17 August, various plenary sessions delved into EY’s transformative drivers: Humans@Center, Technology@Speed, and Innovation@Scale. Social events were also integrated into the program on 24 August and 19 October. Leading with Purpose session Technology@Speed Plenary with guest speaker Noel Mendoza Leaders in their respective fields were invited as plenary guest speakers to share insights and experiences related to each of the transformative drivers. These included EY Singapore Business Consulting Partner Zee Fakier, EY Sydney Associate Director Nadia Woodhouse, AIA Philippines Chief Technology Officer Noel Mendoza, and Sanofi Australia & New Zealand Managing Director Gladys Peters. BS Works Chief Executive Officer and NextGen Committee Chair Cliff Eala was also present.  SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan speaks at the SGV-MAP social event NextGen Committee Chair Cliff Eala gives his speech at the SGV-MAP social event As the program’s final requirement, participants proposed a transformative idea for implementation within their respective companies, sector, or larger community. These ideas should embody Purpose and the transformative drivers emphasized during the program. The participants were coached by CL Follosco Group, Inc. CEO and President Maria Ester Follosco-Bautista; UBE Media, Inc. President Donna May Lina; Asticom Technology Inc. President and CEO Mharicar Castillo Reyes; Pacific Sun Solutions, Inc. President Deliza Goze Ridoloso and SGV Consulting Partners Rossana A. Fajardo, Ryan Gilbert K. Chua, Jan Ray G. Manlapaz, Marnelli Eileen J. Fullon, Charisse Rossielin Y. Cruz, Warren R. Bituin, and Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia. 

SGV partners, managers, and staff participated in the Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition. The conference, with the theme “Seeing Green: Shaping a Sustainable Minerals Development Industry,” was organized by The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines. This was the first in-person Mining Philippines Conference in three years since the pandemic. It was held at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila. (From left to right) SGV Senior Policy Advisor, former Ambassador Delia Domingo Albert, EY Global Lead Mining & Metals Analyst Associate Director Angie Beifus, SGV CCaSS Partner Katrina F. Francisco, SGV Market Group 7 Leader Jose Pepito E. Zabat III, and Alumni Partner Jaime “Jimmy” F. Del Rosario SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Katrina F. Francisco was a resource speaker on “Leveraging environmental, social, and governance (ESG) for social responsiveness.” In the session co-presented by SGV, Katrina talked about unlocking lasting benefits for social development and management programs.  EY Global Lead Mining & Metals Analyst Associate Director Angie Beifus was also a resource speaker on “Optimizing opportunities: The global landscape of mineral development.” SGV Assurance Partner Eleanore A. Layug and SGV Market Group 7 Leader Jose Pepito E. Zabat III (center) with members of the mining and metals sector group SGV had an SGV Sustainability Booth during the conference. Delegates from the exploration, mining, mineral processing and services industries including professional associations attended the event. 

SGV Consulting Partner Joseph Ian M. Canlas was a speaker at the 64th Annual National Convention and Seminar organized by the Association of Government Internal Auditors (AGIA) from 17 to 20 October at the Boracay Newcoast Convention Center in Malay, Aklan. Around 800 participants attended the sessions in-person, while 200 participated virtually.  Ian at the AGIA 64th Annual National Convention and Seminar Ian talked about navigating the complexities of risk. He shared insights on current and emerging risks, the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework and related roles and responsibilities, and examples of ERM implementation best practices applied by government agencies. Ian receives token of appreciation from AGIA Board Other speakers from the public and private sector and academe also conducted technical training sessions and panel discussions on topics such as the future of IA, use of data analytics, leadership, governance, integrity, accountability, and navigating risks. AGIA is a non-government organization that aims to provide quality seminars and training for internal auditors and allied professionals in the Philippine public sector.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Glenda C. Anisco-Niño was a panelist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation’s 2nd Sustainability Forum on “Advocating Sustainability as a Serious Business.” The forum was held on 24 October 2023 at the RCBC Hexagon Lounge. It was also streamed online to RCBC clients. The forum aimed to highlight RCBC’s commitment to sustainable finance and development. Glenda at RCBC’s 2nd Sustainability Forum Glenda talked about sustainability for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reconciling costs, the possible long-term benefits of sustainability, and ways for SMEs to start integrating sustainability in their operations. She also discussed how banks can further support SMEs in their sustainability objectives. RCBC President and Chief Executive Officer Eugene S. Acevedo delivered the opening remarks and provided an overview of the bank’s sustainable-finance programs. RCBC Chief Sustainability Officer Armi Laberte spoke about the bank’s sustainability highlights and plans. Glenda (second from right) with co-panelists and moderator during the panel discussion During the panel discussion on Sustainable Finance, Glenda was joined by co-panelists RCBC Chief Risk Officer Gabby Tomas, RCBC Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Banking Beth Coronel, and Topline Energy Independent Director and former Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Atty. Leonido Pulido.

The SGV Consulting team organized the 8th installment of the SheInspires series titled “The Style Revolution: Creating Great Impressions” on 26 October 2023 at the Washington SyCip Development Center (WSDC) Training Rooms. The seminar aimed to underscore the influence of professional dressing on leadership presence and the development of a stronger brand image in today’s workforce. Business of Style President and CEO Tati Miranda Fortuna at the SheInspires forum Business of Style President and CEO Tati Miranda Fortuna emphasized the importance of making great first impressions. She discussed the ABC of Leadership Presence (Appearance, Behavior, and Communication) and presented a selection of basic clothing essentials for men and women. She also shared a guide to curating a sustainable wardrobe.Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña and Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo delivered the opening and closing remarks, respectively. Consulting Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia and Assurance Partner Djole S. Garcia served as moderators during the question-and-answer session with Tati. Tati talks about work wear wardrobe essentials for men This installment was the first in-person session of the SheInspires series since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

SGV was the technical adviser and official tabulator in the 2023 European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Europa Awards held on 11 October 2023 at the Raffles and Fairmont Makati. 2023 Europa Awards Tabulators with the ECCP Europa Awards organizing team Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte, CCaSS Directors Diana Rose A. Sadili and Ricardo S. Maulion Jr., Senior Associate Marsha P. Batusbatusan, and Associate Sofia Maria J. Evangelista served as tabulators and technical advisers for the event. They provided technical advice on the awards categories and scoring framework developed by ECCP and tabulated data from ECCP’s technical judges. The Europa Awards aim to recognize companies with exceptional performance in and contributions to promoting sustainability in line with global standards and the Philippine Development Plan.

Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño conducted a series of expanded withholding tax (EWT) seminars in the SGV Makati, Clark, Cebu, and Davao offices from 23 to 29 September 2023. More than 300 participants attended the seminars across the four SGV offices.  Leo at the EWT seminar in SGV Cebu   Leo provided comprehensive discussions on the nature of EWT. He highlighted the general rules on substantiation of local purchases, giving the participants guidance in determining the proper EWT base and rules in claiming income tax deductions. EWT seminar attendees in SGV Makati Other Partners who joined the sessions in the various SGV offices were SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge Margaux A. Advincula, GCR Partner Saha P. Adlawan-Bulagsak, Transfer Pricing Partner Auresana B. Ines, Business Tax Services (BTS) Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong, SGV GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia, and GCR Partner Lee Celso R. Vivas.  GCR Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla hosted the sessions in SGV Makati and Clark. The seminars also featured interactive hands-on exercises on the practical application of EWT concepts to reinforce the participants’ appreciation of these tax compliance concepts. 

SGV held an Executive Briefing for its Alumni Partners on 16 October 2023 at the SGV 1, Washington SyCip Development Center (WSDC) Training Rooms.  Alumni Partners at the Executive Briefing SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz delivered the opening remarks. Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Principal Bonar A. Laureto, Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Leader Aris “Bok” C. Malantic, and Consulting Principal Armand N. Cajayon were the resource speakers during the briefing.  Executive Briefing attendees Bonar and Bok talked about the impact of sustainability standards on businesses and accounting, respectively. Armand provided a short introduction on Blockchain. The speakers also led Q&A sessions after their respective discussions.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Katrina F. Francisco and Director Reynaldo C. Azarcon, Jr. earned the title of Certified Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) Professional after successfully passing the BERDE Professionals Qualifying Examination. BERDE is a tool to assess, measure, monitor, and certify the performance of projects above and beyond existing national and local building and environmental laws, regulations, and mandatory standards. Certified BERDE Professionals Rey and Katrina at the Building Green 2023 Conference Katrina and Rey completed the training for BERDE - Buildings Version 4.2.0. They also attended the Building Green 2023 Conference, which focused on "Pursuing Public-Private Cooperation in Net Zero through Green Building." The training and conference were held from 26 to 28 September 2023 at the Modala Beach Resort Hotel in Bohol. The conference covered Local Actions on Green Building, National Programs on Sustainability, Regional Perspective on Public and Private Cooperation to Advance Green Building, and the Latest Green Building Innovations, Strategies, and Solutions (IS2).  The BERDE Program was established by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) as an appropriate response to the Philippine construction industry's need to proactively address the negative impacts of climate change.  Congratulations, Katrina and Rey!

SGV Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo was one of the speakers at the 8th Mindanao Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Cluster Conference, with the theme “Accelerating SMART CITY in Mindanao: Built on connectivity and cybersecurity.” The conference was held from 18 to 19 October 2023 in Butuan City. Rossana at the 8th Mindanao ICT Cluster Conference Rossana’s talk shed light on the remarkable intersection between women and technology, showcasing the invaluable role that women play in today’s innovation and digital advancement-driven technology industry. She also shared recommendations for closing gender disparities in the field of technology.  She highlighted SGV and EY initiatives to support and empower women in technology, such as the Women in Technology (WiT) program and the EY STEM app. Rossana with Caraga ICT Cluster Inc. President and Butuan City Councilor Cherry May G. Busa The WiT program is a comprehensive and inclusive endeavor aimed at supporting girls and women to explore, excel, and lead in the world of technology. It includes educational programs to promote and develop girls' interest and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), incubation efforts to nurture women's leadership potential in technology, support for female tech entrepreneurs, and the innovative fostering of a diverse and empowered technical workforce. The EY STEM app is an interactive platform which aims to inspire young girls to pursue STEM professions by offering gamified content focused on science and technology. This educational tool has already been successfully deployed in New Delhi, Seattle and Atlanta, as well as in other locations in Oceania, India and the Philippines. SGV is currently in discussions with a school to roll out the EY STEM app in Mindanao. Rossana’s talk also aligned with the launch of Butuan City's SMART Gender and Development (GAD) Code, which sets the stage for a gender-responsive, inclusive, digitally resilient, and safe environment in the city.