Stories of inspiration
A Heart to Heart with Raven Aguan on PSFI PROTECTS
May 5, 2022
In facing relevant societal issues, it is important to have people who are compassionate and actively engaged, those who have the capacity to understand the struggles another individual may be experiencing and the willingness to lend a helping hand. This is especially important for sensitive health matters such as providing care and assistance for people with HIV and AIDS.
Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) PROTECTS aims to tackle the subject with equal parts tenacity and compassion. It is focused on fighting the disease and the stigma surrounding it by actively engaging communities, encouraging testing, and educating the public about important facts.
Raven Aguan, 28, is one of the many dedicated individuals who works tirelessly to promote the program’s message. She is currently working with PSFI PROTECTS through its partner organization, Love Yourself PH, and is situated in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte.
Before taking the path toward helping LGBTQ+ individuals, she was employed as an online teacher and a call center agent, until she experienced the loss of a loved one due to AIDS. This tragic event affected Raven deeply, causing her to suffer from depression and anxiety. However, upon contemplating her purpose in life and reflecting on the loss of her best friend, she decided to take action and pursue a life in service to those affected by HIV and AIDS. Her commitment and passion are evident in her sentiments when asked about the work that she does, “This is not just a job, this is something that is meaningful to me.”
From this point on, Raven joined different activities related to the movement in advocating for HIV and AIDS awareness. In 2018, she pursued this passion and won the crown at the World AIDS Day pageant, becoming an ambassadress in providing information about the disease and educating people about the importance of getting tested. Thereafter, she continued advocating for this cause by working full time at Love Yourself PH.
Raven wanted to use her voice to inspire people around her, educating countless people regardless of their sexual orientation. With the opportunities presented to her, she used these as a platform to extend knowledge and awareness to those in her community, working hard to shred the misconceptions surrounding HIV and AIDS.
Due to her work, Raven encounters numerous people a day, with whom she resonates deeply. Just recently she had encountered a transwoman who tested positive, and whose symptoms were very critical.
“It’s a struggle to see people suffering like this due to late testing. To challenge this, I really believe in early testing as much as possible so we can tackle the issue early on. Testing is not where it ends. We help with medication, aftercare, and emotional support.”
As part of the program, PSFI PROTECTS provides support to organizations in different yet meaningful ways. One of these is by providing resources, financial support, and access to its staff whenever necessary. These add provisions for Raven to continue helping people that are in need of further assistance.
“This program is helping towards slowly answering the needs of the communities, especially in testing and linking to care. Previously, if you test positive for HIV in private hospitals, no medication or aftercare was provided. The program now helps to bridge the gap between testing and care.”
Raven’s experiences and passion for the cause, allowed her to become a solid voice and advocate for persons with HIV and AIDS. She shared that she always looks forward to showing up to her job every day, having a sense of fulfillment in the work that she does.
“This job also inspires me to do better and help more people. It’s not just work; this is about life and trying to save more lives. Meeting people who are thankful for the help we are providing really drives me to do more.”
Furthermore, she shared, “In every struggle, there is always hope. Before, HIV and AIDS were a death sentence to people in the LGBTQ+ community. Now, we are giving them a message that it is no longer a death sentence—there are people willing to help and support those in need.
If you or a person you know are experiencing symptoms of HIV/AIDS or is interested in getting tested, this is your sign to take action. You may do so by going to Love Yourself PH’s website at https://loveyourself.ph/set-appointments/ and booking an appointment for testing, along with other services catered to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals.
PSFI PROTECTS works with different communities to effectively raise awareness for HIV and AIDS, and to spread the message that it’s nothing to be ashamed or scared of. With passionate and dedicated people like Raven working to undo a culture of shame and discrimination, there is hope that one day, no new deaths nor infections will occur.
While the first case of HIV was recorded in 1959, society has since come a long way in addressing and treating the disease, but there is still more work to be done.
PSFI PROTECTS is among the historic projects from over 40 years of empowering Filipinos that captures the organization’s inclusive understanding of progress: empowering all lives in the country, regardless of gender or status.
Related stories:
Empowering First Responders: PSFI’s RESCUE Program Trains 73 Batangas Volunteers in Life-Saving Skills
To strengthen community resilience in times of crisis, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. trained 73 volunteers from TALIM communities in Batangas through its Response to Community Under Emergency (RESCUE) Program. The Basic Life Support and First Aid Training equipped participants with practical life-saving skills such as bandaging, splinting, and rescue transfer methods. Since 2001, the RESCUE Program has empowered over 9,600 individuals in Batangas to serve as local first responders, reinforcing PSFI’s mission of sama-samang pagtulong, sabay-sabay na pagsulong toward safer, more prepared communities.
Bacolod Social Development Program Marks Milestone in Skills, Enterprise, and Community Empowerment
The Bacolod City Social Development Program, in partnership with Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), celebrated its 2025 Culmination Day, honoring the achievements of SKIL scholars, Shell LiveWIRE entrepreneurs, and local partners who continue to drive community empowerment. The event highlighted shared milestones in skills development, enterprise growth, and fire safety training—reinforcing Shell and PSFI’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities across Bacolod.
Full Circle of Empowerment: From Shell Employee to Community Creator
From cashier to creator, Mary Jane “MJ” Cueto built Artita.DIY from a simple love for personalized keepsakes into a community-minded printing business. Guided by lessons from her years with Shell and training from PSFI’s Shell LiveWIRE, MJ now turns creativity into livelihood while sharing skills with others. Her story shows how empowerment grows when learning is passed on and opportunities are created close to home.
Calapan Community Celebrates Growth and Resilience with PSFI’s Culmination Day
With the support of Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) marked its 2025 Culmination Day in Calapan City, celebrating local enterprises, advocates, and partners driving community empowerment. The event showcased inspiring stories of entrepreneurship through Shell LiveWIRE, road and community safety through BiyaHero and RESCUE, and sustainability through mangrove planting and coastal cleanup activities.
From livelihood grants to volunteer-led initiatives, the celebration embodied PSFI’s mission of sama-samang pagtulong, sabay-sabay na pagsulong—a reminder that progress takes root when communities, partners, and advocates move forward together.
Building Roots, Not Just Roads: PSFI and TBDI Forge Partnership for Aeta Community in Sacobia
Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Thaison Builder and Developer Inc. (TBDI) have partnered to uplift Aeta communities in Sacobia through the Roots to Shoots Light: Community Nutrition and Resilience Project. The initiative strengthens nutrition, food security, clean water and energy access, and sustainable livelihoods in Bamban, Tarlac, and Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
With TBDI’s ₱3-million support, PSFI is building not just infrastructure but lasting roots of resilience through feeding programs, solar home kits, agricultural training, and community-based food hubs.
Jomel’s Journey to Heal and Serve through the Medical Scholarship Program
A first-generation college graduate from Davao City, Jomel Marteja’s dream of becoming a doctor began with curiosity and grew into a calling to heal. Now a Medical Scholarship Program (MSP) scholar at Davao Medical School Foundation, he is determined to bring healthcare closer to his community and inspire others to pursue their own dreams with hope and perseverance.