Around 100 employee volunteers, partners, teachers, and school staff joined hands to help Aringay National High School in Poblacion, Aringay, La Union as part of Northern Star’s Sikap, Tulong, Sulong! (STS) event on August 27, 2022.

“Who says Bayanihan is dead and already out of fashion?,” said Dr. Adela C. Libunao, school principal. “Northern Star and Go Petrol’s campaign and advocacy thru the Renovate to Educate Program is not merely a manifestation of their willingness to see safe and conducive schools across the country but moreover to showcase that Bayanihan is alive among us all. Agyaman kami la unay ti adu! Dios ti agngina!”

The joint hard work and effort of the team resulted in the repair and refurbishment of approximately 55 school chairs; repainting of three classroom walls and one corridor; repair of one classroom ceiling, 20 classroom and toilet doors; 15 doorknobs replacement; and the fabrication of four library tables and 11 blackboards.

The STS activity was conducted with Renovate to Educate (rED), a non-profit, non-stock organization that aims to uplift school communities throughout the country one build at a time.

GoPetrol Transport, Inc., a Northern Star subsidiary engaged in land transport of fuel with operations in the province, also donated recycled and upcycled drums and tires. The GoPetrol team fabricated 20 plant pots made from old tires, 10 trash bins and one wash area from used oil drums and conducted a waste segregation awareness session with some of the science, technology engineering, and mathematics (STEM) stream students.

Through STS, Northern Star partners with various non-government organizations to create a legacy in the communities where it operates. With the joint passion and effort (SIKAP) of the community, retailers, and the help (TULONG) of the Northern Star team, beneficiaries can improve their lives, move forward (SULONG), and aspire for a better future. STS’ central themes are education, health, environment, and values formation.