2026

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Manager Crystal Aleli R. Cornell served as moderator for the panel discussion, “ESG and Sustainable Retail – Practical Steps That Save Cost & Build Loyalty,” at the Asia Retail Innovations Summit Philippines 2026 held on 30 April 2026 at Novotel Manila, Quezon City.The summit brought together more than 300 senior executives from the retail, e-commerce, and brand sectors to discuss innovation, collaboration, and emerging trends shaping the future of the Philippine retail industry. Crystal Aleli R. Cornell at the Asia Retail Innovations Summit Philippines 2026As moderator, Crystal facilitated discussions on the role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices in helping retailers achieve measurable business value while strengthening customer loyalty. The session explored practical sustainability initiatives that can support operational efficiency, cost savings, and long-term business resilience. Crystal and the panelists during the panel discussionJoining the panel were Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Vice President for Investor Relations and Corporate Planning Jeremiah Pampolina, FC Home Center Chief Finance Officer and Chief Commercial Officer Nercy Jayne Torilla, and SariSuki Advisor and former Chief Commercial Officer Pavan Powar. (From left to right) Crystal Aleli Cornell, Pavan Powar, Nercy Jayne Torilla, and Jeremiah Pampolina receive plaques of appreciationThe discussion addressed key topics, including the business case for sustainability in retail, the impact of ESG initiatives on customer trust and loyalty, challenges faced by retailers in adopting sustainable practices, and practical steps organizations can take as they begin their ESG journey.Through the session, participants gained insights into the growing importance of sustainability in the retail sector and its potential to create value for businesses, customers, and other stakeholders.

SGV participated in the 4th General Membership Meeting of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) on 29 April 2026 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City, which had as its theme “Leading Through Volatility: Steering Through Geopolitical and Economic Headwinds.” The event gathered business leaders and industry stakeholders in Metro Davao to discuss economic foresight and resilience amid global uncertainty. Lester shares insights with DCCCII members on the theme "Leading Through Volatility: Economic Foresight and Resilience" (photo courtesy of DCCCII)As part of the event’s second session, SGV Strategy and Transactions Senior Director Lester Jeff D. Pawid served as one of the resource speakers and shared insights on the economic implications of current global developments and the evolving geopolitical landscape. His presentation highlighted how businesses can better understand and respond to uncertainty through strategic foresight and resilience. Lester receives certificate of appreciation from DCCCII President Mirasol B. Tiu, DBA (photo courtesy of DCCCII)The session concluded with a panel discussion featuring Lester alongside industry leaders, providing participants with broader perspectives on navigating volatility and identifying opportunities in an increasingly complex business environment.

SGV Assurance Partner and former Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan served as a judge at the 2026 Presidential Filipinnovation Awards – NCR Sub-National Competition during the 2026 National Innovation Day held on 28 to 29 April 2026 in Manila. Wilson with fellow judges at the event As part of the NCR Board of Judges, Wilson joined fellow experts in evaluating innovative entries that showcased Filipino creativity and ingenuity.SGV’s participation reflects the Firm’s continued support for initiatives that champion innovation and contribute to building a more progressive and future-ready Philippines.

SGV hosted the “From Innovation to Governance: AI Factories and Sovereign Intelligence” forum on 27 April 2026 at the Makati Diamond Residences, convening leaders from industry, government, and the technology sector to explore how organizations can scale AI initiatives from experimentation to governed, value-driven pipelines while advancing sovereign AI.The program opened with remarks from SGV Risk Consulting Leader Joseph Ian M. Canlas. Consulting Leader Ryan Gilbert K. Chua was also in attendance. The session was hosted by Technology Consulting Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia.The forum brought together leading voices in AI and digital transformation, including EY Asean and Singapore Consulting Leader Gaurav Modi, veteran AI and data leader Hardeep Arora, NVIDIA Global System Integrators & Consulting Partner Lead for ASEAN Yogesh Patil, and Cartesia Founder and CEO Karan Goel.The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by SGV Technology Consulting Leader Warren R. Bituin. Panelists included President and Co-Founder of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines Michelle Alarcon, and Senior Science Research Specialist at the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST ASTI) Elmer C. Peramo. The panel fostered a meaningful exchange on advancing responsible, scalable, and sovereign AI initiatives in the Philippines.Through this forum, SGV reinforced its commitment to helping organizations navigate the evolving AI landscape, bridging innovation with governance and enabling clients to harness AI technologies responsibly, securely, and at scale.

SGV Assurance Partner and EY Private Leader Kristopher S. Catalan served as a resource speaker at the 2026 International Franchise Conference organized by the Philippine Franchise Association. The conference was held from 23 to 26 April 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.Kristopher led a session on 24 April 2026 on "Turning P&L Insights into Business Growth”. The session was part of the extensive lineup of activities featured during the conference along with conferences and a large-scale exhibition that showcased over 1,000 local and international franchise brands. The session was attended by business and franchise owners, as well as prospective franchise investors seeking to strengthen their financial decision-making capabilities. Kristopher leads the session on “Turning P&L Insights into Business Growth”Kristopher discussed how businesses can use profit and loss (P&L) statements as a tool by understanding their fundamentals, key components, and practical and strategic uses. He also provided a high-level breakdown of each component, guiding participants on how to extract insights and use these for informed business decisions. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A period, where participants raised practical questions on P&L as it relates to franchise operations and evaluation of potential business ventures. Kristopher with the International Franchise Conference attendeesSGV’s continued participation in initiatives like the International Franchise Conference reflects SGV’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in their growth journey.Kristopher was joined at the event by SGV Assurance Managers Krys Adison and Angelika Rose Reotiras.

SGV was recognized as the Best Employer Brand under the Global Clients Program category at the LinkedIn Talent Awards held on 21 April 2026 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila. The achievement reflects SGV’s reputation as an employer of choice and how it continues to shape the Firm’s story.This win builds on SGV’s earlier recognition as a finalist for the same category, reflecting the Firm’s continued efforts to strengthen its employer brand and foster meaningful engagement with its talent community. The LinkedIn awards recognize organizations driving impact across talent, innovation, and the future of work, with finalists selected through data-driven insights on engagement and performance across LinkedIn Talent Solutions.As SGV marks its 80th year, this recognition is a reminder that the SGV brand has always been shaped by its people—partners, employees, contractors and alumni—as well as by its clients and communities—whose shared experiences help bring SGV’s culture to life.With gratitude and pride, SGV celebrates this achievement with the community that continues to build and move SGV forward.

Several SGVeans showcased their athleticism and sportsmanship at the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region and Metro Manila Geographical Area Office (GAO) Badminton and Pickleball Tournament held on 18 April 2026 in Taguig City. The event brought together professionals across Metro Manila, fostering camaraderie, wellness, and meaningful connections beyond the workplace.Among the participants was Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Director under the MUS Cluster Gerald B. Co, who partnered with Meralco Tax Advisory Head and SGV alumnus Nikko Miguel A. Angsico. Representing the PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter, the duo delivered an impressive performance and emerged as champions in the Badminton Men’s Doubles category. SGV GCR Director Gerald B. Co and Meralco Tax Advisory Head Nikko Miguel A. Angsico receive the Championship Plaque for the Badminton Men’s Doubles categoryAdding to the Firm’s achievements, GCR Director under the ERS Cluster Michael Erven Lyon C. Quisao teamed up with SGV alumnus Lance Adrian G. Tan. Representing the PICPA Eastern Metro Manila Chapter, they demonstrated strong teamwork and determination, earning the 2nd Runner-Up title in the Badminton Men’s Doubles category. SGV GCR Director Michael Erven Lyon C. Quisao and SGV alumnus Lance Adrian G. Tan receive the 2nd Runner-Up award for the Badminton Men’s Doubles categoryThe accomplishments of Gerald and Michael reflect the values of teamwork, discipline, and excellence that SGVeans uphold both within and beyond the workplace. Their participation in events such as this underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle while fostering stronger connections within the broader professional community.SGV congratulates Gerald, Michael, and their partners for their outstanding achievements and for proudly representing their respective PICPA chapters.

SGV, through its Philippine Desk and in coordination with the Ernst & Young (EY) New York office, facilitated a high-level meeting on 17 April 2026 between Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go and selected US-based clients, including Equinix and Genpact, enabling direct dialogue on investment opportunities in the Philippines.The meeting also brought together senior officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), highlighting a whole-of-government approach to supporting investors.Secretary Go pledged full government support for companies expanding in the country, with clients expressing strong interest in growing their Philippine operations. Equinix shared updates on its data center investments in Manila, while Genpact highlighted expansion plans across multiple locations through 2028. The discussion also covered key policy developments, including the proposed Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (QDMTT) under the OECD BEPS Pillar 2 framework. SGV will continue to work closely with clients in supporting their expansion plans and navigating the local business and regulatory landscape.

On 16 April 2026, SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader Benjamin N. Villacorte participated in “The Pivot: The Road to a Net Zero Future” at The Fifth at Rockwell in Pasig City, where representatives from Nestlé Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Energy (DOE), and industry leaders gathered to advance sustainability and net zero goals. Benjie speaks at the sustainability forum The event brought together stakeholders from government, business, and civil society to exchange insights, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration on practical sustainability solutions across the value chain. Benjie with other speakers during the panel discussionAs part of the panel discussion, Benjie joined fellow leaders in conversations centered on the importance of partnerships, innovation, and collective action in addressing sustainability challenges. Benjie with Nestlé Philippines Chief Executive Officer Mauricio AlarcónThe forum reinforced that achieving net zero requires collaboration across sectors, with stronger partnerships playing a vital role in driving meaningful and scalable progress. Event attendees from the government and private sectors

SGV, in collaboration with Junior Achievement Philippines (JAPI), successfully delivered two impactful mentoring sessions under the EY Ripples program designed to prepare students for the world of work while grounding their career aspirations in purpose and social impact. The online sessions brought together over 30 SGV volunteers and 100 students for inspiring conversations on careers, employability, and personal growth. EY Ripples–JAPI mentoring session attendeesHeld last April 10, the first mentoring session focused on equipping 65 college students from De La Salle College of St. Benilde - Antipolo with essential job readiness skills through the Career Resume Journey program. Opening the session, SGV Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan (KSC) shared insights on Career Journey and Purpose, encouraging students to reflect on their strengths and long-term aspirations as they begin shaping their professional paths.International Tax and Transaction Services (ITTS) Assistant Director Marie Stella Gudoy and Risk Consulting Associate Norhanifah Usman then led a Resume Writing Workshop, guiding participants through best practices in crafting recruiter-ready resumes. Students gained practical tips on translating their academic experiences into compelling professional narratives.This was followed by a Mock Interview Demonstration, facilitated by Business Consulting Senior Manager Eleonor Camot and Assurance Associate Adelaide Cantillo. The speakers modeled effective communication and confidence while sharing actionable advice. Students and volunteers were then divided into breakout rooms, where the volunteers roleplayed in mock interviews to give students a clearer understanding of employer expectations and provide them practical feedback.The second EY Ripples-JAPI session, Careers with a Purpose, centered on helping 40 senior high school students from Dr. Antonio A. Lizares Memorial High School, St. Scholastica’s College, and Philippine Cultural College Caloocan align their future careers with personal values and societal impact. Held last April 21, the session opened with a keynote address on Purpose Driven Careers by SGV Chief of Staff, Purpose Co-Chair and People, Brand, and Innovation Leader Marnelli Eileen J. Fullon, who emphasized that meaningful careers are built at the intersection of passion, skills, and service to others. Following the keynote, ITTS Managers Atty. Francis Pascua and James Agbayani, and Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Associate Jandy De Chavez presented JAPI’s “Careers with a Purpose” learning sessions, where each speaker also shared their personal career journeys. Through candid storytelling, they encouraged students to think beyond job titles and consider how they can contribute to their communities through their chosen careers.  The session was again divided into breakout rooms, where students shared their dream careers and volunteers guided discussions on purpose.The session concluded with closing remarks from EY Ripples Philippines Head Christine G. Vallejo, who thanked the speakers, mentors, and students for their active participation and reaffirmed EY Ripples’ commitment to nurturing future leaders through mentorship, education, and purposeful engagement.Together, the two EY Ripples-JAPI mentoring sessions emphasized the importance of combining practical career preparation with values driven decision making. By sharing time, experience, and guidance, volunteers helped students gain clarity, confidence, and inspiration as they take their next steps toward meaningful and sustainable careers.