A cake, a coffee, and a mosquito walk into a bar.
Well, not really; but that’s how interesting stories start, so there’s three of them.
Closing out this year’s National Women’s Month, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. shone the spotlight on three women – strong Filipinas working to provide better lives for their families and their communities.
A caddy, a slice, a piece of cake
Through the years, Jona Lachica-Ojeda, 37, has taken on many roles: wife, mother of three, fast food cashier, kitchen manager, caddy, and entrepreneur.
While working at Manila Golf & Country Club, Ojeda learned of a technical-vocational scholarship training program for female caddies, made possible through a partnership between club management and Pilipinas Shell Foundation.
One of the courses offered by the program is on baking, which starts off with basic kitchen skills and cake designing; and then moves into costing, marketing, customer service, and other back-office skills needed to start a cake-making business.
These skills, she learned; and a cake-making business, she started.
Ojeda's creations are displayed online via Facebook on the Catcharap Cake page.
Photo: Catcharap Cake creations. (Catcharap Cake Facebook)
“If you want to achieve your dream, do everything you can, while you can, and while there’s still time,” she said. “Strive to continue learning new skills.”
(“Pag may gusto ka makamit sa buhay mo, gawin mo na hanggat kaya mo pa at may panahon pa. Patuloy lang na matuto ng mga bagong kaalaman.”)
Cafe Poro, something’s brewing
Something’s brewing in Barangay Poro, San Fernando, La Union, and Gina Diaz is stirring it up.
Back in July 2023, Diaz, representing the area’s Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), reached out to Pilipinas Shell Foundation asking for support in developing livelihood opportunities for local women.
Impressed with coffee they tasted in Baguio, the Poro KALIPI members were thinking of making and selling hand-crafted drip coffee packs, using beans native to La Union, and needed a benefactor to jumpstart the venture.
Pilipinas Shell Foundation, through its Shell LiveWIRE program, does just that – jumpstart business by providing capital, equipment, and raw materials.
Equally important, the program provides comprehensive training sessions covering coffee processing, financial literacy, and business planning.
Thankful for the assistance, Diaz said, “When given opportunities like we were given by Shell LiveWIRE, we must complete what we’ve started. This venture we started helps out women in our community.”
(“Kung mabibigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon, tulad sa amin sa Shell LiveWIRE, tapusin natin ang naumpisahan. Makakatulong ito sa atin, sa komunidad, at sa mga kababaihan.”)
In February this year, the 26-member community enterprise booked their first order from their very first customer.
Photo: Poro KALIPI members puttin together hand-crafted drip coffee packs (Pilipinas Shell Foundation)
Moving forward, Diaz looks to optimizing their work processes and task assignments, and enhancing their facilities.
Biting back, nipping the sting of malaria
Globally, malaria infects about 249 million and claims some 600,000 lives, according to the World Health Organization.
And for Norlyna Goling, nicknamed "Pula,” who belong to Palawan’s indigenous Tau't Bato people, this parasitic scourge strikes close to home.
Borne out of concern for her siblings and children, Goling began working as a volunteer for the Movement Against Malaria program, spearheaded by Pilipinas Shell Foundation in an effort to eradicate the disease.
“I used to be shy and struggled with reading. But when I joined the [volunteer program], my worldview expanded,” said Goling, who has been a volunteer since 2015.
“Even through difficulties, even when tired, we must push forward,” she added.
(“Kasi dati mahiyain po ako tapos nakakabasa po ako pero'di ko maintindihan. Pero noong nakasali po ako dito, parang lumawak po ang kaisipan ko.”)
(“Kahit mahirap, tuloy-tuloy pa rin, kahit napapagod.”)
Goling is at the frontline in the battle against malaria of her home community, Sitio Ogis in Barangay Ransang, and other surrounding Palawan hotspots, where she helps conduct blood tests or blood smears to identify infected individuals.
Immediately identifying infections is key to saving lives; left untreated, malaria complications can be fatal, especially to the very young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
The march of women beyond March
That stories of inspiring women take centerstage through March is in no small part because of the efforts of a woman, the first female President of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino.
The Aquino administration passed a series proclamations declaring March 8 as National Women’s Day; the first week of March as Women’s Week; and the entire month of March as Women’s Role in History Month, now colloquially referred to as National Women’s Month.
Working alongside government in empowering and recognizing the contributions of women are non-profit organizations such as Pilipinas Shell Foundation.
According to Sebastian Quiniones, Jr., the foundation’s executive director, “Strong and accomplished women often represent the backbone of their communities, possessing unique insights, skills, and networks essential for sustainable development.”
Since its inception in 1982, Pilipinas Shell Foundation has focused its corporate philanthropy in six key areas – energy, nutrition, health, education, livelihood, and the environment.
“We remain committed to expanding our reach and impact to those needing it the most,” Quiniones said. “Through innovative projects and partnerships, we can empower even more women entrepreneurs by enhancing access to education and healthcare.”
Beyond recognizing the accomplishments of individual women, Ynna Lauron-Doblado, the foundation’s program manager for downstream programs, believes that true gender equality is systemic.
“Pilipinas Shell Foundation is committed to fostering an environment where women have equal opportunities, from education, to health, and entrepreneurship,” Doblado said. “Our people in all our areas of operation and programs cultivate this environment for a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous society for all.”
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