Jhic came to Hong Kong from the Philippines as a migrant domestic worker with the aim to help support her family as she was their sole breadwinner. 15 years later, she still believes that Hong Kong is one of the greatest cities in Asia, and that domestic workers are very much a strong part of the engine and heart that keep this city going. A proud member of the LGBTI+ community, Jhic also hopes to make Hong Kong a more accepting city for all individuals regardless of their gender identities or sexual preferences.

Having only one holiday a week hasn’t stopped Jhic from starting Share HK, an online organisation that – often in collaboration with organizations like the Hong Kong Red Cross, Mission for Migrant Workers, and local Filipino initiatives – provides aid to migrant workers in Hong Kong, as well as others who need it in the Philippines. As the Chairperson, Jhic has leveraged the passion of her community to organise fundraisers for natural disasters in the Philippines such as Typhoon Yolanda, refuge centers such as the Bethune House for mistreated foreign domestic workers, as well as for individual Filipino domestic workers within Hong Kong who need financial assistance. 

She also organises a number of activities such as cleanups of hiking trails, beauty pageants for migrant domestic workers and other community development events in Hong Kong. On a personal level, Jhic is constantly finding new ways to help those around her – whether it be collecting money for the treatment of a cancer patient in the Philippines, or volunteering to help people in Hong Kong. She was previously an active member of the Filguys Association Hong Kong, a support group for Filipino migrant workers who identify as lesbians and transgenders. In 2018, Jhic was the co-organiser and host of Migrants Pride, where she promoted migrants rights and helped fight against discrimination and homophobia.

Jhic is a sports enthusiast and is constantly incorporating physical activities into the programmes conducted by Share HK, from Zumba classes to swimming lessons to volleyball games. In her spare time, she likes to attend Share HK events and play the guitar.

In Jhic’s words:

“I don’t want myself, or my community, to be discriminated against. I believe in equality and am always asking why we don’t have it. I want us all to talk more about this, and I will continue to find solutions for the discrimination that migrant domestic workers face.”