Illac Diaz: Using technology to ignite social change

IMAGINE HAVING TO MANAGE A 400- AND TWO 100-BEDROOM DORMS FOR SEAFARERS IN THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WHILE RAISING FUNDS FOR HOME AND SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS IN RURAL AREAS, AND PROMOTING NEW TOOLS THAT HAVE THE POWER TO EASE THE MANUAL LABOR OF FARMERS AND MULTINATIONALS, YOU'D THINK IT COULD NOT BE DONE. THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT, PERHAPS, ONLY A FICTIONAL SUPERHERO COULD DO, BUT ONE PERSON HAS MASTERED THE CRAFT OF JUGGLING A NUMBER OF BENEVOLENT EFFORTS AND MANAGING TO SUCCEED IN HELPING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY. WITH TECHNOLOGY AS HIS TOOL, 34-YEAR-OLD ILLAC DIAZ PIONEERS A NEW BREED OF FILIPINO SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS WHO COMBINE BUSINESS SAVVY WITH SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. HAVING JUST COMPLETED A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP IN THE SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL STUDIES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT), ILLAC IS INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES THAT PRESENT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND CHANGE SOCIETY FOR THE BETTER. "I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY. HAVING BEEN BLESSED WITH A GOOD LIFE, I REALIZED THAT I OUGHT TO USE MY TALENTS TO HELP BETTER THE LIVES OF OTHERS," SAID ILLAC.

Through all of his initiatives, Illac said that technology has contributed a lot to his success as a social entrepreneur. With the myriad things he does - having to shuttle back and forth from different locations to oversee his projects, managing and storing the various information and data he acquires, and keeping connected with his staff and volunteers - Illac has leaned on technology to keep him afloat despite his hectic schedule. "It's amazing how technology has enabled me to reach out to more people and advocate my cause. I could not have survived without my Windows laptop which contains all the information I need such as my presentations, the photos I took, and all the data I gathered for my projects. I rely on the Internet Explorer to keep me connected to my staff, my family and friends, and to keep me informed about current issues in the country," Illac pointed out.

Because of his passion for innovation and empowerment of others through the use of technology, Illac has been chosen to become one of the Microsoft Windows Icons, a campaign which pools together a group of individuals who have become successful in their own fields by enabling technology to become a vital part of their lives. Microsoft believes in empowering people through technology by providing the right tools that will enable them to realize their full potential, and become more productive individuals. "Illac is the perfect role model of a good citizen who has successfully channeled his passion into action to help enhance other people's way of living. We are very happy that Microsoft technology has become instrumental to him in making a difference. He is reaping the benefits of maximizing the use of technology, along with the many others whom he has helped," shared Chay Saputil, Product Manager for Windows, Microsoft Philippines.

With awards of distinction up on his sleeve such as the 2005 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for social entrepreneurship and The Outstanding Young Persons of the World award this year from the Jaycees International (JCI), the former model/actor is concentrating on implementing projects that effect social change. Among his more popular endeavors are MyShelter Foundation and Pier One Seafarer's Dormitory.

MyShelter Foundation builds low-cost classrooms using the Earthbag System. The said system is a method of construction that uses lots of soil, straw sacks, and barbed wire as its components. The dome shaped structures are said to last for 50 years. From building houses, Illac will be undertaking his Millennium Schools project, wherein the earthbag construction system will be applied to the building of 20 schoolhouses in rural areas. "We have high hopes that our low-cost construction system would address the housing and school building shortage in the country," Illac elucidates as who is the executive director of MyShelter Foundation.

In 2000, fueled by his passion for improving people's lives, Illac founded Pier One Seafarer's Dorm, a temporary housing facility for seafarers, which charges only P100 per stay. Job-matching programs, seminars and temporary jobs are offered to the seafarers staying at the dorm. "I make use of the Internet and my network of contacts both here and outside the country to explore the opportunities available for the people who ask for my help in seeking for jobs. And this is what I do as a social entrepreneur, I help people help themselves." Initially with just 40 bedrooms, Pier One has now expanded to three branches with over 1,500 beds. Having helped over 40,000 seafarers, Pier One has grown to be the largest migrant shelter of its kind in the country today. Aside from these, Illac also has a passion for creating unconventional tools, which could empower people to become more productive. He has been actively promoting the use of cheap automated peanut peelers among farmers, which will save them the manual peanut shelling time and energy.

"My goal as a social entrepreneur is to enact positive changes in people's lives and Microsoft technology has helped me do that even better. The good thing about using technology in my line of work is that its benefits go beyond me, the user, it extends to the vast network of people whose lives I would want to change for the better," he said.

With all his accomplishments and contributions to uplifting the lives of the people and encouraging wide-scale social change, Illac has all the traits that would make him an "everyday hero". PR