Selected by Emmanuel Pahud for the Classeek Ambassador Programme, he has performed in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kobe Bunka Hall, and Tokyo’s Hamarikyu Asahi Hall.
Born in Ibiza to Filipino parents, Rafael trained in Barcelona with Prof. Vicens Prats and later at the Musikhochschule in Munich with Prof. Andrea Lieberknecht. He has worked with top orchestras including the Berliner Philharmoniker, NDR Elbphilharmonie, and Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and has appeared as a soloist with the Münchner Kammerorchester, Odense Symphony, and Ensemble Resonanz.
In September 2025, he begins a new chapter as Principal Flute of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, resident at Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík.
A recipient of awards from Villa Musica, Yamaha Europe, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Rafael was honored with the 2023 Ani ng Dangal award by the Philippines’ National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Guided by his multicultural roots, Rafael sees music as a space for dialogue between cultures and art forms. His performances often weave together elements of dance, theater, and storytelling—celebrating diversity and making music accessible to all.
