"I say dosa, you say caldereta!": Jeffrey and Arianne


By PANGYAO_Official on 21st Feb 2023

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Through life, love, and a shared passion for change, Arianne and Jeffrey are breaking cultural stereotypes and uplifting the ethnic minority community in the process, while keeping their marriage and dreams for each other at the centre of their lives

 

Being in the public eye is never easy. Every mistake you make, every misstep is up for scrutiny. Likewise, every success and triumph is shared, celebrated, and looked upon for inspiration. On top of all this, trying to maintain a loving marriage, while still upholding one’s own sense of individuality is, to say the least, a challenge.

 

Arianne and Jeffrey know a thing or two about being there for each other: as a rock for support, as a stick for stability, and as a team – a united front. “We’re breaking the stereotypes of both of our cultures,” says Jeffrey.

 

When you first meet Arianne, it feels like you are meeting an old friend. Her welcoming smile and bright eyes put you at ease. Arianne Mae Ciokon Baldesio, a Filipino-Hong Konger, is a teacher working with young children.

 

Describing her work as “full of joy”, Arianne is clearly passionate about laying the foundations for her students during these all-important formative years. “During COVID, when we had to switch to online learning, I had to make sure the children were still involved,” she shares. “I would dress up, sing songs, and make sure that the kids were fully engaged in the learning process.”

 

While she already holds a Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE), for Arianne, the learning never stops. Her love of teaching continually motivates her to learn; she is currently studying for a Bachelor of Education for Early Childhood Education.

 

Jeffrey Andrews is the General Manager at the Christian Action Centre for Refugees. He has always been open about his upbringing and the challenges he faced growing up as a Hong Konger of Indian heritage: “When I was young, I had no direction. I got mixed up with a bad crowd and got into trouble with the law,” he recalls.

 

That was the wake-up call he needed. “After I was arrested, I had time to think while I sat in that cell. I knew I wanted to do better for my family and for the community,” he adds. Thus began his journey to become the first registered ethnic minority social worker here in the city.

 

To say that Jeffrey lives a public life is an understatement. From a speech in front of the United Nations to guiding local tourists through Chungking Mansions, from being recognised as one of Manchester United’s global heroes to addressing his clients at the Centre for Refugees, he is never far from the action. A leading voice in the migrant community, he is often tapped to participate in talks and speeches on topics related to ethnic minorities or refugees.

Arianne first met Jeffrey on a football field in Victoria Park in 2012. “I saw him playing and thought to myself, ‘he’s so good!’,” she recollects. “I could see he was a very passionate player, parang medyo may yabang pa siya ng konti,”(he even had a little bit of arrogance about him), she says with a teasing laugh. Jeffrey recalls of that first time they met: “I thought she was cute and I couldn’t stop thinking about her. So, I searched and found her on Facebook”.

 

I saw him playing and thought to myself, ‘he’s so good!’ I could see he was a very passionate player, parang medyo may yabang pa siya ng konti (he even had a little bit of arrogance about him)

-  Arianne, teasing Jeffrey about their first meeting in Victoria Park when Jeffrey was playing football

 

They clicked. Exploring their cultural differences only brought them closer together, and to this day, remains one of their most powerful tools in uniting the ethnic minority community.

 

This shared passion for helping others led to them starting The Minority Initiative HK in 2017, a social group formed alongside a group of ethnic minorities who wanted to make a genuine and positive impact on society.

 

Independent from NGOs, political parties, religious organisations, or individual influence, The Minority Initiative HK is firmly, “for the people, by the people”. The group is involved in food distribution to the homeless and street cleaners, beach clean-ups, fundraising for various Hong Kong shelters and charities, friendly football matches, music lessons, hosting cross-cultural get-togethers, community impact events, and many more.

 

In their partnership – both in life and through their social work – Jeffrey is the heart, while Arianne is the brain; they both give soul and breathe life into whatever they focus on.

 

After I was arrested, I had time to think while I sat in that cell. I knew I wanted to do better for my family and for the community

- Jeffrey, on his path to becoming Hong Kong’s first ethnic minority social worker

 

Arianne is very organised and detail-oriented. She thinks about the practical matters: “Where should they line up? Do we need name tags? Who do we contact to ask permission? Anything we’re missing? I like putting things in order, it makes for efficiency,” Arianne says. She makes sure the important elements are covered, ensuring everything runs smoothly like a well-oiled machine.

 

Jeffrey thinks with his emotions. His actions are directed by what help he can offer, by what steps he can take to improve lives. “Even after work, I am always thinking about my clients and friends. I take phone calls in the early hours of the morning if anyone needs my help. The community is also my family,” he shares.

 

Jeffrey’s long-held desire is to uplift the ethnic minority community and break away from negative stereotypes, showing Hong Kong the beauty and benefit of an inclusive and diverse society. It is a grand and honourable vision, though it sometimes takes him down an uncertain path.

 

“I am scared that one day something will happen to Jeff, as his work is not only a job for him,” Arianne says. “I have often told him not to bring his work baggage home as it affects the time we spend together,” she adds. But Jeffrey admits himself this is easier said than done; even after leaving the office, after work calls can run the gamut from arranging dinner and social events to emergency client care.

 

Asked how they would spend an ideal day together, Jeffrey offers, “I do need to spend more time doing things alone with Arianne. Not just work things. We went cycling a couple of weeks ago, just the two of us. That was a really nice day – we should make time to do more of that.” Arianne replies, “I really just want to spend time with Jeff, without our phones, and not worrying about each other’s work. Maybe visit the Philippines together, relax and eat.”

 

“Yes!” says Jeffrey enthusiastically. “My favourite Filipino dish is caldereta!”

 

“My favourite Indian dish has got to be dosa!” answers Arianne.

 

For Arianne and Jeffrey, their difference in personalities is their strength. They complement each other and push each other every day to be better.

 

“My dream for Arianne is for her have her own place to teach children. She is amazing with kids and does things that are above and beyond for them. She has great ideas and I’m sure she will be happy running her own educational centre that is open to all,” says Jeffrey.

 

In reply, Arianne shares her dream for Jeffrey, “I want him to be a father someday. Due to a lot of circumstances in our life at this moment, this is not ideal for us just yet. But someday. I know he will be a good father because he has a lot of love in his heart to give”.