Stories of inspiration

Healing Hands, Stronger Together: REACHing San Isidro with Compassionate Care

In the heart of Barangay San Isidro, Batangas City, a quiet but powerful transformation continues to unfold. One patient, one consultation, one community at a time. On May 29, 2025, as part of its scheduled visits, the REACH initiative (REliable Access to Community Healthcare) once again brought vital medical services to the barangay. This reaffirmed PSFI’s commitment to accessible and compassionate healthcare for all.

What began in 2024 as a six-month pilot program has evolved into a continuing effort to provide care. The initiative, which started with a dedicated team of six doctors, has consistently served at least 30 patients per visit. It has reached underserved communities across Tabangao Aplaya, Tabangao Ambulong, San Isidro, and Malitam — collectively known as TALIM.

The team includes general practitioners Dr. Rosalyn A. Casao, Dr. Michiko S. Takemori, Dr. Bethany Joi L. Antonio-Gutierrez, Dr. Anne Michelle P. Medina, and the husband-and-wife duo Dr. Ronn Gabriel R. Carpio and Dr. Ashley Parto-Carpio. They are joined by Dr. Mariean Rocielle D. Gnilo-Gilera, an internist, and Dr. Rhodora Maranan-Mamorno, a pediatrician.

United under the leadership of Dr. Casao, this diverse team has brought compassionate care to these communities, serving a steady stream of patients with consistency and heart.

Dr. Ronn and Dra. Ash represent the spirit of REACH. Their partnership goes beyond the clinic and reflects the values of unity, empathy, and service. Their presence in San Isidro is more than clinical. It shows a deep commitment to the community and a shared mission to improve lives.

Beyond consultations, the REACH team also provides free medicines to patients. This ensures that treatment does not stop at diagnosis but continues with real, tangible support. This holistic approach to healthcare makes REACH not just a service, but a lifeline for many.

As we celebrate the first anniversary of REACH this July, PSFI honors not only the milestones but also the people who make them possible. This includes the doctors, volunteers, and community members who bring each visit to life, the patients who arrive with hope, and the partners who provide unwavering support.

With the steadfast support of Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) and the Shell Import Facility Tabangao (SHIFT), REACH continues to serve the communities of Batangas. This is where the initiative began and where its impact continues to grow.

REACH is more than a health program. It is a shared commitment built with and for communities, ensuring that no one is left behind. In places like San Isidro, this commitment lives in every neighbor who shows up, every hand that heals, and every life that is uplifted.

To Dr. Ronn, Dra. Ash, and the entire REACH team, thank you for showing us what it truly means to serve with heart.

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43 Years of Transforming Lives: Honoring Bravery in the Fight Against Malaria

In 1999, Palawan faced one of its deadliest threats: malaria. What began as the Kilusan Ligtas Malaria (KLM) program soon grew into the Movement Against Malaria (MAM)—a nationwide fight led by communities, health workers, and partners who embodied the spirit of maiseg, or bravery.

Today, with 60 provinces declared malaria-free, we celebrate not only the milestones but also the courage, compassion, and collaboration that continue to save lives.

43 Years of Transforming Lives: The PSFI Poster That Changed Mario’s Life

In 1983, Mario Dimaano was a young student from Batangas struggling to pay for school while working as a jeepney conductor. One day, he spotted a Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) poster about the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) Scholarship—an opportunity that changed his life.

Through SKIL, Mario studied at TESDA’s Basic Machine Shop program, gaining skills and hope for a brighter future. Despite challenges, he persevered with tibay—a Batangueño word for strength and resilience—and eventually built a stable life abroad for his family.

Today, his story reflects PSFI’s 43-year mission to empower communities, nurture resilience, and create opportunities for generations to come.

43 Years of Transforming Lives: Advancing Health for All

For 43 years, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) has lived its mission of safeguarding life. Rooted in the Chavacano word Vida, we continue to protect health, nurture resilience, and uplift communities nationwide.

Through programs like PBSR, PROTECTS, and PROTECTS UPSCALE, PSFI has expanded HIV services across the country—advancing human rights in Zamboanga, opening the first community HIV center in Palawan, and strengthening local responses in Batangas.

More than a program, PSFI’s HIV response is a lifeline that safeguards life, health, and hope.

Lighting the Way Forward: PSFI, PhilDev, and Shell Empower Future Leaders Through 5-Day Leadership Camp

From August 4 to 8, 2025, Shell, PhilDev, and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) hosted a five-day leadership camp in Manila for Shell-PhilDev scholars. The program blended mentoring, skills-building, and sessions on AI, diversity, and energy transition, preparing scholars to lead with purpose.

With guidance from Shell leaders and PhilDev mentors, scholars left the camp with knowledge, courage, and a stronger community—ready to shape a more sustainable future for the Philippines.

Empowering Filipino Start-Ups: Shell LiveWire 2025 Showcases Innovation and Partnership

Shell LiveWire 2025 gathered Filipino entrepreneurs, industry experts, and partners for a full-day Progress Review Session at The Finance Center in Taguig City. The event featured learning sessions on AI, B2B product design, and procurement opportunities, alongside showcases from five innovative start-ups: Pili AdheSeal, Agridom, Greentech Ecobooster PH, Nascent Technologies, and Verra Bella Enterprises.

The gathering highlighted Shell and PSFI’s commitment to strengthen local enterprises through mentorship, capacity building, and market linkages. It also celebrated Filipino resilience and ingenuity, with Roma recognized among Shell’s global Top Ten Innovators 2025.

The program continues with the Final Pitch Day on September 2 at the Echelon Philippines Conference, where the next wave of Filipino innovators will take the stage.

Honoring Dreams and Dedication: STEP and STLC Scholars Graduate in Batangas

Sixty-three scholars under PSFI’s STEP and STLC programs marched proudly at Batangas State University, marking a milestone of resilience, growth, and achievement. Supported by Shell Pilipinas Corporation and the Shell Import Facility Tabangao, these graduates not only gained access to education but also leadership training, mentorship, and life skills that prepare them for the future. Their stories reflect how PSFI’s four-decade commitment to education continues to transform lives, uplift communities, and build the nation’s next generation of leaders.