Stories of inspiration

From Tricycle Driver to Automotive Servicing Scholar: Jackie’s Road to a Brighter Future

At 39, Jackie Buitizon of Malitam, Batangas City, wears many hats. She is a mother of three, a devoted wife, and a resilient woman with an unshakable drive to build a better future for her family.

Her husband, a fisherman who occasionally takes on construction work, does what he can to provide. But when the income falls short, Jackie doesn’t hesitate to step in. Whether it’s managing the household, taking on odd jobs, or driving a tricycle around the community, she does it all for her children.

“Naiisip ko po talaga ang mga anak ko kaya ginusto kong mag-apply sa scholarship,” Jackie shared. “Gusto ko sila mabigyan ng magandang buhay.”

When she heard about the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) program of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), Jackie saw a life-changing opportunity. SKIL was created to address widespread unemployment and the increasing demand for skilled workers by offering free technical-vocational training to out-of-school youth and unemployed individuals.

In Batangas, the program is implemented in partnership with TESDA Regional Training Center IV-A, with support from Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) and the Shell Import Facility Tabangao (SHIFT).

Jackie enrolled in Automotive Servicing NC I, a short-term course that equips learners with hands-on experience in vehicle maintenance and repair. Scholars are trained using real tools and engines, preparing them for employment in service centers, dealerships, and Shell stations. It also opens opportunities to launch their own small businesses.

In a class largely filled with men, Jackie stood tall. Her fascination with machines started long before she joined SKIL. Every time her tricycle broke down, she would watch the mechanics work, eager to learn and imagining the day she could do it herself.

Thanks to the SKIL scholarship, that day is now within reach.

“Wala pong imposible. Alam kong kaya ko rin gawin ang ginagawa ng mga lalaki,” she said with confidence.

Now, Jackie dreams of landing a stable job in the automotive field, one that will allow her to support her family more securely. She is grateful to PSFI, SPC, SHIFT, and TESDA for making the training accessible, inclusive, and free of charge.

And if another opportunity to learn arises, Jackie is more than ready.

“Hindi ako matatakot sumubok ulit kahit anong edad ko. Basta para sa kinabukasan ng mga anak ko, lalaban ako.”

Jackie’s journey is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to start over, to learn a new skill, and to fight for a brighter future not just for yourself but for the people you love.

 

Read related story: https://pilipinasshellfoundation.org/tuloy-ang-pagsulong-skil-scholars-ng-batangas/

Related stories:

Roots to Shoots SACOBIA: Growing Food, Growing Futures in Bamban

With support from Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI), Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) is helping communities in Bamban, Tarlac grow more than vegetables through the Roots to Shoots SACOBIA Program by cultivating food security, healthier lifestyles, and hands-on learning through school gardens.

PSFI and SPC Support Brigada Eskwela Through Bayanihan Bulilit in Pasacao

Through the Bayanihan Bulilit initiative, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC), and volunteers from the Shell Pasacao Terminal joined community partners to prepare Child Development Centers in Pasacao, Camarines Sur for the new school year. The collective effort provided learning materials, improved classroom facilities, and created better learning environments for 243 young learners.

Makulay Dahil Bahagi Ka: When Representation Opens Doors and Saves Lives

This Pride Month, PSFI celebrates Basha Cancillar, a community leader whose journey from a young volunteer to an HIV advocate is helping create safer, more inclusive spaces for people affected by and living with HIV. Through PROTECTS UPSCALE and partnerships with community organizations, Basha champions representation, dignity, and access to healthcare, proving that when people are seen, heard, and empowered, lives can be transformed.

More Than a Reunion: Celebrating Four Decades of the SKIL Legacy

More than four decades after receiving the opportunity to build their futures through the SKIL Program, alumni from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao came together to celebrate a legacy of transformation, achievement, and service. Their stories stand as a testament to the enduring power of education, skills development, and the belief that true success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we help others succeed.

Project PASA Strengthens Sustainability and Community Impact Through MOA Signing

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), Shell Business Operations Manila, and Shell Pilipinas Corporation formalized their partnership for Project PASA (Passing Along Sustainably used Assets), an initiative that gives used furniture, mobile devices, and equipment a second life. Through the partnership, pre-loved assets are redirected to underserved communities, advancing sustainability, circularity, and social impact by ensuring valuable resources continue creating opportunities where they are needed most.

Makulay Dahil Bahagi Ka: How Joan dela Cerna is Building a Future Rooted in Care

After years of working abroad to provide for her family, Joan dela Cerna returned home with a renewed determination to build a future closer to her children. Through the Medical Scholarship Program (MSP) supported by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI), she is pursuing her dream of becoming a caregiver while balancing her roles as a mother, student, and breadwinner. Her story is a reminder that when people are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute, they can create meaningful change for themselves, their families, and their communities.