In Raffy’s own words, he was just the “unheard of” or “unnoticed”, dark and typical boy in the school corner. But he started to gain a little confidence when his mom enrolled him and his siblings in various forms of arts available at STEFTI- music, dance and visual arts. They were encouraged to join literary programs like verse choir, dramatic play and sports like table tennis and soccer. 

Preparatory Courses 

After finishing elementary in STEFTI, he went off to the Philippine High School for the Arts in Makiling, Laguna, an institution that offers a special curriculum centering on studies for creative and artistic expressions. He chose Music specializing in Violin. Four years later, he enrolled at the University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music taking up Bachelor of Music in Performance, major in Violin.

First Solo Performance

In 2015, he was adjudged a Finalist for Solo Performance in Violin during the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). At his college graduation recital, he played his dream piece- “Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.35 by P.I. Tchaikovsky”, the same piece he played at the NAMCYA.

Major Breakthroughs

While still in college, he had stints with the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) and UST Orchestra (USTO). The MSJO travelled across Europe and Asia winning competitions and performing in music festivals. Here in the Philippines he performed several times on various platforms either with the orchestra, or with his own string ensemble or on his own as a solo performer.

Present Job

When pandemic came, apart from invites to play for some shows or concerts, he decided to focus on teaching violin online to students in all levels – beginner, intermediate, performer, and top-line.            

When asked about how STEFTI had prepared him for what he is now, he has this to say: 

It was at STEFTI where my foundation in music was strongly established. I started with voice and piano lessons under the late Mrs. Perlita A. Abesamis and Ms. Celeste Abesamis alternately from, Prep until 4^th Grade -the year when I started playing the violin. While studying the piano, I joined the STEFTI Choir for the NAMCYA Festival. I engaged in other forms of arts – dance (folk and hip-hop) with Mr. Ramil Suello and Visual Arts with Tito Lino Borgueta. These helped to create the path towards a lifelong journey I travelled in music and the arts.

Looking back at the most compelling aspects in his experience in STEFTI, he shares with fondest memory the fact that he represented the 99% average, ordinary students in school. Despite that, he was able to prove that anyone can become what he wants to be, given all the love and environmental support, one thing STEFTI had accorded him. For him, studying music and other forms of art at a very young age in a very encouraging environment like STEFTI is a compelling reason why every parent should let their children study in this school.

“STEFTI is a fertile ground where every child can bloom into a well-rounded human. You know you’re from STEFTI if you are fully human and fully alive.”