Stories of inspiration

Guided by Service, Grounded in Hope: The Story of Captain Cesar Rellos, Jr.

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.

Related stories:

PSFI, Shell, and Batangas City Mark Turnover of Wildlife Learning Hub and Gift Café

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with Shell Pilipinas Corporation and the City Government of Batangas, formally marked the ceremonial turnover of the Wildlife Learning Hub and Gift Café at the EBD Eco-Park and Wildlife Rescue Center. The initiative aims to promote environmental conservation, wildlife awareness, sustainable tourism, and community-based livelihoods through a shared space for education, advocacy, and locally made Batangas products.

Hope Takes Root Through New Livelihood Opportunities in Bamban and Mabalacat

Families in Bamban, Tarlac and Mabalacat, Pampanga are embracing new opportunities through the Roots to Shoots (RTS) initiative, where 100 caregivers and farmers received starter goats as part of a sustainable livelihood program. Supported by Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. and Thaison Builder & Developer Inc., the initiative aims to strengthen food security, improve household income, and help communities build a more hopeful and stable future.

Shell LiveWIRE Strengthens Fisherfolk Safety and Coastal Resilience in Cagayan de Oro

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with Shell Pilipinas Corporation, strengthened fisherfolk safety and coastal resilience in Cagayan de Oro through the turnover of protective and rescue equipment under the Shell LiveWIRE Philippines program. The initiative supports local fisherfolk organizations by enhancing emergency preparedness, improving safety during fishing operations, and helping sustain coastal livelihoods through community-centered development.

A Mother’s Determination: Building Hope Through Roots to Shoots

hrough the Roots to Shoots Program in Sacobia, Editha Salazar transformed a small livelihood assistance package into a growing sari-sari store that now helps support her family, her children’s education, and her child’s ongoing therapy, proving how opportunity and determination can create lasting change.

Shell LiveWIRE Empowers Cagayan de Oro Fisherfolk Through Sustainable Payao Deployment in Macajalar Bay

Shell LiveWIRE, through Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Shell Pilipinas Corporation
, strengthens sustainable livelihoods in Cagayan de Oro City through the successful deployment of three payaos in Macajalar Bay, empowering local fisherfolk with safer and more sustainable fishing opportunities through community collaboration, capacity building, and responsible fisheries management.

Roots to Shoots: Pasacao 2.0 Helps Mothers Build Sustainable Livelihoods

Through the Roots to Shoots (RTS) Pasacao 2.0 Program and with the support of Metrobank Foundation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) officially opened the SONATA stitching and sewing production facility in Pasacao, Camarines Sur. The initiative aims to empower mothers and families by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities, technical skills training, and long-term enterprise development support for the community.