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IAMRAFI: Where My Passion
Leads Me
The Story of Constantine ‘Tats’ Niala Samson,
Senior Program Officer, 27 Years in Service
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | August 29, 2018
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For almost three decades now, Constantine or Tats as he is fondly called, passionately contributes to the growth of RAFI in the best way he could — community development.
Humble Beginnings
Tats was born in Dipolog City in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, but grew up in Lahug, Cebu City.
Upon entering college, he took up a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at the Cebu State College in Lahug.
He is grateful to his mother and father – a laundry woman and a law graduate, respectively, for sending him to school despite their financial difficulties.
“I am proud because my parents were able to send me to school. They have been my source of inspiration for me to finish college,” he said.
Tats is happily married to his classmate back in college after a nine-year relationship. Their two children are now in college.
The Beginning of the First Three Decades
In 1996, Tats joined RAFI as a Project Officer for the Ecosystem Cebu project, which was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He was first assigned in Liloan, Cebu. After six years, he was regularized in RAFI.
Tats believes that the community development approaches of RAFI are aligned to what he believes in personally — comprehensive and holistic.
On Finding Meaning
In his 27 years with RAFI, Tats ensures that his work would contribute to the growth of the organization.
“In order for RAFI to realize its vision and mission particularly in community development, I make sure I use my knowledge and skills in facilitating community development work,” he added.
Most Memorable Program for Tats
For almost a decade now, the Our Cebu Program (OCP) has been a quite challenging yet memorable for Tats since he has to deal with different local government units (LGUs) and local chief executives.
“The OCP started in 2009, and I found it to be very challenging because you have to interact with different people, different mindsets and perspectives, and different backgrounds from different barrios, cities, municipalities,” he added.
“Every municipality has its own culture. As Community Development practitioners, we have to know that and adjust. Nonetheless, it is enjoyable because I was able to interact with them and assist in some crucial decisions pertaining to the implementation of the program in the LGU level,” Tats said.
In Working at RAFI
For Tats, working in RAFI has helped him develop his skills and personality. Once considered as the ‘quiet guy,’ he now helps in the development of Cebu through different nation-building initiatives led by RAFI in partnership with the LGUs.
“In RAFI, you get to be exposed to lots of community development works. You get to deal with people in various levels, to have the opportunity to speak, and most importantly, to get to listen to their challenges,” he said.
“In this job, you need to build a strong rapport with the community. In order for you to do that, you need to know yourself first — understand your capabilities, your skills, and how you could relay the message correctly and clearly,” Tats said.
Tats added that, “with proper training and facilitating, one is able to help them create a holistic and a better society.”
On the Vision of RAFI
For Tats, RAFI is a platform for nation-building working hand-in-hand with the community and other stakeholders.
“I am just an ordinary guy, but I have my own contribution to nation-building, and this is through my job in RAFI,” he said.
“RAFI has been here for 51 years. The vision and mission of the founders match my own as well. It is great working with people from all walks of life — the less privileged, the influential, the local government units’ officials, and the key decision makers. I learned so many things in the process and used the learning to help more people as well,” he shared.
On Why People Stay for Decades in RAFI
One of the facts that RAFI takes pride in is the dedication of its people towards work. Some RAFInians have spent more than a decade of service in the organization, and Tats is one of them – with 27 years and still counting.
When asked why he thinks people stay in RAFI, he gave two reasons: commitment and fulfilment.
“Having stayed with RAFI for many years, I can see the passion in the different teams that are fully committed to the work that they do for the stakeholders they serve. They get a sense of fulfillment doing it. Their sense of purpose is very high,” he shared.
“This is why I have stayed this long, and I hope the youth of today could likewise see the value of the work that they do,”
The Cost of Fieldwork
“Fieldwork has its advantages and disadvantages. In the field you get to deal with lots of people, and no doubt the work is inspiring. However, since I travel using different means of transportation like habal-habal, we get exposed to the elements — when it rains or when it’s extremely hot, it’s physically stressful,” Tats said.
On Handling Stress
We asked Tats how he handles stress.
“One thing that I have learned in my almost three decades of community development work is that when you see the value and meaning of your work, stress is just secondary. Yes, you get tired but it’s just your body. Your heart is full,” he said.
“That is why you should learn to relax. For me, it is by giving quality time to my family,” Tats said.
“Also, you have to properly plan your day. Use your time well. That’s your best defense,” he added.
Everyday Sacrifices
Tats shared that sometimes, hard work comes at a cost, especially when it concerns his family.
“In the past so many years, I leave the house early in the morning while my kids are still sleeping, and I arrive late in the evening ,and my kids are already sleeping,”
“To make up for this, I ensure that I bond with them during my free time – weekends and holidays. Whenever there’s an opportunity to bond with them, I make the most out of it,” Tats said.
Changes He Has Seen
Tats has witnessed the fast-changing environment while doing his work — from using the good old telephones to the smartphones of today.
“When we immersed in the community before, we didn’t have any communication with the ‘outside world.’ If we wanted to call somebody, we had to go through the trouble of looking for a landline. Electricity was also difficult. There were many times when we had to endure a whole week in the community without electricity! Fieldwork is where your patience and character will be tested and I really love the challenge!” Tats said.
The Fieldwork Experience
RAFI ensures the safety of its people regardless of where they work — whether field or office.
“We have to be safe at all times, we are not deployed if we are not safe. There is a process in RAFI that ensures this,” Tats said.
In implementing community development programs, Tats shares this.
“You have to build a good relationship with the community and build strong rapport,”
“Acceptance by the community of your program is a good indicator, and if every plan is in place it would eventually result to successful delivery of service,” Tats shared.
On Challenges and Difficulties
Having to deal with different people all the time, Tats has been able to adjust to the different personalities in various levels in the community—from rank and file to high ranking officials.
“Integrity and reputation are very important factors. In the course of our work, administration is always changing. You have to adjust to their language and culture. What remains constant and never changing is the good reputation of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI),”
“We, as an organization, must bridge the gap between the private sector and the government, and that is what we are doing through the various programs and projects that we have,”
“And as employees, we are the ambassadors of RAFI of our programs,” Tats said.
Tats and His Source of Inspiration
When asked this question Tats answered with a simple, ‘Sir Bobby,’
“He was really the inspirational leader that motivated us to contribute to society. He is always present when we needed him. Sir Bobby had that spark and genuine quality about him,”
“Sir Bobby was different. The way he dealt with people, you could really tell that he was genuine. He truly cared for us and for Cebu,”
“Next would be DBC and the team leaders working in RAFI. They were able to influence me in different ways. Part of our work here is influencing the influencers, and I understand how difficult this is,” he shared.
Tats is also grateful for the perks of his job. He was given the opportunity to travel to Europe in 2012 when he was assigned as adult leader of the Xplore 2012, a youth exchange program under the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center.
“Staying in RAFI for all these years helped me enhance my personality,”
Message to the New Generation of Community Development Practitioners
“First, you should have the passion for it. You will never enjoy community development work if you are just working for money. You should have that sense of purpose,”
“Also, your goal should be to contribute to nation-building, social development and to influence the government by guiding them in making decisions that will eventually help their constituents,” Tats said.
“As a community development worker, you must have the skills. You need to be practical and innovative — you have to think of new things and concepts, and better ways of doing things,”
“And learn to adjust to the community because improving the community is not an overnight process,”
“For the new generation workers — understand, appreciate and live the life of a worker that would be valued by the people you serve,”
“You have to understand that the main purpose for the organization’s existence is the Founders’ vision. So you have to be connected to it. Your goals need to be aligned with their vision and mission,”
To the People Who Matter
“To RAFI, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to work and to be part of the success of the organization. Thank you also because through this job, I have been able to provide for my family,”
“But more than that is the opportunity to be able to work with the less privileged, that is the much bigger reason why I stayed,” Tats shared.
“And the people — Sir Bobby and DBC – who have provided me with guidance and source of inspiration, thank you very much,”
“I remember what Sir Bobby once said that encouraged me to be a good worker — ‘Opportunity to work with the community must be treasured.’ — this I will never forget,”
“You also have to know how the Founders started the organization, and how they helped people. That should be in the DNA of every RAFInian,”
“I truly admire the Aboitiz family. Yes, they are in business, but they have the heart to serve people in need,” Tats shared.
“Learn to appreciate the sacrifices of people around you and value them for their contribution. And with this, I can say that I am truly happy #IAMRAFI!”
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