Glimpses

Into the life and times of Punongbayan & Araullo

January 2015

Message

Dear P&Aers,

I am glad to introduce to you the first issue of Glimpses for the new year
2015. Indeed, the past year has been a wonderful year for the Firm,
which was loaded with activities and achievements.
In this issue, we are pleased to present the festive happenings in the Firm
during the last quarter of 2014.
We hope to create more memories with you this new year!

Boyet Murcia
Partner, Audit & Assurance

In this issue:
2 Message from Boyet Murcia
3 Grant Thornton News
Grant Thornton leaders gathered for the 2014 Global Conference
Grant Thornton appoints new Global Leader for Industries

4 P&A Foundation organized nationwide competition

6 P&A held its annual CEO Forum
8 P&Aers celebrate the Yuletide Season
P&Aninda 2014
Yuletide Mass

9 P&A takes kids to the countryside in Kiddie Christmas

11 P&Aers celebrate a frosty Christmas Party
13 P&A branches embrace the holiday season
15 Golden Harvest
Three topnotchers from October 2014 Licensure Examination join

P&A
P&A welcomes two batches of new hires
Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. & Subsidiaries (Special

AuditInitial Public Offering) Audit & Assurance Division named

2014 Founders Award recipient
18 The English Corner

Bookworms Table: Wreck this Journal

Word Central: Gadabout

19 In the Pipeline

Glimpses 2

GTIL News

Grant Thornton News

Grant Thornton leaders gathered for the 2014 Global
Conference

rant Thornton International Ltd

(GTIL) held its 2014 Global
Conference on 21 to 24 October
2014 in Montreal, Canada. The
three-day conference was dubbed, Shaping our
Future Together, which primarily discussed the
capability of GT members to shape the future
and change the global market by working
together.

P&A Chairperson & CEO Marivic Espao was Janis Maghinay, who were part of the Best Jam
also invited to share her inputs on a panel
facilitation team External Forces forum
discussion on What makes us [GT] distinctive group, were also present during the conference.
and the WILL discussion on Gender
Diversity. Also in the conference was
Managing Partner & COO Jun Cuaresma.

Global Jam winners were also awarded at the

conference. The awarding was also aired
through a live webcast to allow other GT
Leaders from different GT member firms
members to witness the event. Individual and
around the globe gathered together to discuss
group awards were given to GT members who
the Firms strategic and development plans on
made huge contribution to the success of the GT
their services, listen to business and corporate
Global Jam. Two P&A staff members, Audit &
talks, and celebrate the success of the GT Global Assurance Senior Manager Sonny Lalunio and
Jam.
Finance & Accounting Outsourcing Director

Grant Thornton appoints new Global Leader for Industries

fter over 40 years of working in the

corporate industry, Grant
Thornton Global Leader for
Industries Terry Back has retired
from his position.

Terry has been instrumental in shaping the

global industry initiative at GTIL, creating a
clear vision to build global capability, driving
cross-border business development, and
developing thought leadership programmes to
raise GTs reputation across nine (9) global
industries. I have really enjoyed the challenge
of the last two years of bringing my own UK
media industry team experience to bear on the
global industry team at GTIL, Terry said.
He was replaced by former GT UK Partner

Chris Tattersall. Chris has spent over 20 years if

working in banking before becoming a
consultant in 2000. He has extensive experience
in operations to IT, product management, sales
and marketing. The newly appointed Global
Leader for Industries looks forward on utilizing
his industry knowledge and experience in
intercultural change management to drive the
Firm to its fullest capability.

Markets also sent his gratitude to Terry and his

trust on Chris ability, I would like to thank
Terry and the team for the significant progress
that we have made under his leadership across all
industry groups. As we strive to be known as
best in class in our industry groups we still have
some way to go and I am confident that under
Chris leadership we will make another giant
step forward.

Chris shared, I am looking forward to building

on the great work done by Terry and the team in
driving the focus on industries forward...I am
excited to work with our industry leaders and
champions across the global organization to
drive our industry strategy to the next level.
Global Leader for Business Development and

Glimpses 3

External Activities

P&A Foundation organized nationwide

competition

&A Foundation, in cooperation with

the Association of Certified Public
Accountants in Commerce and
Industry (ACPACI) and the
Philippine Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (PICPA), held the 16th Search for
Outstanding Accounting Students of the
Philippines (SOASP) Grand Finals last 12
December 2014 at the Century Park Hotel
Manila.
297 participants from 56 schools nationwide
took the Qualifying Examination
simultaneously on 18 October 2014. After a
thorough review and careful evaluation process,
the Top 25 finalists who will proceed to the
Grand Finals were announced.

The Top 25 finalists competed in a Quiz Bee

Challenge which determined the Top 3 finalists
who faced in the final round.

The event was attended by well-known

professionals in the industry namely 2014
PICPA National President Tita Caluya, PICPA
The Top 3 finalists answered questions from the Executive Director Jose Ireneo, 2013 ACPACI
President Consuelo Cadelia, ACPACI
Board of Judges composed of 2014 ACPACI
Executive Director Wilhelmina Cuico, and
President Feliciana Santos, Philippine
ACPACI Auditor & Liaison Director Edna
Duplicators President & COO and PICPA
Constantino. SOASP Project Leader Paz
Committee Chair for the Search Samuel
Villacampa, and Managing Partner & COO Jun Malubay, Tax Advisory & Compliance Partner
Wowie Roguel, and 2013 SOASP first placer and
Cuaresma.
Audit & Assurance Junior Joan Mae Lugtu were
Sharmaine Dianne Mamaed of Ateneo de Davao also present in the event.
University was named as the 2014 SOASP first
placer. On the other hand, Michael John David
of Holy Angel University came in second place,
followed by Catherine Joyce Espineda of
Wesleyan University in third place.

The Top 25 finalists together with (below, L-R) Edna Constantino, Wilhelmina Cuico, Paz Malubay, Samuel Villacampa, Feliciana Santos, Tita
Caluya, Consuelo Cadelia, Jun Cuaresma (above, L-R) Wowie Roguel and Jose Ireneo

Glimpses 4

External Activities

P&A Foundation organized nationwide

competition

Glimpses 5

External Activities

P&A held its annual CEO Forum

he Firm held its annual CEO Forum

on 25 November 2014 at the New
World Hotel Makati. The forum was
dubbed, The Current & Future State
of the Philippine Real Estate & Construction
sector and hosted by multi-awarded broadcast
and print journalist David Celdran.

the real estate and construction industry in the

country.

The 2014 CEO Forum was attended by leaders

and executives from the real estate industry,
financial institutions, investment houses, and
asset management companies.

Distinguished speakers and panelists present in

the event were DMCI Homes Chairman Isidro
Consunji, Department of Trade and Industry
Oxford Business Group (OBG) was the official
Executive Director for Competitiveness Bureau media partner of P&As CEO Forum.
Virgilio Fulgencio, Jones Lang LaSalle LeChiu
Chairperson & CEO Marivic Espao led the
Country Head David Leechiu, Palafox
event with her welcome remarks. Grant
Associates Partner & Senior Urban Planner
Thornton International Global Leader for Tax
Karmina Palafox, PPP Center of the Philippines
Francesca Lagerberg headed the roster of expert OIC-Deputy Executive Director Eleazar Ricote,
speakers and panelists as she talked on the
The Net Group Executive Vice President &
regional trends and opportunities in the real
Director Raymond Rufino, Megawide
estate and construction sectors. During her visit Construction Corporation President, Director
in the Philippines, Francesca was also
& COO Edgar Saavedra, and Colliers
interviewed in ANCs News Now on the rise of International Managing Director David Young.

The P&A Partners together with CEO Forum host David Celdran

Glimpses 6

External Activities

P&A held its annual CEO Forum

Glimpses 7

Employee Activities

P&Aers celebrate the Yuletide Season

P&Aninda 2014
0105 December 2014
P&A Makati Office, 19th Elevator Lobby

P&Aers had an early feel of the Yuletide Season as the Firm organized its holiday mini bazaar, P&Aninda 2014. Staff members and their families and
friends joined in the annual bazaar which ran from 01 to 05 December 2014 at the P&A Makati Office.
A total of 14 merchants sold a variety of items such as accessories, bags, clothes, food products, homemade pastries, jewelries, and perfumes.

Yuletide Mass
17 December 2014
Basement, National Life Building

The holiday is never complete without celebrating the true essence of the season. P&Aers gathered together at the National Life Building
Basement for the Yuletide Mass last 17 December 2014.
The thanksgiving mass was presided by Father Elis Santos and was attended by staff members and partners. People and Culture Group Senior
Ma-eh Mondoedo was the commentator during the mass. Audit & Assurance Manager Rose Ann Dimapilis read the First Reading and
Responsorial Psalm, and P&AGT Assistant Manager Gen Olan led the Prayers of the Faithful.
Chairperson & CEO Marivic Espao, Audit & Assurance Partner Mai Bisnar, and Tax Advisory & Compliance Partners Vier Aznar and Wowie
Roguel participated in the offertory. Audit & Assurance Manager Franz Pulido also took the role of Sacristan during the thanksgiving mass.

Glimpses 8

Employee Activities

P&A takes kids to the countryside in

Kiddie Christmas

ver fifty little P&Aers came in

their cutest farm animal costumes
for the Kiddie Christmas last 17
December 2014 at the KFC Ayala
branch.

The 2014 Kiddie Christmas carried the theme

Old MacDonalds Farm. The venue was
decorated with animal prints which temporarily
took the little guests to the countryside.
They were also entertained by a group of
puppeteers which showed three (3) different
kiddie stories. A face painting booth was also
set-up wherein the kids queued to get their face
painted with their favorite cartoon characters

and animals. And of course, the kids were all up office and filled their loot bags with candies and
for some parlor games.
trinkets from the partners and staff members.
Those who had a sweet tooth got stuck at the
candy buffet as they were greeted by a bountiful
amount of candies and chocolates. After all the
fun and games, the kids settled down for a
chicken treat from KFC.
Sophia Pigao, daughter of P&AGT Senior
Manager Aris Pigao won Best in Costume for
Girls. On the other hand, Enzo Jacobo, son of
Finance & Accounting Outsourcing Senior
Specialist II Tina Jacobo, was named Best in
Costume for Boys.
The little guests also went to the P&A Makati

Glimpses 9

Employee Activities

P&A takes kids to the countryside in

Kiddie Christmas

Glimpses 10

Employee Activities

P&Aers celebrate a frosty Christmas

Party

ho said we cant have a White

Christmas? Staff members
wore their warmest winter
outfit in this years Christmas
Party which was held on 19 December 2014 at
The Blue Leaf Filipinas Macapagal.

hosts, stand-up comedian Bonito also brought

laughter to the crowd as he made funny antics
and impersonated various artists and celebrities.

were also named Best Dressed Female and Male

respectively.

Finance & Accounting Outsourcing Manager

Shiela Tamayo and Advisory Services Lead
Consultants Irish Ching and Chester Pacio
hosted the party. Aside from the three (3) P&A

Best Group Performance for their creative and

thrilling medley of the 80s and 90s music.

Dinio and Renan Piamonte.

Also, newly hired 2014 topnotchers were

Of course, as expected every year, staff members recognized and were presented with the
awaited the P&A Christmas video which was
Topnotchers Award.
edited by Audit & Assurance Junior Klein
The special feature of the evening was the
The stage was decorated with a snowcapped
Cahucom. At the end of the video, the cabin
presentation of the Founders Award for
cabin house and the tables were adorned with
door opened and revealed Santa Claus together Excellence to the team who has shown service
cozy and homey emblems which completed the with Chairperson & CEO Marivic Espao and excellence and outstanding teamwork. The 2014
traditional holiday feel. During dinner, P&Aers Managing Partner & COO Jun Cuaresma.
Founders Award was presented to the
were serenaded by the Alay Sa May Kapansanan
P&Aers also took their performance to another Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., &
Association, Inc. (AKAI). The attendees also
level in Music Icons 2014, where they relived SubsidiariesCode Name: Project Thriller
feasted on the buffet prepared by Red Chef &
the music of their favorite artists throughout the (Special AuditInitial Public Offering), which
Events.
decades. The Audit & Assurance Division won was led by Audit & Assurance Partners Nelson

Tax Advisory & Compliance Junior Kei Paceo

and Audit & Assurance Senior Romeo Mallari

After the program, the party got even more

hyped when Zynczation took over the stage and
sang popular dance songs.

Glimpses 11

Employee Activities

P&Aers celebrate a frosty Christmas

Party

Glimpses 12

Employee Activities

P&A branches embrace the holiday

season
P&A Cebu Christmas Party
Cebu City Sports Club
22 December 2014

t was a night of rock and roll for P&Aers

from the Cebu branch. They strutted
their rocking style as they celebrated the
holidays last 22 December 2014 at Cebu
City Sports Club.

advertisement spoofs, a string of parlor games,

and special presentations.

And what is a party without some competition?

P&A Cebu also had their Christmas party
contest entitled, Rockstars of the Night. After
Same as any other celebrations, the party kicked all the games and presentations, staff members
off with a lavish dinner. It was followed by
from Cebu branch exchanged gifts with their

manitos and manitas.

Partner-in-Charge for Audit Training and
Branches Chris Ferareza also joined in the
celebration.

Glimpses 13

Employee Activities

P&A branches embrace the holiday

season
P&A Davao Christmas Party
North Garden Suites, Davao City
19 December 2014

imultaneous to P&A Makati, staff

members from the P&A Davao branch
also had their Christmas Party at the
North Garden Suites on 19 December
2014.

P&A Davaos holiday party theme was dubbed,

Dress to Impress: Western Style. They all

gathered together for a scrumptious dinner

P&Aers exchanged gifts with one another just
before proceeding to their Christmas program.
before they wrapped up their celebration.
New hired Audit Juniors also prepared an
intermission number, which they presented right
after their dinner. It was followed by a series of
games.
Christmas is the season for giving, thus, the

Glimpses 14

Golden Harvests

Golden Harvests
Three topnotchers from the October 2014 Licensure
Examination join P&A

P&A welcomed three new topnotchers to its talent pool last November 2014. Janelle Quezada of De La Salle
UniversityDasmarias (10th), Gerald Mart Gatinga of Palawan State University (6th), and Reynald Tomas of Cagayan
State University (2nd) are now Juniors in the Audit & Assurance Division.

Glimpses 15

Golden Harvests

Golden Harvests
P&A welcomes two batches of new hires

P&A welcomed over 150 new hires last November 2014. The new hires were divided into two batches for
the New Staff Orientation which were conducted from November 10 to 15 and November 17 to 22, 2014
respectively, at the Calatagan Function Room.
Aside from the regular introduction of the different Firm divisions, rules and regulations, and benefits, the
new hires also got to experience the newly enhanced orientation which includes an enneagram test, elearning (pre-orientation assignment), and their batch video which was shown during their graduation and
at the P&A Christmas party.

Glimpses 16

Founders Award

Founders Award 2014

Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. & SubsidiariesCode
Name: Project Thriller (Special AuditInitial Public Offering)
Audit & Assurance Division named 2014 Founders Award recipient

Congratulations to the Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., & SubsidiariesCode Name: Project Thriller
(Special AuditInitial Public Offering) for being named as this years Founders Award recipient. The engagement
team is composed of Engagement Partners Nelson Dinio and Renan Piamonte, Engagement Manager Endel Mata,
Audit & Assurance Seniors Yusoph Maute and Anthony Waje, and Semi-Seniors Jap Perez, Pamae Pineda, and
Nico Unera.

Glimpses 17

English Corner

The English Corner

Bookworms Table: Wreck This Journal
This is not your ordinary journal. Wreck This Journal is an illustrated
book that features a subversive collection of prompts, asking its readers to
muster up their best mistake and mess-making abilities to fill the pages of
the book. To those who have always wanted to color outside the lines but
were afraid to do it; to those who have always found it hard to start, keep,
and finish a journal or sketchbook, this book is the right instrument for
you!
Introduced in 2012, Wreck This Journal was created by acclaimed
Canadian conceptual artist and author Keri Smith. This book encourages
readers and journal lovers to explore their creativity and imagination
through a series of quirkily illustrated pages. Wreck This Journal also
comes in five different editions: Red Mesh, Duct Tape, Paper Bag,
Everywhere and To Create is to Destroy.
With Smiths unique sensibility, readers are introduced to a new way of art
and journal making, discovering novel ways to escape their fear of the
blank page, and fully engage in the creative process.
Do you know any good book to read? Send us the title, author, and your
comments at pcg.helpdesk@ph.gt.com and recommend it to other
P&Aers!

Word Central: Gadabout

Gadabout
[gad-uh-bout]
noun

a person who moves about restlessly or aimlessly,

especially from one social activity to another.

a person who travels often or to many different places,

especially for pleasure.

Origin:

1837, from earlier noun phrase gadder about (1560s).

Gadabout is formed from the verb gad, to rove or go

about without purpose or restlessly (from Middle English
gadden, to hurry) + about.

i.e.,
She was a thoughtful gadabout, always picking up souvenirs
for her friends from wherever her travels took her.

Glimpses 18

In the Pipeline

Watch out for these upcoming activities

P&A 27th Anniversary

February 15, 2015

(to be celebrated on February 13, 2015)

Vaccination Program

March 27 & 28, 2015

P&A Makati office

The People and Culture Group (PCG) welcomes your comments

at pcg.bulletins@ph.gt.com.

Glimpses 19