A Shared Passion for Education: Ronald Po and Shell NXplorers

Stories of inspiration

A Shared Passion for Education:
Ronald Po and Shell NXplorers

Feb 24, 2022

Jose Rizal was right, ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.

The youth will always have the potential to change the course of the future—they can learn from the mistakes of the past and make solutions beyond society’s wildest dreams. In the early stages of their education, it is important to invest in their potential. But this is easier said than done.

Enter Shell NXplorers, an innovative educational program dedicated to empowering the youth. Through this program, STEM students are introduced to complex and creative thinking skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. This equips them with the right tools to address the world’s food, water, and energy problems—or Nexus problems—and become positive agents of change.

With such a promising objective, educators involved in the program have their hands full. Between guiding the students and teaching them a new perspective in problem solving, the tasks can become quite intimidating. And so, to truly inspire the next generation, passion must be added into the equation. A passion that burns for the youth, a passion for progress. A passion Ronald Po knows all too well.

Ronald is Shell’s Senior Continuous Improvement Portfolio Lead and has been with the company for 5 years now. When PSFI opened the opportunity for Shell employees to become facilitators and trainers for Shell NXplorers, Ronald immediately took his chance.

Before working in Shell, Ronald worked as a faculty member in UP Diliman for about 11 years. This background in education would eventually come in as an important asset to him as he used this as leverage to improve training and capability development within the company. According to him, teaching was his first love.

“First love never dies”, he said. This is the kind of undying passion that he puts out into the world that is reflected in his support to the Shell NXplorers program.

Despite issues with logistics due to the pandemic, Ronald, together with the PSFI team, have been dedicated in working on the program, optimizing it for students wherever they may be.

“Due to COVID, the program had to be adjusted and recalibrated in preparation of approaching the program with limitations.”

On top of Ronald’s concerns were the accessibility of the program, bandwidth issues, as well as the attention span of students. Anticipating the problems, Ronald and the team planned extensively, processing observations and notes before creating a solid plan of action. With this, Shell NXplorers continued even during the pandemic, inspiring yet another batch of future leaders.

Since facilitating Shell NXplorers workshops in 2019, Ronald has continued to work on and improve the program. As a matter of fact, his passion and dedication has caught the attention of awarding bodies. In January of this year, Ronald was merited with the Bronze Medal in the Excellence in Facilitation category of the 2021 NX Global Recognitions Awards.

Ever an educator through and through, he shared that his proudest achievement with Shell NXplorers is seeing the students grow their passion for STEM.

“(My proudest achievement is) when we found out our first batch of students went to different engineering and science schools after attending the program.” Ronald says.

Ronald sees Shell NXplorers more than just another educational initiative, but more of a way to help students realize their fullest potentials.

“We do it in a way that we allow them to think critically and unlock their skills. We just guide them.”

Ronald notes that the best part of being in the Shell NXplorers program is seeing students come up with the best idea. “We as facilitators are not there to teach them, but to light the path and guide them.” He says. “It’s unbelievable how creative they are, the way they think. Their passion translates to creativity. The capabilities of young people never cease to amaze me.”

For those who are hesitant to take the path that leads to Shell NXplorers, here is Ronald’s advice: “Go for it.”

Ronald believes that one does not need to be the biggest fan of STEM or to be an intellectual to participate. After all, there are different kinds of intelligence and different ways to see the world.

“Shell NXplorers is really a way of thinking. It challenges you to look at different aspects. It offers context, perspective, foresight, and analytical thinking. It’s for everyone.” Ronald continues.

Among the stories to be told in over 40 years of empowering communities, Ronald’s path in supporting Shell NXplorers is among those that are worth telling. PSFI shares this passion in STEM education with Ronald, a passion that has driven progress and will continue to do so in the years to come.

Related stories:

From Sea Waste to Showcase: Candy’s Journey of Creativity and Purpose

In the coastal community of Bagong Silang, Puerto Princesa, Candelaria “Candy” Germata found beauty in discarded plastics and turned them into purpose. Through her enterprise, Candy’s Eco-Friendly Recycled Plastic Bottles, she transforms marine litter into colorful pots and home décor that inspire sustainable living. With guidance from Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Shell Pilipinas Corporation through the Shell LiveWIRE Program, Candy gained the confidence and skills to grow her small business and prove that creativity and care for the environment can change lives.

Stronger Together: PSFI and Shell Pilipinas Corporation Celebrate Culmination Day Honoring Stories of Growth and Resilience in Palawan

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) celebrated the 2025 Culmination Day of the Palawan Social Development Program, highlighting inspiring stories of growth and resilience among local communities. The event honored the achievements of community enterprises under Shell LiveWIRE and strengthened disaster preparedness through the RESCUE Program, reflecting PSFI’s ongoing commitment to empower lives and build sustainable, resilient communities in Palawan.

Guided by Service, Grounded in Hope: The Story of Captain Cesar Rellos, Jr.

In Barangay 1, Bacolod City, Captain Cesar Rellos leads with compassion and purpose. Through his partnership with Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), his community has embraced programs that open doors to livelihood, education, and preparedness. From the SKIL training for out-of-school youth to the RESCUE program’s bucket brigade drills with the Bureau of Fire Protection, he continues to inspire collective action and bayanihan. PSFI celebrates leaders like Captain Cesar—partners in progress who help build stronger, more resilient, and more hopeful communities across the country.

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.