Stories of inspiration

Igniting Purpose: LEAD Workshop Empowers Future Healthcare Leaders in Davao

September 15, 2025

From August 13 to 15, 2025, the Home Crest Hotel in Davao City became a hub of inspiration and learning as scholars from the Medical Scholarship Program (MSP) of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI) came together for the Leadership Enhancement and Attitude Development (LEAD) Workshop.

Over the course of three days, 7 medical students, 21 nursing students, and 8 nursing graduates from the Davao Medical School Foundation immersed themselves in activities designed to strengthen not only their knowledge and skills, but also their character and commitment to service. The workshop focused on developing interpersonal skills, teamwork, and values that will prepare them for the real challenges of healthcare work.

Investing in the Future of Healthcare

The Philippines continues to face pressing challenges in its healthcare system. Recognizing this, PSFI and BCFI are committed to supporting future healthcare professionals beyond financial assistance. Through initiatives like the LEAD Workshop, the two foundations aim to nurture well-rounded medical and nursing scholars who are not only academically capable but also compassionate, resilient, and community-centered.

As PSFI and BCFI believe, scholarships are more than tuition support. They are investments in the kind of leaders who will one day stand at the frontlines of hospitals, clinics, and communities. The LEAD Workshop exemplifies this vision, ensuring scholars are equipped with both technical competence and the heart to serve.

Highlights of the Workshop

The program was filled with activities that challenged and inspired the scholars to look within and work together.

Team-building exercises encouraged collaboration, trust, and unity, helping participants understand the power of collective effort in addressing community health needs.
Reflection sessions gave scholars the space to share their personal journeys, dreams, and even their struggles. They opened up about what they love and dislike about themselves, discovering how to embrace their full selves as future leaders in healthcare.

These activities allowed the scholars to recognize that true leadership begins with self-awareness, empathy, and the courage to grow.

Scholar Spotlight: A Dream Ignited

For Jomel Amandoron Marteja, one of the medical scholars, the workshop became a turning point. Since childhood, Jomel promised his younger self that he would one day become a doctor. With the support of PSFI and BCFI, this dream is now within reach. He will soon be the first doctor in his family.

But more than achieving a personal milestone, the LEAD Workshop ignited his drive to serve the country. By reflecting on his journey and embracing both his strengths and weaknesses, the workshop deepened Jomel’s commitment to turn his profession into a calling, one that uplifts and heals underserved communities.

“This journey is not just for me. It is for my family, my community, and for all the Filipinos who need healthcare the most.” Jomel shared.

Celebrating Milestones, Sustaining Support

This year also marks a meaningful milestone. 8 nursing scholars from Davao have successfully graduated. Yet, the journey does not end there. PSFI and BCFI remain steadfast in supporting them until they pass the board examinations, reinforcing the belief that true success lies not only in finishing school but in becoming licensed professionals ready to uplift lives.

Building Leaders for Tomorrow

Through programs like MSP and the LEAD Workshop, PSFI and BCFI reaffirm their shared mission of transforming lives and strengthening communities. By empowering these young scholars today, they are shaping the future of healthcare in the Philippines, one where skill meets compassion, and leadership is grounded in service.

For the scholars, the three days in Davao were more than just a workshop. They were a reminder that they are part of something bigger: a growing movement of future doctors and nurses determined to heal, serve, and inspire.

Hundreds of volunteers gathered at the Puerto Princesa Baywalk for the 40th International Coastal Cleanup, joining hands to protect the sea that sustains their community. Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) and local partners, helped remove litter and restore the bay’s natural balance through collective action and symbolic “MudBall” drops. The cleanup highlighted how unity, care, and shared responsibility can turn small acts into waves of change for a cleaner, more resilient Puerto Princesa.

Standing as a Good Neighbor: PSFI and Shell Pilipinas Corporation Bring Relief to Families in Pasacao

When Severe Tropical Storm Opong struck Bicol, families in Pasacao, Camarines Sur sought refuge from uncertainty. Standing true to its mission of being a good neighbor, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) joined hands with local partners to deliver essential relief packs and comfort to affected families. Guided by compassion and the spirit of bayanihan, PSFI showed that hope thrives when communities come together in kindness and solidarity.

A Decade of Service: Edong’s Journey with PSFI in Palawan

For nearly a decade, Edong served as a dedicated Program Officer with PSFI in Palawan, working hand in hand with communities through programs that uplift livelihoods and protect the environment. From supporting indigenous peoples to planting mangroves along the coasts of Puerto Princesa and El Nido, his journey reflects resilience, humility, and hope. As he steps away to focus on healing and new dreams, Edong leaves behind a living legacy etched in the people and places he helped transform.

BiyaHERO Program: Road Safety for Community Empowers Batangas Volunteers

The BiyaHERO Program: Road Safety for Community is empowering Batangas volunteers to become champions of safer roads. Through training sessions led by the Batangas City TDRO and supported by PSFI, parents, educators, and local leaders gained knowledge on traffic laws, road safety practices, and community-based solutions. With new mentors ready to cascade learnings across TALIM barangays, BiyaHERO strengthens the call that road safety is a shared responsibility and a collective journey toward protecting lives.

Planting for the Future: 3rd Mangrove Planting Held in Barangay Bagong Silang

The coastline of Barangay Bagong Silang in Palawan came alive as Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with partners and nearly 200 participants, planted 200 Pagatpat mangroves in its 3rd Mangrove Planting Activity. With the theme “Bakawan ay ating Palaguin, Kaagapay ito ng Buhay Natin,” the event highlighted the vital role of mangroves in protecting marine life, sustaining fisherfolk livelihoods, and strengthening communities against climate change.

How Razzel Nailed Her Studies and Dreams with the STEP Scholarship

When the pandemic threatened her studies, STEP scholar Razzel Mores created a path forward. She learned nail artistry, started serving classmates and friends, and grew Nailed It by Raz using savings and debut gifts. The business helped pay tuition and household bills. PSFI’s STEP scholarship, the LEAD workshop, and OJT at Shell Import Facility Tabangao deepened her skills and character. Fresh from graduation, Razzel is determined to find stable work while expanding her enterprise and saving for a future nail studio that will inspire others.