In 1983, Mario Dimaano was a young college student from Batangas struggling to keep up with daily school expenses. He was in his second semester taking Technical Drafting at Western Philippine College, now the University of Batangas. His family’s income from selling vegetables from their farm barely covered his needs. To make ends meet, he sometimes worked as a jeepney conductor.
“Problema ko noon ang mga gastusin sa pamasahe at mga kagamitan sa school,” Mario recalled. “Kung hindi makapagbenta ng gulayin na nakukuha ng aking ama sa bukid, o paminsan-minsan sa pagkukunduktor ko na rin sa jeep, kulang na kulang para masuportahan ang aking pangangailangan.”
One day, while passing by the barangay outpost, Mario noticed a poster from Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) announcing a scholarship program for over 400 students nationwide. The SKIL (Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal) Scholarship offered free education and financial support.
“Nagsimula ang lahat nang makita ko ang isang poster ng Pilipinas Shell Foundation tungkol sa libre na pagpapaaral,” he shared. “Hindi ko alam kung saan ako makakakuha ng application form, pero sa hindi inaasahan, ang tiyuhin ko pala ay meron at ibinigay niya sa akin.”
Mario took the examination, passed, and later learned from a friend that his name had been published in the newspaper. He chose to study Basic Machine Shop at the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) Batangas, now TESDA. This course, now part of TESDA’s Machining NC II program, introduced him to the fundamentals of operating lathes, milling machines, grinders, and other shop tools.
“Hindi ko na iniisip ang pamasahe at mga kagamitan habang nag-aaral kasi may financial support galing sa PSFI at Shell.” he said, describing the relief the scholarship brought him
After graduation, life was not easy. He spent days in Manila searching for work, even celebrating two birthdays on the streets. He would often visit PSFI’s office to ask if there were job openings.
“Minsan din ako nawalan ng pag-asa,” he admitted. “Tanggap na ako noon sa isang kilalang brewery company, may company ID na ako, pero nagkaroon ng political crisis noong Pebrero 1986, kaya di na ako tinawagan.”
“Dahil sa SKIL, hindi naranasan ng mga anak ko ang hirap na pinagdaanan ko,” Mario said proudly.
That same year, he found work at a major airline company, which opened the door to more opportunities. By 1994, he became an overseas Filipino worker in middle East and Singapore and move to Dubai on 2006 where he now lives with his wife and four sons.
Now, four decades after PSFI opened doors for him, Mario’s story stands as a testament to how education and opportunity can transform lives. From a simple poster in his barangay to building a stable life for his family abroad, his journey reflects PSFI’s mission over the past 43 years to empower individuals and help them create better futures for themselves and their communities.
Mario’s advice to today’s SKIL scholars:
“Mag-aral nang mabuti at tulungan din ang sarili kung paano matutupad ang pangarap. Dalhin ang kaalaman at ipagmalaki ito sa hinaharap.”
