Stories of inspiration

Igniting Purpose: LEAD Workshop Empowers Future Healthcare Leaders in Davao

September 15, 2025

From August 13 to 15, 2025, the Home Crest Hotel in Davao City became a hub of inspiration and learning as scholars from the Medical Scholarship Program (MSP) of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI) came together for the Leadership Enhancement and Attitude Development (LEAD) Workshop.

Over the course of three days, 7 medical students, 21 nursing students, and 8 nursing graduates from the Davao Medical School Foundation immersed themselves in activities designed to strengthen not only their knowledge and skills, but also their character and commitment to service. The workshop focused on developing interpersonal skills, teamwork, and values that will prepare them for the real challenges of healthcare work.

Investing in the Future of Healthcare

The Philippines continues to face pressing challenges in its healthcare system. Recognizing this, PSFI and BCFI are committed to supporting future healthcare professionals beyond financial assistance. Through initiatives like the LEAD Workshop, the two foundations aim to nurture well-rounded medical and nursing scholars who are not only academically capable but also compassionate, resilient, and community-centered.

As PSFI and BCFI believe, scholarships are more than tuition support. They are investments in the kind of leaders who will one day stand at the frontlines of hospitals, clinics, and communities. The LEAD Workshop exemplifies this vision, ensuring scholars are equipped with both technical competence and the heart to serve.

Highlights of the Workshop

The program was filled with activities that challenged and inspired the scholars to look within and work together.

Team-building exercises encouraged collaboration, trust, and unity, helping participants understand the power of collective effort in addressing community health needs.
Reflection sessions gave scholars the space to share their personal journeys, dreams, and even their struggles. They opened up about what they love and dislike about themselves, discovering how to embrace their full selves as future leaders in healthcare.

These activities allowed the scholars to recognize that true leadership begins with self-awareness, empathy, and the courage to grow.

Scholar Spotlight: A Dream Ignited

For Jomel Amandoron Marteja, one of the medical scholars, the workshop became a turning point. Since childhood, Jomel promised his younger self that he would one day become a doctor. With the support of PSFI and BCFI, this dream is now within reach. He will soon be the first doctor in his family.

But more than achieving a personal milestone, the LEAD Workshop ignited his drive to serve the country. By reflecting on his journey and embracing both his strengths and weaknesses, the workshop deepened Jomel’s commitment to turn his profession into a calling, one that uplifts and heals underserved communities.

“This journey is not just for me. It is for my family, my community, and for all the Filipinos who need healthcare the most.” Jomel shared.

Celebrating Milestones, Sustaining Support

This year also marks a meaningful milestone. 8 nursing scholars from Davao have successfully graduated. Yet, the journey does not end there. PSFI and BCFI remain steadfast in supporting them until they pass the board examinations, reinforcing the belief that true success lies not only in finishing school but in becoming licensed professionals ready to uplift lives.

Building Leaders for Tomorrow

Through programs like MSP and the LEAD Workshop, PSFI and BCFI reaffirm their shared mission of transforming lives and strengthening communities. By empowering these young scholars today, they are shaping the future of healthcare in the Philippines, one where skill meets compassion, and leadership is grounded in service.

For the scholars, the three days in Davao were more than just a workshop. They were a reminder that they are part of something bigger: a growing movement of future doctors and nurses determined to heal, serve, and inspire.

Through the Bayanihan Bulilit initiative, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC), and volunteers from the Shell Pasacao Terminal joined community partners to prepare Child Development Centers in Pasacao, Camarines Sur for the new school year. The collective effort provided learning materials, improved classroom facilities, and created better learning environments for 243 young learners.

Makulay Dahil Bahagi Ka: When Representation Opens Doors and Saves Lives

This Pride Month, PSFI celebrates Basha Cancillar, a community leader whose journey from a young volunteer to an HIV advocate is helping create safer, more inclusive spaces for people affected by and living with HIV. Through PROTECTS UPSCALE and partnerships with community organizations, Basha champions representation, dignity, and access to healthcare, proving that when people are seen, heard, and empowered, lives can be transformed.

More Than a Reunion: Celebrating Four Decades of the SKIL Legacy

More than four decades after receiving the opportunity to build their futures through the SKIL Program, alumni from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao came together to celebrate a legacy of transformation, achievement, and service. Their stories stand as a testament to the enduring power of education, skills development, and the belief that true success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we help others succeed.

Project PASA Strengthens Sustainability and Community Impact Through MOA Signing

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), Shell Business Operations Manila, and Shell Pilipinas Corporation formalized their partnership for Project PASA (Passing Along Sustainably used Assets), an initiative that gives used furniture, mobile devices, and equipment a second life. Through the partnership, pre-loved assets are redirected to underserved communities, advancing sustainability, circularity, and social impact by ensuring valuable resources continue creating opportunities where they are needed most.

Makulay Dahil Bahagi Ka: How Joan dela Cerna is Building a Future Rooted in Care

After years of working abroad to provide for her family, Joan dela Cerna returned home with a renewed determination to build a future closer to her children. Through the Medical Scholarship Program (MSP) supported by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI), she is pursuing her dream of becoming a caregiver while balancing her roles as a mother, student, and breadwinner. Her story is a reminder that when people are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute, they can create meaningful change for themselves, their families, and their communities.

RESCUE in Action: Building Fire-Ready and Resilient Communities in Macabalan

Under its RESCUE (Response to Communities Under Emergencies) program, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with Shell Pilipinas Corporation, conducted a two-day fire safety and emergency response training in Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City. In partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection and the local government unit, the initiative equipped community volunteers and residents with essential fire prevention and response skills, helping strengthen local preparedness and build more resilient communities.