Shell World Philippines 2012 Issue 2

Mobility when he said, “There is nosingle solution to the energy challenge.However, with commitment from theenergy industry, transport companies,governments, and policymakers aliketo work together and with customers,we have taken the important first stepstoward finding a truly sustainable andviable solution.”I realised how important communitybuildingand stakeholder cooperationwere to fulfill the goal of smartermobility. With this thought lingeringin my head, I was doubly agile in mysteps as I went through my Day 2.It was a special day because Ihad the chance to carry the BungaManggar with some friends who alsovolunteered to be part of a traditionalMalaysian entourage. While carryingthe Bunga Manggar, I couldn’thelp but be star-strucked with MrGainsborough, Chief Financial OfficerSimon Henry and all other importantpeople from Shell who walked besideus during the parade going to theSepang track for the flag-off ceremony.I kept telling myself I was indeed alucky girl who was not just enjoyingher work, but parading side by sidewith the bigwigs of Shell.Mr Henry led the flag-off ceremony,joined by Mr Yang Berhormat Dato’Sri Idris Jala, Chief Executive Officer ofMalaysia’s Performance Managementand Delivery Unit (PEMANDU). MrHenry made me feel proud to be partof Shell Eco-marathon Asia, when hesaid, “It’s amazing to see how mucheffort and passion goes into buildingthese vehicles. The ingenuity andcreativity of our young scientists andengineers are an inspiration to us all,and shows what we might expect fromcars of the future.”After the Flag-Off Ceremony, MrHenry opened the Future Energy,Smarter Mobility Forum which saw150 policymakers and stakeholdersfrom around the region in a paneldiscussion on present and futureenergy issues and solutions. In thisseminar, I took special note of hismessage, “At Shell, we’re workingto accelerate innovation and makemobility smarter – from more efficientPhilippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya (3 rd from left) with Shell Companiesin the Philippines Country Chairman Edgar Chua (2 nd from right), NGO and StakeholderRelations Manager Ronald “Suiee” Suarez and George Operario (2nd and 3rd from left).Also in the photo are members of the UP Team.vehicle fuels to liquid fuels made fromcleaner natural gas. But it will takemore than just technical innovationto satisfy the demands of a growingglobal population. We need to investtime and money in developing newpartnerships to match commercialexpertise from the private sectorwith the regulatory expertise of thepublic sector for a more sustainablefuture.” This sense of pride I felt thatday enveloped me and energised mefurther. Mr Henry’s message made mefeel more proud to be part of Shell -proud to be part of a company thatwill help define the future of energy.The lAst dAy : July 7, 2012On day 3, the final day, I woke upearly. I didn’t mind my tired musclesand aching limbs when I boarded theshuttle to Sepang. I was fired up tosee action at another must-be presentand must-attend day. And indeed, itwas a fantastic day!I was part of the human barricadethat led 119 teams with their cars tothe right way out of the Sepang track.I joined the close to 2,000 studentteams,participants and volunteers fora group photo that commemoratedShell Eco-marathon Asia 2012. Theday whizzed before my eyes. I didn’teven notice the time as I was in a fitof revelry – working while having fun.The experience was really somethingfor the books.But time really flies when one is havingfun. Before I knew it, the day wasover. With mixed feelings, I sat withthe Philippine delegation at the GrandMarquee to witness the awarding.Shell Malaysia Country Chair Iain Lostarted the event by acknowledgingthe outstanding performance of thisyear’s student-teams. I couldn’t agreewith him more, when he said, “Thelevel of energy and team spirit exudedin the pit and on the track has beentruly amazing. It has shown that withteam work, impressive results canbe achieved. One can’t help butbe optimistic that achieving smartermobility is not too distant a dream,when our future is already thinking ofsolutions today.”When the awarding commenced, Inever expected to be dancing for joywith the Philippine delegation veryearly in the night.The Philippines’ De La Salle University24 i shell world philippines