Beauty industry heavy-hitter Ricky Reyes has joined the ranks of retail mogul Henry Sy, telecommunication chief Manual V. Pangilinan, Aboitiz Holding Company chairman Jon Ramon Aboitiz, and Ayala Corporation chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II in that they have all been named as “Heroes of Philanthropy” by Forbes Asia.

Every year, Forbes Magazine chooses 48 leading philanthropists in the Asia-Pacific. The list features four individuals in each of the 12 countries of the region including mining tycoon Andrew Forrest, Indian benefactor Rohini Nilekani, Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan and Chinese property developer Huang Nubo who donated $640,000 to Tibet Unity for scholarships, as well as $100,000 to the United Nations and the families of eight Chinese peacekeepers who died in the Haiti earthquake.

Reyes earned a spot in Forbes’ third annual Philanthropy A-list, alongside Hollywood action star Jackie Chan, NBA star Yao Ming, Metrobank’s George S.K. Ty, SGV founder Washington SyCip, and publisher Sandy Romualdez.

Improving Livelihoods

A celebrity hairstylist whose 44-branch Gandang Ricky Reyes business empire has diversified into education and real estate, Reyes’ inclination to civil work is a by-product of his modest beginnings—back when his mother could not afford to send him to school, he held a job as a salon sweeper to not only pursue his own ambitions but to make a living and support his family.

Reyes’ community work trace back to the early ’80s when he began the program “Isang Gunting Isang Suklay,” which gave free livelihood training to the people of Dasmariñas, Cavite. “We started with giving free haircuts,” says Reyes, “but then I remembered the lesson about teaching people how to fish...”

This mindset eventually led to the foundation of the Ricky Reyes Learning Institute (RRLI) in 1975, where he makes education accessible to youth unable to afford college education. With branches in Cubao, Quiapo, Alabang and San Juan, the vocational school offers a range of courses in hotel and restaurant services, as well as technical courses in cosmetology conducted by TESDA-certified professionals. “I wanted to give others the opportunities I never had,” says Reyes of the reason behind the school’s establishment. “I only finished high school so I know how hard it is. Today, I take pleasure in helping those who want to help themselves.”

Hero of Philanthropy

Indeed, Reyes’ philanthropic efforts has garnered a lot of attention, more so after Forbes acknowledged him for his work on health care and job training for the poor, particularly with his involvement in the Center for Health Improvement and Life Development (CHILD HAUS). A two-storey halfway home for impoverished cancer-stricken children from provinces who seek treatment in Metro Manila hospitals, CHILD HAUS provides holistic healing services that include play therapy, arts and crafts, music and dance, and storytelling. The 220-bed home also offers free livelihood training such as sewing, basic haircutting and styling for the parents/guardians of the children. In its six years of operation, CHILD HAUS has assisted over 6,000 children needing support.

Reyes also gained merit for his work with “Kain na Juan,” a feeding program he set up by mobilizing his friends and staff when Typhoon Ketsana hit the country late last year. His team’s efforts successfully provided 50,000 typhoon victims with food. Among those who supported his cause were Ayala Foundation, Makati Business Club, Rotary Club of Salcedo Makati, the Fersal Group of Hotels, and Women in Travel.

“I am most humbled to be included in that list,” says Reyes. “I am simply giving back the blessings God has given me; not just (with regard to) material things but also the talents and skills I’ve worked on over the years.” Today, the beauty entrepreneur prides himself for having been able to create micro-enterprises in barangays where the trainees—mostly out-of-school youth and unemployed women—now run their own salons.