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.

To strengthen community resilience in times of crisis, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. trained 73 volunteers from TALIM communities in Batangas through its Response to Community Under Emergency (RESCUE) Program. The Basic Life Support and First Aid Training equipped participants with practical life-saving skills such as bandaging, splinting, and rescue transfer methods. Since 2001, the RESCUE Program has empowered over 9,600 individuals in Batangas to serve as local first responders, reinforcing PSFI’s mission of sama-samang pagtulong, sabay-sabay na pagsulong toward safer, more prepared communities.

Bacolod Social Development Program Marks Milestone in Skills, Enterprise, and Community Empowerment

The Bacolod City Social Development Program, in partnership with Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), celebrated its 2025 Culmination Day, honoring the achievements of SKIL scholars, Shell LiveWIRE entrepreneurs, and local partners who continue to drive community empowerment. The event highlighted shared milestones in skills development, enterprise growth, and fire safety training—reinforcing Shell and PSFI’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities across Bacolod.

Full Circle of Empowerment: From Shell Employee to Community Creator

From cashier to creator, Mary Jane “MJ” Cueto built Artita.DIY from a simple love for personalized keepsakes into a community-minded printing business. Guided by lessons from her years with Shell and training from PSFI’s Shell LiveWIRE, MJ now turns creativity into livelihood while sharing skills with others. Her story shows how empowerment grows when learning is passed on and opportunities are created close to home.

Calapan Community Celebrates Growth and Resilience with PSFI’s Culmination Day

With the support of Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) marked its 2025 Culmination Day in Calapan City, celebrating local enterprises, advocates, and partners driving community empowerment. The event showcased inspiring stories of entrepreneurship through Shell LiveWIRE, road and community safety through BiyaHero and RESCUE, and sustainability through mangrove planting and coastal cleanup activities.

From livelihood grants to volunteer-led initiatives, the celebration embodied PSFI’s mission of sama-samang pagtulong, sabay-sabay na pagsulong—a reminder that progress takes root when communities, partners, and advocates move forward together.

Building Roots, Not Just Roads: PSFI and TBDI Forge Partnership for Aeta Community in Sacobia

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Thaison Builder and Developer Inc. (TBDI) have partnered to uplift Aeta communities in Sacobia through the Roots to Shoots Light: Community Nutrition and Resilience Project. The initiative strengthens nutrition, food security, clean water and energy access, and sustainable livelihoods in Bamban, Tarlac, and Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

With TBDI’s ₱3-million support, PSFI is building not just infrastructure but lasting roots of resilience through feeding programs, solar home kits, agricultural training, and community-based food hubs.

Jomel’s Journey to Heal and Serve through the Medical Scholarship Program

A first-generation college graduate from Davao City, Jomel Marteja’s dream of becoming a doctor began with curiosity and grew into a calling to heal. Now a Medical Scholarship Program (MSP) scholar at Davao Medical School Foundation, he is determined to bring healthcare closer to his community and inspire others to pursue their own dreams with hope and perseverance.