Stories of inspiration

Brewing Success: Gina Diaz and the KALIPI Poro Women

Gina Diaz helped establish the Brgy. Poro chapter of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) in San Fernando, La Union. Initially hesitant due to her existing role as president of the Barangay Health Workers Association, she eventually embraced the challenge and took the helm as KALIPI’s president. Presently, she guides their 26-member organization with dedication and commitment.
 
Eager to enact change in their community, KALIPI members worked diligently to launch their hand-crafted drip coffee enterprise. They were inspired by the delicious coffee they tasted in Baguio and decided to bring this experience to their community, using locally sourced beans for this first product.
 
In July 2023, Gina reached out to PSFI for insights into enterprise development. This partnership allowed KALIPI to engage in comprehensive training sessions covering coffee processing, financial literacy, and business planning through the Shell LiveWIRE program. PSFI also extended crucial support by providing capital, equipment, and materials to jumpstart their venture. Most importantly, the experience brought KALIPI members to become even more united in their commitment, investing both time and effort to further uplift their community.
 
Beyond the prospect of supplemental income, this endeavor offers them an invaluable opportunity to acquire new skills. While initially nervous, Gina now finds joy in crafting quality products and seeing others enjoy them. In February, they successfully launched 128 coffee drip units, securing their first loyal customer.
Gina is optimistic about KALIPI’s future. They are gaining momentum, seeing encouraging outcomes, and attracting customers who believe in their mission. She looks forward to refining their processes, such as enhancing facilities and optimizing task allocation. As KALIPI enters this new chapter, Gina looks forward to PSFI’s ongoing support as they expand.
 
Gina encourages fellow women to take inspiration from her journey and seize opportunities. 
 
“Kung mabibigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon, tulad sa amin sa Shell LiveWIRE, tapusin natin ang naumpisahan. Makakatulong ito sa atin, sa komunidad, at sa mga kababaihan.”
 

Related stories:

From Home Kitchen to City Hall: Maricris Senados’ Journey of Grit and Growth

From a home kitchen to a food stall at Tagbilaran City Hall, Maricris Senados’ journey reflects quiet determination and shared progress. Once a full-time housewife running a small sari-sari store and selling homemade snacks online, Maricris took a chance when an opportunity arose. Through PSFI’s Shell LiveWIRE program, with the support of Shell Pilipinas Corporation, she received assistance that allowed her to save on costs, reinvest in her business, and steadily grow her livelihood. At the same time, her son earned a technical scholarship under SKIL, enabling them to train and graduate together. Today, as her food stall often sells out by early afternoon, Maricris continues to build toward her dream of a permanent cooking space—showing how timely support, partnership, and perseverance can turn small beginnings into sustainable livelihoods.

PSFI and Shell Pilipinas Corporation Celebrate 2025 Tagbilaran Culmination Day, Honoring Community Enterprises and Local Partnerships

PSFI and Shell Pilipinas Corporation celebrated the 2025 Tagbilaran Culmination Day, marking key milestones of the Tagbilaran Social Development Program and the impact of strong local partnerships.

The event highlighted the completion of the 2025 Shell LiveWIRE Program by three community enterprises and recognized broader community initiatives, including school support, coastal cleanups, and disaster relief efforts. The gathering underscored a shared commitment to sustaining community progress in Tagbilaran.

In Memory of Cesar A. Buenaventura

Cesar A. Buenaventura shaped not only institutions, but the character and purpose of the people who worked with him. As the founding chairman of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., he was a principled leader who combined firmness with empathy, demanded excellence, and remained unwavering in doing what was right. In this personal reflection, PSFI Executive Director Sebastian C. Quiniones Jr. shares memories of CAB’s quiet but lasting influence, and the values that continue to guide the Foundation’s service to others.

BCFI and PSFI Celebrate 99 Caregiver Graduates, Opening Pathways to Employment and Transformation

BCFI and PSFI recently celebrated the graduation of 99 caregiver scholars under the MetamorphoCare 2025 program, held at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City. The ceremony highlighted powerful stories of second chances, from working mothers and sidewalk vendors to determined breadwinners who turned challenges into opportunities through education and skills training.

Through the Technical Vocational Caregiving Scholarship Program, part of a five–year partnership between BCFI and PSFI, scholars are equipped with NC II certification, career readiness, and direct access to employment opportunities through career talks and a linkages fair with hiring partners. Beyond certificates, the graduates carry renewed dignity, hope, and purpose as they step into their roles as caregivers, ready to uplift their families and serve communities with compassion.

Anchored by Love: The Story of Bong Fernan Tumanda

For years, former seafarer Bong Fernan Tumanda crossed oceans to provide for his family, spending more time at sea than at home. When the pandemic hit and his wife was pregnant, he chose to come home for good and start over through PSFI’s SKIL program in Electrical Installation and Maintenance. Today, Bong works close to his family, helps grow their small business, and treasures simple moments with his children, proving that with courage, faith, and the right support, a father’s love can chart a new course home.