Before WordCamp Philippines 2026 began, one of the things that made me nervous was meeting my fellow organizers in person.
I had already seen their names in our group chats and attended online meetings with them. Some were familiar because I had heard about their work in the WordPress community, but I had never really spoken to many of them outside our event preparations.
For some reason, I had convinced myself that they might be scary or intimidating.
As an introvert, I tend to observe people first. I wait for someone else to start a conversation, and I sometimes overthink what to say. Meeting an entire organizing team, especially people who had been active in the community longer than I had, felt overwhelming.
But then I met them one by one.
The people I was nervous about meeting turned out to be warm, funny, helpful, and easy to be around.
With every conversation, shared meal, quick joke, and organizing task, I slowly became more comfortable. The names and profile photos I had only seen online became real people with their own personalities, stories, and funny moments.
I also had the chance to meet more people from Cebu, which made the experience even more special. It was great to connect with people from my own city through a community that brought all of us together in Iloilo.
Eventually, I stopped feeling like I needed to be careful with everything I said or did. I could laugh with them, ask questions, admit when I was unsure, and simply be myself.
That was one of the best parts of the entire experience.
WordCamp was not only about completing our responsibilities or making sure everything went according to plan. It was also about the relationships we formed while working toward the same goal.
Being part of the organizing team gave me a different perspective.
I realized that I was probably not the only person who felt nervous.
Some attendees may have arrived without knowing anyone. Volunteers, sponsors, and speakers may also have felt unsure about approaching unfamiliar faces. I had even encouraged a few international speakers to apply, and after they were accepted, I especially wanted them to feel welcome while visiting the Philippines.
There might be people who want to connect but are scared to make the first move, just like me.
That realization reminded me that being an organizer meant more than working behind the scenes. We were also responsible for helping people feel welcome.
Even if it meant setting aside my introverted tendencies for a while, I needed to smile, say hello, start conversations, answer questions, and make space for others to feel at ease.
Sometimes, a simple greeting can make someone feel less alone in a room full of strangers.
Approaching people first still does not come naturally to me. I sometimes wonder whether I am interrupting them, whether they want to talk, or whether I will say something awkward.
But WordCamp taught me that I do not always have to wait for someone else.
I can be the person who says hello first.
I can welcome an attendee who looks unsure about where to go. I can check on a volunteer who may be feeling overwhelmed. I can introduce myself to a sponsor, speaker, or fellow organizer I have not met before.
I may still feel nervous while doing it, but courage does not always mean feeling confident. Sometimes, it simply means taking the first step even when you feel uncomfortable.
Of course, not everything went perfectly.
I may have had a few, or perhaps more than a few 😂 embarrassing moments. There were times when I said the wrong thing, looked confused, became awkward, or did something I later replayed in my head. I really did, but I have no regrets.
I loved every moment of the experience.
The imperfect moments made it real. They became part of the stories we could laugh about afterward. They reminded me that I did not have to be perfect to belong there.
I only needed to be present, help where I could, and enjoy the experience with the people around me.
For me, WordCamp Philippines 2026 was more than a conference about WordPress.
It was an experience that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. It allowed me to work with people I once felt intimidated by, meet more people from Cebu, and welcome attendees, volunteers, speakers, and sponsors who may have been just as nervous as I was.
I arrived worried about whether I would feel comfortable around everyone.
I left feeling grateful that I had the chance to know them.
Most of all, I hope everyone felt the warmth of the WordCamp community. I hope they felt welcomed and comfortable enough to start a conversation, even if they came to the event feeling shy or uncertain.
Because behind the talks, booths, schedules, and responsibilities, WordCamp is really about people.
And sometimes, a meaningful connection begins with one person finding the courage to say hello.
