Stories of inspiration

Neighbors for Nature: PSFI and SPC Join Puerto Princesa to Restore Balance at the 40th International Coastal Cleanup

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY | September 20, 2025

When hundreds of citizens came together at the Puerto Princesa Baywalk for the 40th International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), the air was filled with both urgency and hope. With the theme “Clean Seas Against the Climate Crisis: Tayo ang Solusyon,” the day was more than just about picking up litter. It was about people rising as one to protect the place they call home.

Students, employees, government agencies, private organizations, and local residents showed up in force. Among them were representatives of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), Ms. Cheilo Padilla and Mr. Edong Magpayo, together with Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC), led by Puerto Princesa Terminal Manager Mr. Chester Rey.

Volunteers not only collected waste along the Baywalk but also took part in a symbolic act during the 17th Save the Puerto Princesa Bays celebration. They threw “MudBalls” into the bay, eco-friendly spheres that help restore balance by reducing water pollutants and foul odors. It was a small yet meaningful gesture of healing the waters.

Beyond the Baywalk, PSFI and SPC teams rolled up their sleeves at the back entrance of the Shell Terminal in Barangay Bagong Silang. In a matter of hours, they filled two sacks with garbage, mostly single-use plastics. The piles of collected waste served as a reminder of the ongoing challenge to reduce plastic use at the source.

At a time when coastal communities face the brunt of the climate crisis, initiatives like these remind us that action cannot wait. Every bottle collected, every piece of plastic removed, and every MudBall thrown marks a step toward resilience.

As the social arm of Shell companies in the Philippines, PSFI believes that being a good neighbor means standing shoulder to shoulder with communities in the shared work of environmental stewardship. It is not just about fueling lives with energy. It is about ensuring that those lives can flourish in safe, sustainable, and thriving environments.

By working together, citizen by citizen and neighbor by neighbor, change begins with awareness, grows through collective effort, and endures through partnership.

Through its continued presence in local initiatives, PSFI reaffirms that community thrives when people care not only for one another but also for the environment that sustains them. On that September morning in Puerto Princesa, hope floated not just in the waters of the bay but in the hands of every volunteer determined to clean, restore, and protect it

Related stories:

Makulay Dahil Bahagi Ka: How Joan dela Cerna is Building a Future Rooted in Care

After years of working abroad to provide for her family, Joan dela Cerna returned home with a renewed determination to build a future closer to her children. Through the Medical Scholarship Program (MSP) supported by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI), she is pursuing her dream of becoming a caregiver while balancing her roles as a mother, student, and breadwinner. Her story is a reminder that when people are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute, they can create meaningful change for themselves, their families, and their communities.

RESCUE in Action: Building Fire-Ready and Resilient Communities in Macabalan

Under its RESCUE (Response to Communities Under Emergencies) program, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with Shell Pilipinas Corporation, conducted a two-day fire safety and emergency response training in Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City. In partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection and the local government unit, the initiative equipped community volunteers and residents with essential fire prevention and response skills, helping strengthen local preparedness and build more resilient communities.

Opening Doors to Opportunity: MGCCFI and PSFI Scholars Earn TESDA Customer Service Certification

Twenty-six scholars under the Manila Golf and Country Club Foundation, Inc. (MGCCFI) Technical Vocational Scholarship Program, implemented in partnership with Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), successfully earned their TESDA Customer Services NC II certification. Through months of online training, skills development, and perseverance, the scholars gained industry-recognized competencies that will help open doors to employment opportunities and a brighter future.

Makulay Dahil Bahagi Ka: How Rowena Miranda is Inspiring the Next Generation of Indigenous Learners

From scholar to teacher, Rowena Miranda’s journey has come full circle. An Aeta educator from Marcos Village, Pampanga, she now dedicates her life to helping indigenous children take their first steps in education and believe in their own potential. Through her story, we are reminded that communities become stronger and more vibrant when every person is given the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute.

Shell–PhilDev Partnership Celebrated at PhilDev Gala: Advancing a Legacy of Filipino Excellence

Shell Companies in the Philippines and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) joined industry, academe, and innovation leaders at the 2026 PhilDev Annual Gala Fundraiser, celebrating the legacy of Filipino technology pioneer Dado Banatao. The event recognized Shell Pilipinas Corporation as a Corporate Honoree for its long-standing partnership with PhilDev and support for more than 200 scholars through the Shell–PhilDev Scholarship Program. The evening also highlighted the achievements of Shell–PhilDev alumni recognized among the Young Innovators of the Year, underscoring the impact of investing in education, innovation, and the next generation of Filipino changemakers.

REACH Brings Essential Healthcare Services Closer to Libjo Communities

Hundreds of residents in Barangay Libjo, Batangas City gained access to essential healthcare services through the REliable Access to Community Healthcare (REACH) initiative of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Shell Import Facility Tabangao (SHIFT). Through free medical consultations, dental services, medicines, and diagnostic support, the mission helped address immediate health needs while promoting preventive care and healthier communities. Supported by government agencies, healthcare institutions, and volunteers, the initiative highlights the power of partnerships in bringing quality healthcare closer to Filipino families.