What if the secret to building a thriving Web3 community wasn’t hype, but heart, patience, and people who actually believe in the mission?

Web3 can feel like a blur of buzzwords and quick wins, but under the surface, some communities are choosing a slower, more deliberate path. They are focused not on attention, but on alignment, sustainability, and people.

Davao DeFi Community (DDC) is one of those communities. It did not come out of nowhere. It did not explode overnight. It started with alignment. With shared values. With figuring out how people can work together toward a common goal and why they should care in the first place.

In an interview with The Block and Beyond, Arthur Agullana, the co-founder of DDC, talked about the challenges of forming a core team, the importance of shared values, laid down by their main founder, Rubz Comms, and how real leadership begins with listening before leading.

Behind that effort is someone who is also focused on who is building and not just what they are building.

Why People Come First in Web3 Communities

When Arthur Agullana stepped into a leadership role in 2022 as co-founder of the Davao DeFi Community, he was not handed a ready-made team or a roadmap. Instead, he took on the challenge to help build the team from scratch, align people who think differently, and create systems that would actually help scale the community.

It was not smooth sailing.

“One of the important things when you are starting a team is the alignment of what you believe in.”

The early days of building the Davao DeFi Community core team were marked by trial and error. The team fluctuated in size, from five to four to eight and eventually back to four. But that was not a failure. It was just part of the process.

Instead of trying to scale quickly, he focused on getting the foundation right.

“Those who are really contributing to the community or to the organization are those who have the same values and understanding of what the community is.”

This emphasis on internal alignment became the core strategy. It was not just about adding numbers, it was about growing with purpose. The four remaining members of the DDC core team may be few, but they are committed. That is what matters to Arthur.

Leadership That Listens, Builds, and Believes

Leadership in a decentralized space is not about giving orders. It is about guiding people with clarity and care. For Arthur, leadership starts with commitment, something that must come from deep belief.

“One of the traits that a leader should have is the commitment for what he’s doing. This commitment is rooted on what he believes.”

He points to his co-founder Rubz Comms as an example. Someone who not only believes in Web3 but continually pushes the team to see its potential. That drive, rooted in purpose, becomes contagious. But Arthur also highlights something that is often missing in fast-moving Web3 projects: empathy.

“Being a person who is visionary and at the same time having the care for his members is a necessary one for a leader to grow the community.”

It is this blend of vision and care that defines his leadership. He is not just managing tasks. He is understanding people, identifying their strengths, and helping them grow with the organization. Every role matters. And every team member, regardless of their experience, is treated as an equal contributor.

Systems Over Shortcuts

Once alignment was in place, Arthur turned his focus to building systems. Not everything could be done by the core team. To scale, they needed processes. That meant identifying what each member was good at, assigning tasks accordingly, and making sure responsibilities were shared without hierarchy.

He began testing ways to transition responsibilities to other groups, like the events leads and committee members, so that the core team could focus on growth strategy rather than day-to-day logistics. It was not just about decentralization for the sake of it. It was about sustainability.

There is no rush. Arthur understands that if you want a community to last, you have to build slowly and intentionally. He continues to evaluate what works and what does not, while being transparent with his team every step of the way.

Scaling the Right Way

One of the biggest challenges facing Davao DeFi Community today is scaling. Not in terms of tech or tools, but in people. Arthur describes the issue plainly. They have members, but not all are truly committed.

The solution is not to spam invites, it is to develop a system where enthusiasm can be passed down, slowly but surely. From the core team, to the events leads, to the wider member base.

That means building a culture. One where people do not just attend events. They feel like they belong.

And while onboarding is important, Arthur also believes in maintaining quality. He is especially aware that two of the four current core members are still new to both the industry and community building. So part of his role is making sure everyone grows together instead of burning out early.

Managing Vision with Realism

In many ways, Arthur’s approach is a mix of idealism and realism. When asked to rate Davao’s Web3 adoption from 1 to 10, he said 6. Not bad, but not where it needs to be.

Part of the reason, he says, is the absence of a clear roadmap for those attending meetups and events. People show up, but they do not always know what is next. Arthur sees that as an opportunity to create more structured, intentional pathways from awareness to adoption.

Arthur did not come into Web3 with all the answers. He came with questions, commitment, and the humility to learn.

He’s learned from jumping into hype. Now, he helps build the Davao DeFi Community with clarity. No shortcuts. No false promises. Instead, he shows up, listens, and builds. One person at a time.