Reese Fernandez
What qualities of your personality are most reflected in your project? Risk-taking, optimistic, dynamic, and Eco-Ethically innovative.
What do you admire most in other people? I admire people who are passionate and with a strong sense of purpose. People who live their lives for a higher purpose are the ones who shake the world and make things happen.
What is your idea of happiness? When and where are you most happy? Happiness for me is being at peace with what you do. I am most happy when I take time to be quiet and explore nature. These are the moments when I get to truly listen to myself and feel the peacefulness inside which comes from the knowledge that the vocation that I chose and the advocacies and values I live for, are intrinsically connected.
What is your most treasured possession? I absolutely love my Maria Rosa RIIR by Aranaz bag not only because it is beautiful and functional but also because it represents the hands of empowered women who made it.
What is your favorite quote or motto? This quote got me through so many obstacles in life: "One day, you will look back and realize why things worked out the way they did". It also motivates me to give each challenge my best shot, trusting that the future will be worth everything as long as I don't give up on the current challenge.
What 3 words describe the way you feel when you see someone positively affected by the work you are doing as a Young Laureate? Challenged. Inspired. Motivated.
What activities/hobbies do you like to do in your free time? During weekends and holidays, I love watching movies and reading up on sustainable design. I also love adventure and trying out things that I have never tried before. The world is amazing!
What is the most important lesson that someone has taught you? Who taught you this lesson? How old were you? I have so many role models and I try to learn from each person I encounter. Fr. Ben Nebres, S.J. (President of Ateneo de Manila University) and Tony Meloto (former Executive Director of Gawad Kalinga, and a Ramon Magsaysay Award Recipient). They inspired me, and my team with their involvement in Gawad Kalinga Ateneo (a nation-building movement in the Philippines), to never give up on our country. All Three have experienced different revolts and revolutions in the country and they still chose to believe that the Philippines has hope and that we can all work together and bring out the best in each other.
Other than being selected to be a 2010 Young Laureate, what accomplishment are you most proud of? I believe that the best accomplishment we had so far is the conceptualization and implementation of our Quality of Life Program. The Quality of Life Program allows our members to save money as they produce products. They receive fair wages and at the same time get the opportunity to save. While the Quality of Life Program is still in its very early stages, we are very optimistic that we are on to cracking a new system that could enhance and deepen our positive social impact.
Who are your favorite real life heroes/heroines? The lives of Maya Angelou, Mother Teresa, Anita Roddick, my Mom, Dad, and my Rags2Riches team and community members, inspired me and continue to inspire me. What makes them real life heroes or heroines are not the big things they accomplish for themselves, but the inspiration they give others to move into action as well. The ripple effect of positive change that starts (and not ends) with a single individual is what could change the world. My personal unconventional hero is my brother, Aram Fernandez. I admire him so much for his strength. He made all of our challenges a lot lighter to bear because of his positivity and humor.
Do you like to listen to any music while you work? If yes, who are your favorite artists? Yes! I love a lot of our local artists including Julianne, Rico Blanco, Project Fusion, and the Out of Body Special. I also listen to India Arie songs because they are very positive and uplifting.
What is the most difficult challenge that you've overcome in the last year? We encounter a lot of challenges in Rags2Riches because we are in a relatively new field. There are lots of things to prove and not a lot of models to follow. I think because we have accepted that the challenges and the risks come with anything new and potentially revolutionary, we treat challenges as regular activities.
Since being selected as a Young Laureate, in what ways has the reach of your project been magnified? The Rolex Young Laureate award has been instrumental in sharing the advocacy of Rags2Riches and allowing more people to engage and participate. We have received so many inquiries on sales and volunteer opportunities from all over the world! It is good to know that as we grow and scale up, there will be people from all around the world who will be supporting us.
Project Goal
Establish an innovation centre in order to assist impoverished women to earn a decent wage by creating ‘eco-ethical, elegant’ products.
Project locationPhilippines
CategoryEnvironment
NationalityFilipino
Born1985
reese.fernandez@gmail.com