Annually, iVolunteer Philippines recognizes outstanding volunteers in the country with by giving the iVolunteer Champions award, an recognition program which is anchored on the dream of iVolunteer for every Filipino to have the values of in the organization’s five (5) core values: Integrity, Inclusivity, Nationalism, Professionalism, and Changed Leadership. 

Last year, Paolo Ordonio, 30, and an active volunteer from the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, was awarded the iVolunteer Champion 2024 for Integrity.

As a volunteer, Ordonio believes that volunteerism is a choice and a calling that someone shall answer. For Paolo, the word “volunteerism” is noble, which is why many people find it rewarding, although not financially, but in a way that fulfills someone’s calling in life.  

For Paolo, what he does with volunteering is a choice. As he said, “pinipili mo na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng iba bukod sa pangangailangan mo” (because you chose to cater to the needs of others aside from what you need). 

He started volunteering at a church through the church’s ministry. In fact, he is a product of Sunday School, which made him realize that the people in church are all volunteers; they serve because of their love for God. As time went by, he realized that he was into teaching and became a student assistant teacher at the Sunday School. During his college years, his desire for teaching intensified, and he explored teaching outside the church. 

This was when he found Pasay Pups, a volunteer-driven non-profit organization. They needed a teacher for children living at the Pasay Public Cemetery.  This is how Paolo’s story of integrity, especially through volunteerism, was strengthened. He firmly believes that one should be committed to doing what is right, whether people see it or not. Just like what he did, he traveled two (2) to three (3) hours just to teach the children at the said cemetery even when people did not care of what he was doing. 

He came to a point when he asked himself, “Why am I doing this?” He found himself with an answer: “It is because of my love for the next generation.” To see the children, who are not given the opportunity to study and, children who are victims of poverty, have dreams to ease their lives, gives Paolo hope and the possibility of change. 

He continued teaching in different organizations like AHA Learning Foundation, and later on worked in the government. He was assigned to do media information literacy, where he teaches people the proper way to access information and analyze it, especially the ones that are available on the internet.

Looking back on his journey, he is reminded that everything was really leaning into education, helping people see that they are not limited, that there is something better and that they can contribute to this world, especially if they are guided with the right information, values, and character within themselves.

The iVolunteer Champion for Integrity award was really unexpected for him, yet he was inspired by his friends, Josh and Rod, who were also recipients of the iVolunteer Champion award in 2023 and who were with him in the TAYO Awards when he represented the Break the Fake Movement. So, when he received the iVolunteer Champion for Integrity award last 2024, the first thought that came to his mind, “Lord, salamat. It is really a validation na tinawag mo ako sa calling na ito” (it is a validation of your calling). The award may be tangible, but the effect on him is a validation, a reminder that the journey was not easy, but the impact in the community where he is called to is seen. 

Other than the award, iVolunteer Philippines serves as a platform for him. In Paolo’s words, “Si iVolunteer Philippines ay isa sa mga instrumento para mas mahalin ko iyong panawagan kong pagsilbihan ang mga nasa laylayan. Masyado niya akong binuksan sa konsepto ng reyalidad ng buhay na hindi ko kayang takasan… para mas umapak ako sa reyalidad ng buhay” (iVolunteer Philippines is one of the instruments as to why I should love the calling to serve the marginalized. It really opened the concept of the reality of life that I cannot escape…so I can stay grounded with life’s reality).

Whenever he shares to his friends, although it sounds cheesy or very nationalistic, he would really mention that the ones with capabilities shall do their part to be the voices of those who cannot share theirs, to stand for those who do not know where to start and he added, “Tapangan niyo lang” (Just be brave) and “pakinggan niyo rin ang mga sarili ninyo kasi kung mayroon kang panawagan, hindi ka talaga patutulugin niyan” (just listen to yourselves because if you have a calling, it won’t make you sleep). 

Being brave is essential for Paolo because life is uncertain, and sudden changes may happen, just like how their teaching classes at the cemetery in Pasay had to stop because of COVID-19. He also believes that his advocacy is rooted in his faith, as he believes that when God calls someone for something, He will be there to give directions and there will be peace regardless of the unpleasant comments from other people based on his experiences like, “wala ka namang kikitain diyan” (you will not earn from it) or “pinapagod mo lang ang sarili mo” (you are just making yourself tired). 

He firmly believes that he really just needs to make an effort to divert things because sooner, those who do not believe in what he does, will eventually realize the same value of what he is seeing, and the importance of volunteering. 

He kept going with his volunteer work from their community services, outreach activities, especially in the communities far from civilization, and these experiences made him understand why people think and act in a way that they do. 

After all, he still carries with him the concept he had learned, “every individual is a puzzle piece of this world,” and someone just needs to lend a hand so everyone will see how they can contribute to the world with their talents and skills. 

Truly, Paolo is an epitome of integrity – someone who heartily serves others, especially his kapwa (fellow Filipinos), regardless of whether his actions are seen or not, for there is no hiding in integrity and there is an impact that comes from it which an individual can leave as a legacy.