Stories of inspiration

PSFI Honored as a ‘Champion of Change’ by DOST-TAPI for its STEM Education Initiatives

February 2, 2024

PSFI Honored as a 'Champion of Change' by DOST-TAPI for its STEM Education Initiatives

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), known for its dedication to advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, has been recognized as a ‘Champion of Change’ by the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) during the 37th Anniversary of DOST-TAPI, held at The Heritage Hotel on January 30, 2024.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., DOST Undersecretary Maridon Sahagun, and DOST-TAPI Director Marion Ivy Decena presented the prestigious award to PSFI, along with the 12 esteemed ‘Champions of Change’ chosen from their extensive network of partners nationwide. PSFI’s Program Manager for Education, Kath Valentin-Ringor, and Senior Program Officer for Education and Innovation, Crisille Villaluna, received the plaque for PSFI’s commitment to elevating the quality of STEM education and contribution to enterprise development through innovative initiatives such as Shell NXplorers and Shell LiveWIRE.

These programs have empowered young minds and contributed to cultivating a culture of scientific excellence in the Philippines. Since 2020, Shell LiveWIRE Philippines has supported almost 200 entrepreneurs creating more than 700 local jobs within the sectors of energy, environment and circular economy, and local prosperity. Meanwhile, Shell NXplorers has reached over 2,000 students and trained 300+ teachers nationwide since the program started in 2019 to cultivate STEM Habits of the Mind to address relevant community challenges on food, water, and energy.

As the social arm of Shell Companies in the Philippines, the Foundation has been a crucial instrument in partnering with DOST-TAPI to further youth capacity building, nurture bright ideas, support tech startups, and make technology accessible to underserved communities. Through DOST-TAPI’s mentoring programs including the promotion of Intellectual Property Rights, Shell NXplorers participants can be equipped with skills and mindset necessary to drive innovative idea generation. Moreover, the Institutes’ programs for inventors and startup founders present opportunities for Shell LiveWIRE cohorts to enhance their product and business development. The collaboration between PSFI and DOST-TAPI seeks to instill a passion for science among Filipino youth and entrepreneurs.

Shell LiveWIRE, the flagship enterprise development program of Shell, supports entrepreneurs and helps new business leaders grow. Similarly, NXplorers, Shell’s Global STEM Program, introduces young individuals to the complex and creative thinking needed for making meaningful change.

DOST-TAPI celebrated its 37th Anniversary with the theme: “Defying Boundaries, Celebrating Victories, and Sharing the Glory In Making History!,” which resonates with the achievements of PSFI and its fellow ‘Champions of Change’. We at PSFI extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners. Our collective efforts made this first milestone of 2024 possible. Just as the theme says, let us continue to push the boundaries of possibility and make more societal impacts on moving the Filipinos forward in the pages of history.

#PilipinasShellFoundation #FilipinoForward

Communities in Pasacao are growing more than just vegetables. Through the Roots to Shoots: Pasacao 2.0 program, families are strengthening child nutrition, building sustainable livelihoods, and learning how to produce food from their own backyards. In 2025, the program supported 50 children through nutrition rehabilitation, empowered 43 caregivers with livelihood opportunities, and trained 18 caregivers in home gardening, helping communities cultivate healthier futures and stronger resilience.

Planting Seeds for Food Security: 26 Grade 12 Learners Achieve 100% in Agricultural Crop Production NC II

Twenty-six Grade 12 learners from Sulpicio A. Roco Memorial High School achieved a 100% passing rate in the Agricultural Crop Production NC II assessment after completing 320 hours of classroom instruction and farm immersion at PSFI’s Shell Training Farm in Bombon through DepEd’s JDVP. Certified as Competent in core crop production and essential workplace and safety skills, the fourth batch of graduates is now better positioned for employment, entrepreneurship, or further studies in agriculture, supporting stronger youth participation in food security and sustainable farming.

Cultivating Future-Ready Problem Solvers: PSFI Celebrates the Impact of the Shell NXplorers Program (2019–2025)

From 2019 to 2025, the Shell NXplorers Program, implemented by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., equipped 2,716 students and 421 teachers across 101 schools with the skills to tackle complex real-world challenges. Through systems thinking, scenario planning, and sustainability-driven problem solving, young Filipinos strengthened their confidence, creativity, and collaboration. With 97 student-led projects generated through the Bright Ideas Challenge, NXplorers leaves behind a generation ready to shape solutions for food, water, and energy challenges.

A Promise Fulfilled: Arlene Yago’s Journey as a 2025 SKIL Scholar

At 28, Arlene Yago chose to return to school, carrying with her the words her father once told her: “Mag-aral ka para sa akin.” A young mother from Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Arlene became a 2025 scholar of the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) program in Electronics NC II, stepping into a field she never imagined for herself.

Shortly after her training began, she lost her father. Instead of stopping, she pressed on, honoring his dream through perseverance and hard work. Today, Arlene’s journey is more than a certification earned. It is a promise fulfilled and a future steadily being built for her family.

Shell LiveWire 2025: Growing Enterprises, Powering Possibilities

From 2020 to 2025, Shell LiveWire supported 157 Community Enterprises and 26 Tech Startups nationwide. In 2025 alone, the program reached 47 community enterprises, provided startup capital to 42 enterprises, and awarded equity-free grants to five tech startups across 10 sites nationwide.

Through structured training, mentorship, and partnerships with LGUs, national agencies, and innovation hubs, Shell LiveWire helps Filipino entrepreneurs strengthen livelihoods, create jobs, and develop solutions that enable communities to thrive.

Building Better Pathways, One Ecobrick at a Time

In Batangas City, discarded plastic was transformed into safer walkways for children through an Ecobrick Laying Activity led by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with Shell Business Operations and Shell Import Facility Tabangao. With 5,000 ecobricks turned over and 57 volunteers working side by side, school pathways at Tabangao Ambulong Elementary School and San Isidro Day Care Center were strengthened—creating cleaner, safer spaces for learning and play.

The initiative forms part of PSFI’s Community Activity Support (CAS) program, which has reached over 30,000 individuals nationwide since 2023 through education, health, and environmental efforts. Read how sustainability and partnership are building better pathways for communities.