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IIonggo Spirit of Progress Shines as PSFI and Shell Pilipinas Corporation Celebrate 2025 Program Achievements

January 19, 2026

Iloilo City | November 12, 2025
The Ilonggo spirit of progress took center stage as Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) gathered scholars, entrepreneurs, community partners, and local leaders for the 2025 Culmination Day at Go Hotels Iloilo.

The event celebrated a year of strengthened community development efforts, highlighting milestones across education, enterprise development, emergency response, and environmental stewardship in Iloilo and nearby areas.

SPC Terminal Operations Administrator Angelo Diago opened the program by underscoring the shared commitment of PSFI and SPC to community transformation. This was followed by a message of support from Iloilo City PESO Manager Gabriel Felix Umadhay, who recognized PSFI’s role in advancing skills training, livelihood generation, and sustained community engagement in Western Visayas.

Honoring SKIL Scholars and Their Achievements

One of the highlights of the day was the recognition of scholars under the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) Program. Program Officer Sherly Mae T. Sarabia presented the progress of scholars from Iloilo and Bacolod who completed the Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II course through the Technical Institute of Iloilo City.

Out of ten scholars, four have already passed the NC II Assessment. This milestone reflects both the scholars’ determination and the comprehensive support provided by PSFI through leadership development, life skills formation, and safety training.

Scholars received Certificates of Completion from the Technical Institute of Iloilo City and FDR First Safety System Training Services Corporation. Outstanding Scholar Awards were conferred on Dave Ron Falsis, Angelo Hosenilla, and Vincent Julius Lobaton. To further support their transition to employment, PSFI also awarded start-up toolkits to help graduates begin their technical and industrial careers.

Supporting Local Entrepreneurs through Shell LiveWIRE

PSFI also recognized the progress of community enterprises supported through the Shell LiveWIRE Program. Senior Program Officer Maria Elvy Dominicata shared how participating micro, small, and medium enterprises benefited from mentoring sessions, pitching activities, and business planning workshops aimed at strengthening sustainability and growth.

Three Iloilo-based enterprises received livelihood grants during the ceremony:

Iloilo Capiz Shell Flowers and Antiques
Meek Food Products Condiments Manufacturer
Producto de Iloilo

These grants are intended to support innovation, improve operational capacity, and help local enterprises build long-term economic resilience.

Advancing Community Preparedness and Environmental Action

The Culmination Day also highlighted community engagement initiatives implemented throughout the year. These included cleanup drives in Barangay Obrero, a mangrove planting activity with Binhi sang Paglaum, and barangay cleanup efforts in Mansaya.

These activities reflect PSFI’s continued commitment to environmental care, disaster preparedness, and collaborative community development.

Recognizing Partners Who Make Progress Possible

PSFI and SPC honored key partners through Plaques of Recognition and Certificates of Appreciation. Awardees included Iloilo City Mayor Raiza Treñas, partner barangays from Iloilo City, the Bureau of Fire Protection Iloilo City, Philippine Coast Guard District Western Visayas, the Department of Trade and Industry, Iloilo City Police Station 8, PESO Iloilo, the Technical Institute of Iloilo City, and SPC’s Bacolod Terminal.

Bo. Obrero National High School and Binhi sang Paglaum also received Certificates of Appreciation for their active participation and collaboration in community initiatives.

Messages of Gratitude and Inspiration

The celebration was further enriched by reflections from beneficiaries and partners. SKIL scholar Vincent Julius Lobaton and Shell LiveWIRE representative Janice Jaravilla shared how the programs opened doors to new opportunities and renewed confidence. PESO Manager Gabriel Felix Umadhay spoke on behalf of partner institutions, reaffirming continued support for PSFI’s mission.

Shell LiveWIRE alumnus Raniel Tabasin delivered the inspirational message, encouraging scholars and entrepreneurs to remain resilient and to continue uplifting their communities.

Moving Forward Together

PSFI Program Director Raiza V. Cusi closed the ceremony by recognizing the collective efforts of partners, beneficiaries, and PSFI teams. While the Culmination Day marked the close of the 2025 program cycle, she emphasized that PSFI’s commitment to community empowerment and sustainable development continues, building on the progress achieved and moving forward together with communities.

Twenty-six Grade 12 learners from Sulpicio A. Roco Memorial High School achieved a 100% passing rate in the Agricultural Crop Production NC II assessment after completing 320 hours of classroom instruction and farm immersion at PSFI’s Shell Training Farm in Bombon through DepEd’s JDVP. Certified as Competent in core crop production and essential workplace and safety skills, the fourth batch of graduates is now better positioned for employment, entrepreneurship, or further studies in agriculture, supporting stronger youth participation in food security and sustainable farming.

Cultivating Future-Ready Problem Solvers: PSFI Celebrates the Impact of the Shell NXplorers Program (2019–2025)

From 2019 to 2025, the Shell NXplorers Program, implemented by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., equipped 2,716 students and 421 teachers across 101 schools with the skills to tackle complex real-world challenges. Through systems thinking, scenario planning, and sustainability-driven problem solving, young Filipinos strengthened their confidence, creativity, and collaboration. With 97 student-led projects generated through the Bright Ideas Challenge, NXplorers leaves behind a generation ready to shape solutions for food, water, and energy challenges.

A Promise Fulfilled: Arlene Yago’s Journey as a 2025 SKIL Scholar

At 28, Arlene Yago chose to return to school, carrying with her the words her father once told her: “Mag-aral ka para sa akin.” A young mother from Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Arlene became a 2025 scholar of the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) program in Electronics NC II, stepping into a field she never imagined for herself.

Shortly after her training began, she lost her father. Instead of stopping, she pressed on, honoring his dream through perseverance and hard work. Today, Arlene’s journey is more than a certification earned. It is a promise fulfilled and a future steadily being built for her family.

Shell LiveWire 2025: Growing Enterprises, Powering Possibilities

From 2020 to 2025, Shell LiveWire supported 157 Community Enterprises and 26 Tech Startups nationwide. In 2025 alone, the program reached 47 community enterprises, provided startup capital to 42 enterprises, and awarded equity-free grants to five tech startups across 10 sites nationwide.

Through structured training, mentorship, and partnerships with LGUs, national agencies, and innovation hubs, Shell LiveWire helps Filipino entrepreneurs strengthen livelihoods, create jobs, and develop solutions that enable communities to thrive.

Building Better Pathways, One Ecobrick at a Time

In Batangas City, discarded plastic was transformed into safer walkways for children through an Ecobrick Laying Activity led by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with Shell Business Operations and Shell Import Facility Tabangao. With 5,000 ecobricks turned over and 57 volunteers working side by side, school pathways at Tabangao Ambulong Elementary School and San Isidro Day Care Center were strengthened—creating cleaner, safer spaces for learning and play.

The initiative forms part of PSFI’s Community Activity Support (CAS) program, which has reached over 30,000 individuals nationwide since 2023 through education, health, and environmental efforts. Read how sustainability and partnership are building better pathways for communities.

Nourishing Young Lives: Thaison Volunteers Bring Care and Nutrition to RTS Light in Mabalacat City

On January 27, 2026, the Family Care Center in Marcos Village, Mabalacat City, became a space of shared care and learning through the Roots to Shoots (RTS) Light Program. Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), with the support of Thaison Builders and Developer, Inc. (TBDI), Clark Development Corporation, Barangay Nutrition and Health Workers, FCC teachers, and parent volunteers, conducted a nutrition-focused feeding activity for 25 pre-school children.

Building on hands-on volunteerism, TBDI staff helped prepare and serve nutrient-rich meals, then led a storytelling session that reinforced positive values and healthy habits. The activity also strengthened parental awareness through short, interactive nutrition education led by health workers, reflecting RTS Light’s goal of nourishing children while deepening community participation and ownership.