Stories of inspiration

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

PASACAO, Camarines Sur | September 28, 2025

When Severe Tropical Storm Opong swept across Bicol, hundreds of families were forced to leave their homes in search of safety. In Barangay Sta. Rosa del Sur, Pasacao, ninety-four families evacuated, uncertain of what awaited them after the storm.

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), the social arm of Shell companies in the Philippines, immediately stepped in to extend help. Together with the barangay officials of Sta. Rosa del Sur, PSFI provided relief packs and essential goods to help families find comfort and regain hope during a difficult time.

“During crisis, you really get to see the resilience of a community. Pasacao might not have been within Typhoon Opong's path, but fear and doubt compelled many families to evacuate. We knew we couldn't do nothing. With Pilipinas Shell Foundation and our local partners, we provided relief, maybe humble in content but significant in intention. To families looking for safety and comfort, it was a testament that hope flourishes if kindness is extended.”
John Rhey Baranggot Terminal Operations Supervisor, Pasacao

The activity took place in Pasacao, a coastal town that has experienced both the generosity of the sea and the fury of storms. On September 28, 2025, PSFI and its partners came together to deliver aid to those who needed it most, showing how compassion can bridge fear and uncertainty.

Since its founding in 1982, PSFI has believed that being part of a community means standing with it through both triumphs and challenges. While Shell’s operations continue to power the nation’s progress, PSFI ensures that its heart beats with empathy and care, especially when disasters strike.

Through the spirit of bayanihan, barangay officials coordinated evacuation and relief efforts, while Shell Pilipinas Corporation’s Terminal Operations Supervisor John Rhey Baranggot and Terminal Operations Administrator Warren Dacayana represented the company in reaffirming its commitment to the community. Together, PSFI and its partners reminded families that recovery is not something you face alone. It is a journey built on unity, kindness, and hope.

As the rains eased and families returned home, what remained was a powerful lesson. Compassion and solidarity can withstand even the fiercest storms. PSFI’s presence in Pasacao continues to embody what it truly means to be a good neighbor, one that not only powers progress but also powers hope.

Related stories:

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.

Stronger Together: PSFI and Shell Pilipinas Corporation Celebrate Culmination Day Honoring Stories of Growth and Resilience in Palawan

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) celebrated the 2025 Culmination Day of the Palawan Social Development Program, highlighting inspiring stories of growth and resilience among local communities. The event honored the achievements of community enterprises under Shell LiveWIRE and strengthened disaster preparedness through the RESCUE Program, reflecting PSFI’s ongoing commitment to empower lives and build sustainable, resilient communities in Palawan.

Guided by Service, Grounded in Hope: The Story of Captain Cesar Rellos, Jr.

In Barangay 1, Bacolod City, Captain Cesar Rellos leads with compassion and purpose. Through his partnership with Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), his community has embraced programs that open doors to livelihood, education, and preparedness. From the SKIL training for out-of-school youth to the RESCUE program’s bucket brigade drills with the Bureau of Fire Protection, he continues to inspire collective action and bayanihan. PSFI celebrates leaders like Captain Cesar—partners in progress who help build stronger, more resilient, and more hopeful communities across the country.

Empowering First Responders: PSFI’s RESCUE Program Trains 73 Batangas Volunteers in Life-Saving Skills

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.