Rudolfo A. Fernandez, Sr.
was born in Sibonga, Cebu on July 26, 1927 to a prominent clan of landowners.
His father, Mateo Fernandez, was a local police constable and his mother, Magdalena Austria, was a housewife.
During his grade school years, Rudy was bright and became active in debates and oratorical contests.
During World War II (1945–1947), the young Fernandez, still in his teens, made use of his expertise in the English language and became the local messenger and interpreter between the American troops and the guerillas who were fighting against the Japanese Occupational forces.
Fernandez dreamed of becoming a boxer and left his hometown to join a carnival in the hope of becoming one.
He was found and brought home by his father, Mateo, who implored him to finish his studies since it was where he excelled.
Also while in his teens, Fernandez joined his older brother Vitaliano Fernandez, a prominent Civil Engineer in Cebu City, to continue his tertiary education at the University of the Visayas.
He left the university and migrated to Davao City, Southern Philippines to be with his other brother Ramon Fernandez, Sr.
and worked in his stevedoring business to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer.

He studied law at the International Harvardian University (IHU) in Davao City where he met his soon-to-be wife, Antonia Valenton Militante, the local campus belle at that same university and was in her senior year in high school.
Fernandez soon became the president of their University's debate team and further improved his skill in speech and argumentation.
This flair for discourse in the young Fernandez would be very instrumental in his becoming a skilled Labor organizer.
The young Fernandez and Antonia were frequently seen in local clubs and parties and were always the center of these gatherings.
Fernandez together with his wit and charm, was also known to be an exceptional dancer.
He eventually married Antonia on November 10, 1951.
The couple had eleven children named: Matthew, Rodolfo, Jr., Ruby Carmen, Ivan, Hope, Faith, Charity, Strauss, Pearl, Ruth and Rodolfo, III.
He became a court stenographer of the local circuit court.
His apprenticeship in the Labor movement was honed in the defunct Mindanao Congress of Labor as a labor organizer, then he joined the Philippine Labor Express as a columnist, and also became a radio reporter.
Because of his growing family, he soon had to quit college.
Fernandez and his wife Antonia separated in 1968.
Later, he had two more children, Dean and Lynn, with his common-law wife, Vivian Alvar.
Fernandez also became the secretary of then-Congressman Ismael Veloso (NP).
Despite his serious years as secretary of Congressman Veloso, Fernandez never lost his devil-may-care attitude.
He kept on attending club parties and went on to join club dance showdowns and charmed everyone.
It was at this time in his life that Fernandez met and frequently partnered with Nida Blanca, one of Manila's most beautiful women and the queen of the city's club dance showdowns.
 However, Fernandez’ stint in the Mindanao Congress of Labor urged him to leave Manila and continued to pique his interest in the Labor Movement.
Rudolfo A. Fernandez, Sr. was born in Sibonga, Cebu on July 26, 1927 to a prominent clan of landowners. His father, Mateo Fernandez, was a local police constable and his mother, Magdalena Austria, was a housewife. During his grade school years, Rudy was bright and became active in debates and oratorical contests. During World War II (1945–1947), the young Fernandez, still in his teens, made use of his expertise in the English language and became the local messenger and interpreter between the American troops and the guerillas who were fighting against the Japanese Occupational forces. Fernandez dreamed of becoming a boxer and left his hometown to join a carnival in the hope of becoming one. He was found and brought home by his father, Mateo, who implored him to finish his studies since it was where he excelled. Also while in his teens, Fernandez joined his older brother Vitaliano Fernandez, a prominent Civil Engineer in Cebu City, to continue his tertiary education at the University of the Visayas. He left the university and migrated to Davao City, Southern Philippines to be with his other brother Ramon Fernandez, Sr. and worked in his stevedoring business to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer. 
He studied law at the International Harvardian University (IHU) in Davao City where he met his soon-to-be wife, Antonia Valenton Militante, the local campus belle at that same university and was in her senior year in high school. Fernandez soon became the president of their University's debate team and further improved his skill in speech and argumentation. This flair for discourse in the young Fernandez would be very instrumental in his becoming a skilled Labor organizer. The young Fernandez and Antonia were frequently seen in local clubs and parties and were always the center of these gatherings. Fernandez together with his wit and charm, was also known to be an exceptional dancer. He eventually married Antonia on November 10, 1951. The couple had eleven children named: Matthew, Rodolfo, Jr., Ruby Carmen, Ivan, Hope, Faith, Charity, Strauss, Pearl, Ruth and Rodolfo, III. He became a court stenographer of the local circuit court. His apprenticeship in the Labor movement was honed in the defunct Mindanao Congress of Labor as a labor organizer, then he joined the Philippine Labor Express as a columnist, and also became a radio reporter. Because of his growing family, he soon had to quit college. Fernandez and his wife Antonia separated in 1968. Later, he had two more children, Dean and Lynn, with his common-law wife, Vivian Alvar. Fernandez also became the secretary of then-Congressman Ismael Veloso (NP). Despite his serious years as secretary of Congressman Veloso, Fernandez never lost his devil-may-care attitude. He kept on attending club parties and went on to join club dance showdowns and charmed everyone. It was at this time in his life that Fernandez met and frequently partnered with Nida Blanca, one of Manila's most beautiful women and the queen of the city's club dance showdowns.  However, Fernandez’ stint in the Mindanao Congress of Labor urged him to leave Manila and continued to pique his interest in the Labor Movement.
Rudy Fernandez (labor leader)