Passion for a bright energy future forges friendships

MANILA, Philippines - The stage is being set for the third and last Shell Eco-marathon Asia in Manila this year, and once more, volunteer organizers are ensuring that preparations proceed as planned, just like last year when close to 200 teams of engineering students from all over the region came together to design, build and run their very own energy-efficient vehicles of the future.

Last year, three particular volunteers forged a bond over a common passion for building a more progressive and sustainable future of energy. Ho Li Ling from Malaysia, Randy Galang from the Philippines and Foo Shiwei from Singapore stood out because of their keen interest in learning more about Shell’s energy advocacy and in strengthening their professional networks across the regional Shell business.

Shell employees Ho and Galang were official Shell ambassadors at the Eco-marathon Asia event, while Foo was starting his senior year in mechanical engineering at Nanyan Technological University after having been part of the school’s Eco-marathon team that previously won two off-track awards in safety and technical innovation.

After the exhilarating experience of being part of the Shell Eco-marathon Asia in early 2015, they reconnected in Singapore in June, visiting Shell’s innovative Pulau Bukom Manufacturing Site (PBMS) where Foo became an intern at the piping and inspection services division.

The group also toured Shell Jurong Island with fellow Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2015 volunteers Ren Yong, who is a senior engineer and colleague of Foo at PBMS, and Lim Weison, a plant engineer for routine maintenance at SJI.

Being the second largest port of fuel manufacturing in the world, PBMS yields 500,000 barrels of crude per day. Yong and engineer George Wong gave the group a detailed explanation of the production units and fuel products being refined at the site.

Among the most impressive aspects of PBMS operations are its stringent HSSE (health, safety, security and environment) standards. A large board is used to track and discuss daily safety records and weather conditions on the island. This tool may be credited for the excellent performance of PBMS as one of the refineries that boast of the lowest total recordable incidents across 19 Shell refineries worldwide.

Ho, Galang and Foo are using their volunteer experience from the Shell Eco-marathon Asia to contribute to a vision of an exciting and progressive energy future through innovation, as well as safety and commitment to the environment and stakeholders.

 “I think there are three ingredients connecting us—our passion for our work, trust in each other, and courage to take on new challenges,” says Ho, a revenue associate at Shell Business Operations in Malaysia. “In our life at Shell, I think it is important to stay curious and willing to learn.”

Galang, a team manager at Shell Business Operations in Manila, looks back on the exciting start of his friendship with the younger Foo: “I never expected that Shiwei’s simple gesture of sending our Shell Eco-marathon photos via email would be the start of a close friendship. We discussed his upcoming internship, among other things, and exchanged advice that each of us found useful.”

 “I admire how respect for people is deeply rooted in Shell’s culture, and I’ve consistently observed issues being discussed in a straightforward but respectful manner. I believe such core values played a role in how Randy, Li Ling, and I managed to become such close friends,” adds Foo.

The Shell Eco-marathon Asia will be held in Manila for the third and final year on March 3 to 6. Visit www.shell.com/ecomarathon.