Rachel Arenas: Challenge accepted
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MANILA, Philippines - In a hospital ward filled with wounded soldiers, Rachel Arenas, barely a teenager then, learned her first lesson in helping others so they could help themselves. Her mother, Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, brought her to the hospital and there, Rachel witnessed how her philanthropic mother cared for the soldiers whose limbs were amputated.
“Mom’s big heart opened my mind. I also need to help,” says Rachel, now chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
At the MTRCB, Rachel brought the “matalino at mapanuring panonood” program of the institution to barangay level. “We just arrived from Batanes where we conducted lectures in the barrios about the intelligent and discerning ways parents can guide their children in watching shows on TV,” she says.
“I am lenient at the MTRCB as long as we all do our job properly. It’s a collegial body composed of a chairman, vice chairman and 30 board members. I only vote to break a tie,” says Rachel, who admits that she doesn’t act like an all-knowing chairman because “I am not an industry insider.” But she accepted the challenge, because “it’s an honor,” when President Duterte offered her the position. She studied hard to fully grasp her mandate as MTRCB chief.
She is now in close coordination with Babyruth Villarama-Gutierrez, director of the award-winning Sunday Beauty Queen, because “we want to come up with a film that will humanize the detainees and the officers at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.”
She also wants to institute change at the MTRCB by creating a charity arm in the organization.
Being charitable is close to Rachel’s heart. She was congresswoman of the third district of Pangasinan for two terms. She was set to run unopposed for her third term in 2013 but gave way to her mother. Rachel is also an elected governor of the Philippine Red Cross, serving the board for three years now.
“One of the happiest times of my life is when I am on my way to Pangasinan. Even if it’s my mom who is the representative of the district now, I still go home every weekend to Malasiqui (a town in Pangasinan where her family has a farm). Being in Malasiqui means being able to be with the people of the district again,” Rachel says.
She still enjoys visiting the 304 barangays of the district. “I have developed real friendships with the people, especially with the barangay captains. They have my number and they have an open line with me. Many times, I get very involved even with their personal lives,” she says, adding that “I was also exposed to kindness and generosity by my grandmother, Remedios Bosch Jimenez, a Papal awardee.”
Rachel has learned from her constituents the true meaning of “word of honor.” “They will hold on to my word and I cannot just give them empty promises. Every time I interact with them, I learn from them,” says Rachel, who took up Political Science in De La Salle University before studying Negotiation in Dispute Resolution at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard. She finished her Global Master of Arts in Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
Of late, when she visits barangays, Rachel is approached by many to thank her for making a difference in their lives. These are the students Rachel helped to finish college. They are now nurses, teachers, engineers, fast-food managers. Their gratitude is enough to melt Rachel’s heart — and to continue to help others so they can help themselves.
Much has been given to Rachel in life. She knows that much is also expected of her. She will deliver — as expected.
Photography by Rita Marie • Creative direction by Luis Espiritu Jr. • Makeup by Baba Parma • Hairstyling by RONNIE TUMAMAK • Fashion styling by Bang Martinez • Jewelry by Miladay Jewels • Piña top and printed caftan both by Tina Lirag and embroidered jeans by Filip+Inna • Shot on location at the Presidential Suite of Conrad Manila