Stories of inspiration

PSFI Gathers Scholars for Transformative LEAD Workshop

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., in partnership with Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, recently held the LEAD Workshop, a leadership and personal development training for its scholars. The event brought together 79 students from five partner schools under three of PSFI’s flagship programs: the Medical Scholarship Program (MSP), Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL), and Science and Technology Education Program (STEP).

LEAD, which stands for Leadership Enhancement and Attitude Development, was designed as a collaborative effort between PSFI’s Education and Downstream programs. With support from Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, the workshop aimed to nurture the leadership potential of scholars across nursing, allied health, and STEM fields. It also fostered cross-disciplinary learning and strengthened the scholars’ commitment to service, collaboration, and ethical leadership.

Held in a dynamic and supportive environment, the workshop featured interactive sessions on servant leadership, team building, values-based decision-making, and self-discovery. The activities encouraged scholars to reflect on their personal journeys, embrace their role as future changemakers, and build lasting connections with peers from different disciplines.

Adding to the momentum were the scholarship heads and representatives from PSFI’s academic partner institutions who joined the workshop. Their presence reinforced the importance of collaborative education and mentorship. A special message from Dr. Florentino Afable, Chancellor of LPU St. Cabrini, inspired participants to pursue their paths with compassion and courage. He also shared his enthusiasm for potential medical missions led by MSP scholars, a vision closely aligned with PSFI’s goal of community-focused development.

PSFI Executive Director Sebastian C. Quiniones, Jr. also joined the scholars virtually to formally close the event and reinforce PSFI’s continued support for youth leadership and growth.

The LEAD Workshop was more than a training. It was a celebration of youth leadership, collaboration, and shared purpose. It reflected PSFI’s ongoing commitment to building the next generation of leaders and professionals who are not only competent but also compassionate and community-driven.

Through the continued support of partners like Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, PSFI remains steadfast in its mission to create meaningful opportunities for Filipino youth and empower them to lead with purpose.

Related stories:

PSFI and Shell Pilipinas Corporation Celebrate 2025 Tagbilaran Culmination Day, Honoring Community Enterprises and Local Partnerships

PSFI and Shell Pilipinas Corporation celebrated the 2025 Tagbilaran Culmination Day, marking key milestones of the Tagbilaran Social Development Program and the impact of strong local partnerships.

The event highlighted the completion of the 2025 Shell LiveWIRE Program by three community enterprises and recognized broader community initiatives, including school support, coastal cleanups, and disaster relief efforts. The gathering underscored a shared commitment to sustaining community progress in Tagbilaran.

In Memory of Cesar A. Buenaventura

Cesar A. Buenaventura shaped not only institutions, but the character and purpose of the people who worked with him. As the founding chairman of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., he was a principled leader who combined firmness with empathy, demanded excellence, and remained unwavering in doing what was right. In this personal reflection, PSFI Executive Director Sebastian C. Quiniones Jr. shares memories of CAB’s quiet but lasting influence, and the values that continue to guide the Foundation’s service to others.

BCFI and PSFI Celebrate 99 Caregiver Graduates, Opening Pathways to Employment and Transformation

BCFI and PSFI recently celebrated the graduation of 99 caregiver scholars under the MetamorphoCare 2025 program, held at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City. The ceremony highlighted powerful stories of second chances, from working mothers and sidewalk vendors to determined breadwinners who turned challenges into opportunities through education and skills training.

Through the Technical Vocational Caregiving Scholarship Program, part of a five–year partnership between BCFI and PSFI, scholars are equipped with NC II certification, career readiness, and direct access to employment opportunities through career talks and a linkages fair with hiring partners. Beyond certificates, the graduates carry renewed dignity, hope, and purpose as they step into their roles as caregivers, ready to uplift their families and serve communities with compassion.

Anchored by Love: The Story of Bong Fernan Tumanda

For years, former seafarer Bong Fernan Tumanda crossed oceans to provide for his family, spending more time at sea than at home. When the pandemic hit and his wife was pregnant, he chose to come home for good and start over through PSFI’s SKIL program in Electrical Installation and Maintenance. Today, Bong works close to his family, helps grow their small business, and treasures simple moments with his children, proving that with courage, faith, and the right support, a father’s love can chart a new course home.

From Sea Waste to Showcase: Candy’s Journey of Creativity and Purpose

In the coastal community of Bagong Silang, Puerto Princesa, Candelaria “Candy” Germata found beauty in discarded plastics and turned them into purpose. Through her enterprise, Candy’s Eco-Friendly Recycled Plastic Bottles, she transforms marine litter into colorful pots and home décor that inspire sustainable living. With guidance from Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Shell Pilipinas Corporation through the Shell LiveWIRE Program, Candy gained the confidence and skills to grow her small business and prove that creativity and care for the environment can change lives.