Macquarie staff in the community
Jet Ibanez is an application tester for Macquarie's Information Technology Group in Manila. He is actively involved in a variety of ways for Macquarie's local community advisory committee.
I got involved with my chosen charities because…
there are moments that remind me how fortunate I am and allow me to be a source of smiles for others. It gives me joy when an orphaned kid gives you a sweet genuine smile and says thank you or when an elderly woman embraces you and thanks you for spending one Saturday afternoon with her and other elders.
My community needs more…
people who care and share. It's not enough that you feel sorry for others. It would be a lot better if people do something, even in their own little way, to help make other lives a little better.
I can help my community by…
doing my small part to help others and asking my friends to help out too. Sometimes, some people just need a little push to get involved.
If I could fix one problem it would be…
scarcity. I wish that everyone has enough of everything: can you imagine a world like that?
The people who inspire me are…
great leaders of change. Those who take actions to better themselves and the people they serve.
I'm most proud of…
my family and friends. They have given support and understanding to everything that I do. Every decision I made, no matter how bad it turns out, they're always there to cheer me on.
If everyone could just do one thing to make a difference what would it be?
I love the quote from the movie Evan Almighty: "How do we change the world? One single act of random kindness at a time."
Nadia Chiang works as part of the global infrastructure technology services team in Hong Kong. Her volunteering with the Philippines-based charity Gawad Kalinga has inspired her to assist other charities as well.
My day job is…
I currently work for a Division Director based in Hong Kong who manages part of the global infrastructure technology services team. Recently, I have also been coordinating collaborative initiatives for our broader group in Asia.
I got involved with my chosen charities because…
After going down to Bacolod last year to visit the slum villages, my view on life changed. It was a life-changing experience and I became committed to helping better the community I live in, whether in big or small ways.
My community needs more…
I've only started volunteering through the Foundation this year. As I talk to people, it's been a springboard to opening doors into the local community and everyone is always looking for volunteers.
I can help my community by…
committing to helping others through the means and abilities that we have already.
I'd like to volunteer to…
tell people that having a work-life balance encourages appreciation of one's life.
If I could fix one problem it would be…
the ecological environment. What more can be said?
The people who inspire me are…
who are generous and don't know it.
I'm most proud of…
my family who have supported me in every decision that I've made in my life, especially the slum re-building trip I went on.
If everyone could just do one thing to make a difference what would it be?
Take a deep breath and think about what you appreciate in life most. Stressing out doesn't change anything.