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IAMRAFI: Seeing SilverClouds in RAFI
The Story of Leomil ‘SilverCloud’ Urpiana & His Journey to His First Decade with RAFI
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero & RAFI-KAC | March 13, 2018
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Leomil or ‘Leo’ started working with the Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI-KAC) in 2007 as an instructor, enhancing the skills of campers through the youth and professional development programs. He makes sure that campers discover their own capabilities in defeating their own dragons through different physical and mind activities. All these he accomplished well, under his camp name — SilverCloud.
Building blocks of a strong decade
It all started when, as a college student, Leo participated in the Adventure program of the Kool Adventure Camp (KAC).
“I started my interest with Adventure programming when it was introduced to me through my participation in the Adventure programs, which was then conducted by Totits Ocampo. I was finishing my second course of Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Major in Physical Education that time.”
“The Outdoors has always been my interest since I was young. Growing up, our home was surrounded with big trees and I would climb those trees, and that’s how I got engaged in the outdoors. I am also sports oriented, I can say that heavy outdoors is my solitude.”
“I am heavily into training, my goal back then was to be a Physical Therapist, but then I eventually took Secondary Education, Major in Physical Education because I enjoy the outdoors and being active at all times.” Leo said.
Encouraging the ‘SilverCloud’
Leo remembers that during one of his classes back in 2005 or 2006, his professor Astrid Ocampo, the wife of Totits Ocampo, introduced Adventure programming.
“I was enthralled!” Leo said.
“That’s the perfect word to describe what I felt back then. I was fascinated with the different aspects of the Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) because compared to other camps, the experiences of participants’ really leave a mark on them.” Leo said.
The Rising of the ‘SilverCloud’
‘SilverCloud’ started working with RAFI on September 1, 2007, and for him, working with KAC is not just work, it is a lifestyle.
“Being with KAC allowed me to actualize what I wanted and loved doing all my life, which is to teach or train.”
“But since the 4 walls of the classroom were very restrictive for me, being an instructor in KAC afforded me the privilege to teach and train with the outdoors as my classroom and their experiences as tools for learning.”
“What made me stay is that I’m fulfilling my life’s purpose in KAC.”
‘SilverCloud’ and KAC
Making an impact in the lives of people is a big motivation for SilverCloud, as he believes that this is his own way of making a difference in touching the lives, shaping the future of campers.
“I started working with KAC as the Youth Program Facilitator, which for me was a marrying of a personal interest of who I was … truly a perfect fit.”
“I think that my work of making an impact and a difference can be likened to planting a tree, we are only there to plant the seed, nurture it if we have the opportunity. If we’re very lucky, we can see it grow, blossom and bear fruit.”
“With that in mind, I believe that I am making an impact and a difference in the lives of individuals, and organizations I had interventions with.” SilverCloud said.
SilverCloud, the camp, and the ‘aha’ moments
Campers are the most essential part of KAC, their experiences make KAC what it is today. As per SilverCloud, a feeling of exhilaration and excitement comes when people and the physical body are pushed to their limits, resulting to countless ‘aha’ moments .
“Once you join a camp, you will experience everything you haven’t experienced before. Noting that KAC is the first and only fully dedicated Adventure Education Center in the Philippines, we make sure that campers are pushed to their limits, making them effective campers when they finish the course and go back to their communities.”
“Seeing the ‘twinkle in their eyes’ as they succeed the different ropes courses and finishing the camp and of course, the ‘aha’ moments, make it more valuable for me.”
“It is important that I help the campers have a better perspective of how they view themselves, how they view the world and how they view their future.”
“This is something I could do for the rest of my life … my calling is to train people and I am very fortunate that this is my job.” SilverCloud said.
‘I think I got it from my mom’
“My mom was also a trainer for the National Family Program, and I think I got it from her. I put in a different perspective, my mom was also a trainer in an NGO, I must adopted her love for people.” Leo said.
Leo even shared a time where his mother brought him to one of her community trainings on family planning.
“Imagine, at a very young age, I was introduced to family planning and the how to’s of family planning in general.” Leo shared.
“This is something I love to do and I am good at, community and people development, something that I would like to do for as long as I can.” Leo said.
Challenges Leo, the ‘SilverCloud’ faced
“Setting up the team has been a challenge for me, coming up with innovations in KAC is a challenge, especially in creating new courses. They have to be innovative, creative, relevant and efficient.”
“Daphne Dia and I handled the Youth Development Program (YDP) and we were assigned to set up systems and programs whereby campers and participants would be able to bring home with them – something that is relevant and responsive to their needs.”
“Also, some of the challenges were my perspectives on expectations, frustrations and disappointments both personal, professional and societal. It was conquered by going back and being clear about my personal meaning and purpose.” Leo said.
The first decade of ‘SilverCloud’
“My hope is that RAFInians would find alignment and connection to achieve their fulfillment in RAFI so that eventually, they can be the best versions of themselves while making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
“We should be the people who willingly plant the seed in people and help nurture them.” Leo said.
The Greatest Career Accomplishment of ‘Silvercloud’
One decade and going strong. Longevity is one of the greatest accomplishments for Leo.
“Continuously conducting Adventure programs for 10 years straight is one of my greatest career accomplishments. I always like to be where the action is.”
“There are times I want to give up, there are different factors like personal and social expectations. Then I eventually asked myself, what do I really want to do in life? And I realized, it is training people.” Leo said.
“I am happy while I am training and seeing different campers change and making a change in their community.”
“Through focusing on the goals, all the expectations have gone away. I am at the tip of the spear.” Leo said.
On being RAFInian
“To serve and make a difference in the lives of people and organizations is fundamental to me as a professional. Sir Bobby set for us that vision, gave us that inspiration” Leo said.
“I keep on asking myself, why are we doing this? And my answer would always be, to serve people.”
“RAFI takes care of its people. I’ve always felt that RAFI takes care of me.” Leo said.
“They [RAFI] have helped me in completing my diploma, capacitated me with all the trainings I needed for my job as the Senior Instructor for Personal Development Program (PDP).”
On ‘SilverCloud’ leaving a mark and greatest lesson
“Supporting and developing leaders in KAC could be one of my legacies, including creating new programs for KAC.”
When asked on his greatest lesson he learned in working with KAC, Leo answered, “You are your greatest asset, take care of you so that you can take care of others.”
“Be the best of yourself so that you can give the best to others.”
“You cannot take care of other people if you don’t take care of yourself.” SilverCloud added.
Sir Bobby as Leo’s biggest Motivation
When asked on his motivation, the first person that Leo said was none other than the late Roberto ‘Bobby’ Aboitiz himself.
“Sir Bobby – He was my source of inspiration, truly a very inspiring person, he always reminded us with his vision and commitment, he was our beacon who inspired us to head towards a vision that was never in our horizon.”
“Sir Bobby always had a KAC commitment check. There was even a time when he asked us ‘are we ready for this?’ We said yes even though we were not that ready yet, and we pushed ourselves to our limits.”
“He [Sir Bobby] allowed us to see possibilities and potentials that we never saw. He was our beacon of light.”
“The Kool Adventure Camp was Sir Bobby’s dream.” Leo said.
“Of course, the KAC staff – they challenge me to continuously improve and innovate to be the best version of myself, for the purpose of making a positive impact with the individuals and organizations we serve.”
‘SilverCloud’ and the beginning of a new decade
“I am very lucky to be able to work in an environment that I love. Working with KAC has been my source of positive learning experience.”
“Ten strong years in RAFI is a journey towards IKIGAI (a Japanese concept that means a reason for being). Find your connection, your passion… and for me, your love for people development, be it for the youth or adults, once you have found your passion, you will find success and happiness. I am happy! #IAMRAFI”
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“I am very lucky to be able to work in an environment that I love. Working with KAC has been my source of positive learning experience.”
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“Ten strong years in RAFI is a journey towards IKIGAI (a Japanese concept that means a reason for being). Find your connection, your passion… and for me, your love for people development, be it for the youth or adults, once you have found your passion, you will find success and happiness. I am happy!”
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