Rachel Holazo was born in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur during World War II, a village where the toes of the great Mt. Apo tickle the sea. Her inborn fears, sense of escapism and flight from the trauma of war would find expression in her artworks later in life. She took formal studies in fine arts at UP Diliman in the 60s and pursued intensive painting studies under Robert Brackman at the Art Students League of New York in the late 60s. After her League studies, she joined group exhibitions in New York City and New Jersey area. She first held solo exhibition in 1973 at the Atlantic City Art Center in New Jersey. Returning home to the Philippines she had solo exhibitions in 1978 and 1982 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati, 1979 Hidalgo Gallery, 1980 USIS Davao City, 1987 her famed bougainvillea series Blooming of Davao, Davao City and 1999 Peak at Sunrise, Davao City. She joined several group exhibitions over the years. The most recent one is at the Metropolitan Mueum of Manila, Kulay og Kalinaw sa Mindanao (art and Peace in Mindanao), Nov 15, 2007 – February 2, 2008.

Rachel Holazo is also well known for her portraits. Some of the prominent people she has painted are Mr. & Mrs. Sixto L. Orosa, Sr., Mr. Danding Cojuangco, Fmr. Press. Fidel Ramos, Sen. Leticia Shahani, ADB Pres. Masao Fujioka, Mr. Irving Ackerman, Mrs. Estrella Ackerman, and the family of Mr. Fico and Jeanne Odio of Costa Rica.

She taught painting, art criticism at the Ford Academy of the Arts in the 80s. She formed the Davao Regional Artists Workshop in 1989 for very promising, talented Dabawenyo students. Rachel found home in Davao City and lived with her daughter Xandra Marfori in a village by the sea with the view of Mt. Apo.

Rachel Holazo entered the great beyond on December 1, 2008.