PSFI marks its 40th year Anniversary

 BY JUN ENRIQUEZ

 

PSFI Scholars Alumni with Mr. Sebastian Quinones, Jr. (red shirt) PSFI Executive Director

 

Cagayan de Oro City – 40 years ago, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Incorporated (PSFI) was conceptualized as corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the Shell company importing oil products in the Philippines. The concept was turn into reality when a great man in the name of Ceasar Buenaventura eagerly pushed for the creation of the foundation. On July 19, 1982, PSFI was established aimed to serve the out-of-youth (OSY) to be trained at the National Manpower and Youth Council – Regional Manpower Training Center (NMYC-RMTC) nationwide, now the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

 The PSFI accepted applications from OSY for scholarship program through the process of examinations and interviews. One of the testing centers was located at the NMYC-RMTC in Iligan City. It may recall that Iligan City was dubbed as the Industrial City of the southern Philippines due to the many factories found in the area. The program was named Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) whose scholars will undertake trainings on courses such as Automotive Mechanics, Electricity, etc., good for 3-6 months trainings.

 In Iligan City, the PSFI elevated the scholars to continue their studies on three – year Technical courses at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and must pass the entrance examination of the University and will be the basis in PSFI ranking system. The scholars received stipends, PSFI uniforms and medicines on monthly basis. The PSFI holds 15 batches of scholars numbering thousands of beneficiaries in a span of 40 years. Another program added to the PSFI portfolio along the way was the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Agikultura (SAKA).

 During the 40^th Anniversary celebrations held at the Divisoria amphitheater this City, July 19-20, with the presence of Mr. Sebastian C. Quiniones, Jr., Executive Director of PSFI, who was the guest of honor, in his message said that the theme of the celebrations “Moving Further”, was taken from the idea of the PSFI President and founding chairman Ceasar Buenaventura, 93 years of age, is still the current chairman of PSFI. The theme “Moving Further” is to continue a new endeavor of serving the people because what is done is done and it needs to move further, Quiniones narrated the statement.

 Quiniones said that the current activities of PSFI are related to environmental protection to reduce plastic waste grind into pieces mix in cement hollow blocks and served as livelihoods to the people in Macabalan this city; Health activities to fight and prevent HIV, malaria and other health cases; Livelihood for women on food processing, especially to single mothers; Biyahero program involves traffic education to reduce traffic accidents; and the continued SKIL scholarships program. One of the main partners of PSFI of the later time is the Local government of Cagayan de Oro City.   

 One of the memorable moments during the 40^th Anniversary celebrations was the testimonial of PSFI scholar experienced 40 years ago. Standing in the podium was Maria Lourdes F. Camu, graduated from the course Diploma in Electronic Engineering Technology major in Industry, at the MSU-IIT, Iligan City. Camu was 2^nd batch PSFI scholar in 1983. She said that all the scholars were coming from OSY, who stopped studying from college due to financial constraints in the family to continue college education. Here comes the PSFI scholarships opportunity for the OSY, she said.

 Camu expressed emotionally the sad experiences she encountered as a student and the rest of the PSFI scholars that the 300-peso monthly stipend was not enough to sustain their needs. Sometimes they asked toothpaste from other students, borrowed shoes from friends, no more pen and paper to use but asked their classmates who have had extras. She said all these challenges were being overcame with perseverance and patience and asked all the PSFI scholars to unite fight for survival and don’t let the PSFI scholarship program to collapse.

 Camu said if she gave up her PSFI scholarship and decided to get married, she thinks she will suffer more difficulties in life. In her message, the 40 years of PSFI existence many of the scholars survived and changed their lives. They are now living with their own families with pride and dignity, landed stable jobs in local and abroad, successfully sent their children to college and graduated in different courses like doctors, nurses, accountants, teachers and many more. Finally Camu said “We are proud PSFI Scholars!” (Jun Enriquez, 4^th Batch PSFI Scholar-Alumnus, multi-skilled practicing Journalist based in Iligan City)