RACHEL BABY ARENAS is a young, accomplished, hardworking and emerging leader from Pangasinan. Very approachable, she has been involved in helping others through the Padre Pio Lend-a-Hand Foundation of her famous mother, Filipino philanthropist, Baby Jimenez of Malasiqui, Pangasinan. She has also a keen eye for business because of her father’s influence--equally famous, the late Ramon Lopez Arenas.
Born in Manila, Rachel grew up frequently spending summers in the Pangasinan town of Nancapian where they own a farm. She continually savors the famous Pangasinan products and dishes: mangoes, Calasiao puto, dried fishes and squid; pinakbet and bangus. Her maternal grandparents belong to the Jimenez, Calimlim-Reyna and Arenas families of Pangasinan.
God-fearing, independent and professionally accomplished, Rachel is a product of the De La Salle University where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree major in Political Science and minor in Japan Studies. She likewise studied Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at the Institute of Politics, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. In 2003, she completed her Global Master of Arts Program from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.
A media personality and a writer, Rachel has been exposed to non-governmental work as Director for Special Projects of Father Pio Lend a Hand Foundation. Rachel would organize world-class benefit concerts, often bringing in renowned international artists. Proceeds of these well-received performances always go to advocacies close to her heart, particularly those of health, education, and livelihood.
Despite her youth, Rachel has worked in various positions of responsibility in government from being Technical Assistant to the Presidential Spokesperson (1998-2001) to heading the Public Affairs Department of the Office of the Vice President (2001-2003).
She was formerly a senior official of the National Development Company and the Business Development Manager of the Maritime Leasing Corporation.