A ‘Gian’ for others
We are needed — nowadays — more than ever
During these challenging times, when mankind is pushed against the wall, he has no other choice but to survive. Most of the time — pressed down to the hilt — we’re forced to nothing but our own self-preservation. That means we think, attend and care about nothing but ourselves — and perhaps maybe our loved ones. And no one else.
We can’t blame ourselves. We’re humans. We’re natural survivors. Unless you’re a government official whose particular job is to serve the people. Other than that, we would just rather forget about the rest of the world and lock ourselves up in the comfort and safety of our own homes.
However, there are those like Gian Nacino — who are headstrong as they are — would still choose to serve others despite the health risk these days.
“I really love helping people,” said the current JCI Alabang president in one personal interview.
“We are needed — nowadays — more than ever,” he added.
Unfazed for zero waste
For example, other than the usual donation drives that they do, Zero Waste, the organization’s current main project, aims to reduce the effects of carbon dioxide emissions and promote a greener environment in his community in Alabang, Las Piñas.
“We regularly carry on two pickup trucks oversized sacks full of plastic for recycling andupcycling. We currently have four villages which are drop-off points for the project and we need to go to all locations and pick up the sacks.” Unfazed with the global virus crisis wreaking havoc to communities or basically humankind — in particular — he continued, “One of my major goals this year is to reskill and upskill the membership of JCI. We have to improve how we do projects, especially now that we have to adjust in these trying times. The pandemic has changed the way how we do projects now.”
Pre-pandemic parties
According to him, before the pandemic happened, his 60-member organization would usually go to gatherings, like inductions and fund-raising parties.
“I've experienced going from North Luzon to South Luzon via land to attend JCI activities. What we would usually do is grab a member’s van and all ride on it just so to make it more economical — and yes, a bit more fun.”
Pressing on
But for him — nowadays — his organization’s undertakings have hit a major snag.
“Well, since the pandemic, we can't have gatherings of many members so it really is hard to engage the membership in activities for the chapter. The most difficult part of it would be to do projects which require you to go into communities that you don't know if there are infected citizens or not,” he shared.
I myself am afraid to go out.
Despite his strong drive to help the community, he also confessed to this writer his fear of the virus.
“One time, many of the people I know got infected,” he even disclosed.
“It is also difficult for me — personally — to ask members to go to certain projects or events since I myself am afraid to go out.”
Nonetheless, notwithstanding these stumbling blocks in his own organization, this head honcho together with his members would still remain committed and somehow manage to pull through and accomplish projects.
“We just make sure that there are only two members in each vehicle and we really practice social distancing and contact tracing,” he said.
Nacino even shared his own learnings during these troubled times that for him, going through this pandemic not only requires one to be healthy physically — but also emotionally and spiritually.
“I am driven to serve to make my community a better place to live in. I also want my community to know JCI better and to help us in our activities as we strive to give more for others,” he concluded.