New and improved Washington SyCip Development Center unveiled

Run like an educational institution, SGV upholds its commitment to create an environment that would help its people and its clients achieve their potential through training and education. On 2 July, partners joined SGV Founder Wash SyCip in the unveiling of the newly-renovated Washington SyCip Development Center.

The 550.3 square meter facility houses several training rooms and a gym. “The new Development Center is a symbol of our commitment to continually promoting this legacy and tradition of education.” Mr. SyCip said. Rev. Fr. Boogie Tacdoro, SSP officiated the blessing.

Meet some of SGV’s sports enthusiasts!

Not only do Maricris See and Emmanuel Ang from ACE Cluster excel at work, but they also display excellent prowess in sporting events — running and bowling, respectively.

Maricris recently placed 3rd in the 10k Women’s Division in the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice’s (ACPAPP) first Fun Run event held at the SM Mall of Asia Complex.

Emmanuel, on the other hand, is set to join PICPA’s Southern Metro Manila Chapter Bowling Team to compete in the Association’s Bowling tournament in July. Last April, he competed in the Tenpin Bowling Association of Makati Open where he bagged two bronze medals for Class O Division — All Events and Class A — Division Doubles. In May, he competed in the 9th Euro-Med Storm International Masters Challenge where he played against players from around the world. Emmanuel was also a member of the Pasay City Team in the 25th Asian Intercity Bowling Championships held in Singapore in 2011.

We’re proud of you, Maricris and Emmanuel!

Meet SGV’s Got Talent Season 2 Vocal Category finalists!

Eight of SGV’s finest singers successfully hurdled an intense closed-door audition process to make it to the Grand Finals of SGV’s Got Talent Season 2. Curious? Meet our vocal category hopefuls.

- Rory Conejero, CBS / RDD Cluster
- Edge Jovero, EVE Cluster
- Roger Gavino, JCO Cluster
- Edralin Enriquez, JOM Cluster
- Ryan Andal, LZA Cluster
- Mara Tarrayo, GBS Cluster
- Ralph Gulfo, AMC Cluster
- Miguel Ballelos and Jamailyn Gregorio, VLS Cluster

Watch our finalists battle it out at the Grand Finals this July. See you there!

DDA is UPAA Most Distinguished Alumna for 2012

SGV senior adviser Amb. Delia Albert (DDA) was selected as this year’s Most Distinguished Alumna of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA).

The award is given to one who has achieved distinction in multiple professional fields or areas of endeavor, or has made a greater qualitative or quantitative impact in her profession. Additionally, the nominee must have attained national and possibly international prestige that has brought honor and distinction to the university and the country.

Amb. Albert will be honored during the 2012 General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming and Reunion on 23 June at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman Campus.

SGVean continues to shine

Jhoanna Go featured at UST AMV College of Accountancy 80/20 Magazine

Assurance senior director Jhoanna Go was recently featured in the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Alfredo M. Velayo (AMV) College of Accountancy student magazine 80/20. The article discussed at length Jhoanna’s achievement in accountancy in the public sector, her dynamic life in SGV, which she calls home, and probable plans to teach in the future. “One of the main things I would like to accomplish is to pass on what the profession has taught me. I am keeping my doors open to the possibility of teaching undergraduates; I can very much see myself walking the halls of this college as a professor,” say Jhoanna.

Once again, an SGVean has proven that innate quality and excellence never goes unnoticed.

Spotlight: From Glee, with love

Partners and staff enjoying their Valentine’s Day lunch at the eCafé were pleasantly surprised when the SGV Glee Club spontaneously serenaded them with heartwarming songs in flash mob fashion. Seemingly out of nowhere, sweet voices filled the eCafé as the members of the Glee Club stood up in song and delivered stirring song renditions which included Seasons of Lcve from the hit Broadway musical Rent and You by the Carpenters.
Catch a glimpse of the SGV Glee Club performance.

A day in my life with the Asia-Pacific Talent Hub

FSO Manager Ben Sclater was seconded from Sydney to the Manila-based Asia-Pacific Talent Hub (ATH) late last year, to oversee a cross-border teaming initiative on Office of the Chairman Account Macquarie’s audit – as well as to help set up the ATH team. He talks about a day in his life working with the Talent Hub.

Morning
I wake up in my Manila hotel room. After a quick breakfast, I head to work by car. Walking into the building, I do my best to say ‘Magandang Araw’ – G’day in Tagalog – to my mates in the office. They think my pronunciation is hilarious.

Before noon
This morning I’m running several meetings with the ATH professionals to discuss aspects of Macquarie’s audit. ATH is a new cross-border teaming initiative which provides client service teams across our Area with support and services from professionals based in our Talent Hub based in Manila. Working with the ATH enables us to provide exceptional client service to our accounts, while ensuring our engagements are competitive.
Running the Macquarie engagement, mostly based out of Sydney, with a team of 12 audit professionals in Manila has presented a new set of challenges. To successfully bring team members based in a different geography on board, it’s crucial for our engagement teams to invest their time at the outset. We’re all putting a lot of time and energy into getting Macquarie’s audit planning right and preparing our extended ATH team to be ready for the year-end audit work.
The shift to working with the Manila-based team is requiring wholesale changes. I am building up the team, setting-up and training them on the requirements of the engagement, shifting documentation from paper-based to electronic systems, identifying and building an appropriate method for data transmission and coordinating across borders with both Sydney-based and international contacts. In the coming audit season, we’ll be able to work together seamlessly because both the engagement team and the Talent Hub have put in the hard work in the beginning.

Lunch
After our meetings, I head out to eat with friends from the office. They take me to one of their favorite local places and we chat and joke as we eat. In the Philippines, relationships are incredibly important – family and friends are held in high regard – and I’m getting to know a few people whom I know will be friends for life.

Afternoon
This afternoon I’m leading a training session for the Talent Hub. It’s one of the last days of my secondment. The Talent Hub team is totally committed. Working with them, I’m seeing first-hand what they can accomplish and I’m also witnessing some amazing speed of development. There’s still lots to be done, but I believe the future for the team is very bright.

Evening
So far the ATH team has invited me to everything from Friday night drinks to the 65th Anniversary party for the Philippines practice. Tonight I’m heading out with the team and we’re off to, wait for it… karaoke!

Ben’s post script
I had a blast in Manila and I was also introduced to a few new things, including barongs (a traditional Filipino garment for formal and special occasions) and Red Horse beer. And, after my initial time with the team came to an end, it wasn’t goodbye but Sa muling pagkikita (see you later).I headed back a month later to lead a training session on Australian Asset Management, it was great to catch up with everyone and see the good work they’re doing.