Story by John Laurence Teologo, Communications Officer
MAKATI CITY, Philippines – Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) showcased the power of community-driven enterprises and sustainable livelihoods during the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) Collab-a-Fair, held on October 1 and 2, 2026, at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.
Joining fellow foundations from across the country, PSFI highlighted two of its flagship programs, Shell LiveWIRE and Roots to Shoots, bringing stories of entrepreneurship, resilience, and community transformation closer to the public.
The two-day event provided a platform for foundations to showcase their initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and explore opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration toward inclusive and sustainable development.
At the PSFI booth, visitors explored a diverse range of products from six Shell LiveWIRE-supported community enterprises: Modern Ilongga, MUM Harvest Home, SARBO, LeonKing Organic Farmers Producers Cooperative, Silent Beads, and Project Payatas. Featured products included handicrafts, processed food items, plantable products, hygiene essentials, textiles, accessories, and fruit wine, alongside distinctive offerings such as dried guyabano products, banana chips, tablea, and tilapia ice cream.
Together, these enterprises demonstrated how local businesses can create economic opportunities while drawing on Indigenous knowledge, local resources, and sustainable practices. Their products offered visitors a closer look at the creativity and resourcefulness behind community-driven entrepreneurship.
For the first time, PSFI also introduced product sampling activities at the fair, allowing visitors to experience selected products firsthand. The interactive experience sparked interest and opened conversations with prospective partners, customers, and organizations looking to support or collaborate with community enterprises.
These exchanges included interest in plantable pencils from representatives of the hospitality sector, as well as inquiries from government agencies and organizations exploring potential partnerships.
Alongside the Shell LiveWIRE exhibit, PSFI showcased its Roots to Shoots program through a curated display featuring products from Indigenous Peoples communities in Sacobia, which spans Bamban, Tarlac, and Mabalacat, Pampanga. The display included handcrafted nito baskets, accessories, and fruit baskets containing fresh produce sourced from community beneficiaries.
While community members were not present during the event, PSFI’s Program Coordinator for Nutrition and Program Officer shared the stories behind the display, engaging visitors in conversations about the program’s work in promoting nutrition, strengthening livelihoods, and building resilience among partner communities.
The PSFI booth welcomed a steady flow of visitors, averaging around 200 per day. These interactions provided opportunities to introduce locally made products and discuss how community-based enterprises create both social and economic value.
Beyond product promotion, the Collab-a-Fair gave the featured enterprises a platform to share their stories, gain market exposure, and build connections that could lead to future partnerships and business opportunities. These exchanges underscored the importance of creating spaces where community enterprises and social development programs can connect with wider markets, organizations, and potential supporters.
As Shell LiveWIRE continues to support and strengthen community enterprises across the country, PSFI remains committed to helping local entrepreneurs access opportunities that can sustain and expand their businesses.
The event also highlighted the potential of the Roots to Shoots model as a community-based approach to improving nutrition and livelihoods among Indigenous Peoples communities. Organizations interested in learning from, adapting, or replicating the program in their own areas are welcome to connect with PSFI to explore opportunities for collaboration.
Through initiatives such as the LCF Collab-a-Fair, PSFI continues to connect community-led solutions with people and organizations that can support their growth, helping individuals and communities build more resilient and sustainable futures.
