Having lived in Hong Kong for over 23 years, Arianne feels a strong love for this city and is determined to protect it from regressive and anti-diversity rhetoric. She believes the solution for greater racial integration can be achieved most effectively by educating and sensitizing people from a young age.

As a kindergarten teacher of Filipino descent with more than 14 years of experience, Arianne has seen first-hand the power of perseverance and positivity in changing the perceptions of people who might otherwise judge her based on their stereotypes of her ethnicity. Arianne is also a team leader of the ethnic minority concern group Voices of Diversity which, often in collaboration with Hong Kong Unison, campaigns for policy changes such as equal access to public services, expanding ethnic minority students’ post-secondary options in education, and more. For the past three years, she has actively engaged with legislators, civil society organizations, and public figures to champion causes relevant to ethnic minorities, especially on issues of racial harmony and education. Arianne is among the first to take initiative to contribute to programs aimed at helping disadvantaged communities; whether it be organising a vigil that raised over $100,000 for the Nepal earthquake with Hands for Nepal, fundraising campaigns for the welfare of Syrian refugees with True Colors of Hong Kong, or dinners and other events for the city’s homeless individuals with Minority Initiative Hong Kong. In her spare time, Arianne loves reading fantasy books, baking delicious desserts, and spending time with her family.

In Arianne’s Words: 

“With everything that is happening with the world, I would like to help Hong Kong be a leading light for positive change in this racially segregated world.”