A rousing cheer dancing routine, a signature drink concocted with Alaska milk, and a guest appearance by the ACES basketball team were just some of the surprises for the 2007 Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr. in a send-off cocktail reception hosted by SGV & Co. Chairman and Managing Partner David L. Balangue. The affair feted Mr. Uytengsu, President and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation, who represented the country in the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 Awards in Monte Carlo, Monaco last May 29. The cocktail reception was also held in honor of all the winners and finalists of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines in the past five years.

SGV & Co. is the Philippine member practice of Ernst & Young, the founder of Entrepreneur Of The Year awards. Balangue says, “The Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines program seeks to honor outstanding entrepreneurs, who, through their energy and passion, have been successful not only in their individual businesses – but on a greater scale – by helping bolster our economy, and providing employment opportunities to many Filipinos. Fred Uytengsu is no exception. It is our hope that his story will continue to inspire the entrepreneurs of today.”

The SGV Foundation, Inc. (SGVF) was set up in fulfillment of SGV's commitment to social development.

SGV's founder Washington SyCip has always seen a social dimension in the role of a professional firm in a developing country. Turning to the relationship between the firm and society, Wash SyCip had said, A professional firm and its people should actively participate in the community in which it practices; they should be socially conscious and should be involved in efforts to alleviate the conditions of disadvantaged groups.

Accepting this responsibility to society, SGV & Co. organized in 1966 the SGV Foundation, Inc. to work toward the fulfillment of national development goals. The incorporators consisted of Washington SyCip, Alfredo M. Velayo, Cesar E. A. Virata, Benjamin V. Abela, and Erlinda T. Villanueva. The Foundation is maintained primarily by contributions and endowments from the partners and principals of SGV & Co.

The SGV Foundation has also been receiving donations from various institutions. All funds contributed to the Foundation are fully tax-deductible. In considering possible ways of attaining national progress, the Foundation chose to maximize its contributions by promoting and encouraging the development of industrial and management sciences.

The Foundation has sought to realize its objective primarily in the field of education, whose role in the country's social and economic development is universally recognized.