In Barangay 1, Bacolod City, leadership is not just about governance. For Captain Cesar B. Rellos, Jr., 58, it is about serving with compassion and helping others find a better path in life.
Captain Cesar has been Barangay Captain since 2018, but his journey of service began much earlier. Back in 2002, when he served as barangay kagawad leading the education and social services committee, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) introduced the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) program to their community. He remembers vividly how it opened doors for out-of-school youth and residents who had long struggled to find livelihood opportunities.
“Malaking tulong itong program sa mga out-of-school youth ng aming barangay. May iba akong kilalang nagtratrabaho na sa mga hotel at may ibang nag-business na,” he shared with pride.
Through the years, Captain Cesar has seen how programs like SKIL create ripples of hope in the lives of many. They do not only equip people with skills but also restore their confidence and belief in what they can achieve.
Before becoming a barangay captain, Cesar worked as a weigher at the Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) Bacolod Terminal, where he witnessed firsthand how Shell’s values and programs could transform lives. The experience shaped his own perspective on service and strengthened his desire to help others rise.
“Ang kailangan ng komunidad ay hindi lang tulong, kundi opportunities. Kapag may opportunities, natututo silang tumayo sa sarili at magtiwala sa buhay. Masaya akong nakikita silang umaahon sa hirap,” he said with a smile.
As a leader and a father figure in his community, Captain Cesar continues to guide his people toward a more sustainable and hopeful future. His message to the youth remains simple yet powerful:
“Huwag sayangin ang edukasyon at tulungan ang pamilya at komunidad.”
Beyond livelihood and education, he believes that preparedness is just as vital for a resilient community. Through PSFI’s Response to Communities Under Emergencies (RESCUE) program with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), their barangay received crucial training in emergency response, including bucket brigade exercises. Because the narrow streets of their community make it difficult for fire trucks to enter, residents learned to rely on one another—passing buckets of water hand to hand, working together to stop the spread of fire.
“Dahil sa mga training, handa ang mga tao. Noong nagkaroon ng sunog, agad naming nakontrol kaya hindi na kumalat,” he recounted.
For Captain Cesar, these moments of bayanihan reflect the true strength of Barangay 1, a community that stands united, ready to face challenges together.
Today, he remains committed to supporting the scholars and entrepreneurs of Barangay 1, working closely with PSFI and SPC to bring more opportunities for growth and self-reliance.
PSFI celebrates community leaders like Captain Cesar Rellos, whose compassion and dedication make them true partners in progress. Through his leadership, Barangay 1 stands stronger, more prepared, and more hopeful. This shows that with the right opportunities and the spirit of bayanihan, communities can truly rise together.
