These days, news and updates are critical.

As many rely on the latest news and developments to make informed decisions, John Carlo Toleza actively volunteers for Barangay Tisa in Cebu City to go out and capture local and provincial news.

John Carlo, known by RAFI Center for Leaders camp name “Narnia”, is just one of the many volunteers of Barangay Tisa who help in delivering time critical updates and news to fellow residents in the barangay. Narnia and the rest of the team makes sure the news they deliver are relevant and updated regularly for local residents.

In a time where communication strategies need to be fast and efficient, this assistance helps barangay officials reach local residents easily.

Narnia and his team are volunteers. They go out, capture stories and updates, and deliver these to their followers. Despite the risks of COVID-19, they continue with their mission.

On a typical day, Narnia meticulously covers relevant COVID-19 updates and news within their community. He and the rest of the volunteers manage and publish their news through the Tisa Daily Bulleting Facebook page, which has gained a following of more than 47K+ subscribers.

“The page also hears the concerns of our Tisaanons and address them accordingly,” shared Narnia. The concerns they receive through the page he relays to the barangay and ensures that these are addressed in a timely manner.

Building communities and connecting with others online has become a growing trend throughout the quarantine period.

As more families face the dangers impact of the pandemic on their livelihood, Narnia and other volunteer friends set up the Tisa Daily Bayanihan. The project serves as a hub for individuals to donate to the vulnerable sectors within the barangay.

Narnia and other volunteers ensured that those working tirelessly on the frontlines are assisted too. He and the rest of the team provided meals to posted law enforcement personnel, those serving aid to affected communities, and other frontliners in service.

Despite the dangers of COVID-19, Narnia and his friends continue to help and volunteer in their barangay. While there may be threats, they continue to serve.

“The demands of my work feel less daunting because it truly is an essential job so it cannot be done half-heartedly. Sa akoa pa nga isulti sa akong mga kaubanan nga volunteers, “Mag-uban ta sa pagmugna og maayong ugma sa Tisa,” shared Narnia.

Reflecting on his RAFI Center for Leaders experience, his time at the camp has prepared him for the volunteer work he does now.

“[CFL] has helped me not to shy away from any experience and to welcome any responsibility that comes my way. I learned to stay in the moment. When we are focused on the task at hand, our fears take the second seat. I am grateful for my [CFL] experience because it helped me stay centered and to have trust in my abilities,” said Narnia.

As COVID-19 continues to stick around, the work for Narnia and the rest of the volunteer team remains. However, no matter of big of a task their work may be, they continue to help.

“For me it is important to always be grounded and remind yourself why you chose to volunteer. The spirit of volunteerism is that it’s directed action. There has to be a picture of the people we that we are volunteering for. It had already become a habit to add my barangay among my responsibilities. This pandemic merely heightened that sense of responsibility. I am proud to say that the Tisaanons who have been my home and my people are the reason I continue to serve in this pandemic,” said Narnia.

At the RAFI Center for Leaders, we continue to celebrate frontliners across the Philippines, and the globe, who continue to share so much of themselves in the service of others. For the month of August, the RAFI Center for Leaders will feature frontline heroes who work tirelessly at the frontlines in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Text by Elisabeth Baumgart; Graphics Edits by Marlon Perilla, RAFI Center for Leaders

The RAFI Center for Leaders provides learning and development programs that equip leaders and enable communities through world-class, safe, powerful learning experiences. The RAFI CFL headquarters are located in the scenic mountains of Balamban, Cebu at the Kool Adventure Camp, the country’s first and fully-dedicated adventure education facility.