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Rafael Cabarles was only 12 years old when he formally entered the world of dance through the scholarship program in Quezon City. Growing up, he enjoyed watching the Streetboys on TV and emulated their powerful break-dance moves at home. “Gusto ko na noon pang sumayaw,” he recalls ”Iyong kapitbahay ko ang nagkwento sa akin tungkol dito. Nag-audition ako. Sa sumunod na araw nakuha ako.”(I’ve always wanted to dance ever since I was a kid .My neighbor was the one who told me about this place. I auditioned, and the next day I got in.”) His father died when Rafael was eight years old. Rafael was the fifth of seven children whom his mother had to support on her own.
QCPADFI Artistic Director, Luther Perez, recalls those early days when Rafael was new student under his wing. “I remember noon, may narinig akong umiiyak sa dressing room. Tinatanong ko iyong ibang bata kung ano ang nangyari si Rafael daw. Hindi pa raw kumakain iyong bata. Noong umpisa, he would have only one meal per day.” (“I remember before, I’d hear someone crying in the dressing room. I asked the other children what happened. They said it was Rafael. He hadn’t eaten yet. At that time, he would have only one meal per day.”)
Rafael’s early dedication to his newfound craft has become something of a legend among the young scholars of QCPADFI. Stories are told that back in those days, he would walk all the way from his home that was quite a distance to the Amoranto Sports Complex-just to save the 10-peso allowance intended for his fare.
“Dati, nilalakad ko mula Diliman papunta rito” Rafael conforms. “One and a half hours iyong lakad one way, sa tatlong oras akong naglalakad para ma-save iyong allowance pang-pamasahe. Kasama ko dati iyong kapatid ko. Sabay kami noon. O kaya ikakalong ko siya sa dyip. After five days,makakaipon ako ng P 50.” (Before, I walk from Diliman all the way here. One way took me one and a half hours, so it took three hours to walk back and forth. I did this to save the transportation allowance. My brother used to come with me and we’d walk together. Or he’d be on my lap in the jeepney. After five days, I got to save P50.”)
For about six months, the young Rafael went through this painstaking sacrifice of walking the distance just to dance. When it proved much too difficult to sustain, Rafael dropped this routine and still managed to attend his dance classes. But soon he encountered another challenge. Since his mother worked receiving only a meager income, Rafael was no longer sure he could afford to continue his schooling.
Luckily, he found more than dance mentors in “Sir Luther and Sir Tony” at Amoranto. “Para ko na rin silang mga magulang,” shares Rafael. “Sila iyong nagsuporta sa akin sa high school , sa pag-aaral ko. Sabi nila, hanggat sa paglaki mo kaming bahala sa iyo. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa kanila.” (“They’re like my parents. They were the ones who supported me through high school. They told me that until I grew up, they’d take care of me. That’s why I’m deeply grateful to them.”)
With financial worries now off his back, Rafael was free to focus on dance. “Iyong first show ko sa City Hall,” he recalls. “Fourteen years old ako noon. Tapos kung saan-saan na kami pumunta. Tiyaga lang.” (“My first show was at City Hall. I was 14 years old then. Since we’ve gone to different places, it’s just a matter of hard work.”) This certified old timer has indeed gone places, having joined all the tours abroad that the dance scholars have been to.
“Dito siya lumaki at nagbinata. (“He spent his childhood and teenage years here),” Luther remarks about Rafael, who’s now 26 years old. Rafael had lost his mother when he turned 20, and Luther proudly shares that Rafael is now the family breadwinner supporting two siblings. “Now he’s also trained to teach,” Luther adds. “Maybe in two years we’ll teach him to do choreography. I myself have been through a lot in life. Pero ako, saludo ako kay Rafael.” (“I deeply admire Rafael.”)
This dance scholar has spread his wings indeed, having flown far from the hardships of his childhood. Today it is clear to him where he wants to go. “Gusto kong magturo tulad nila Sir Luther at Sir Tony,”declares Rafael. “Tulad ngayon, nag-a-assist ako sa mga bata. Ilang taon na rin akong nagtuturo. Hangga’t nandito ito, dito rin ako. Sana tumagal pa ito.” (I want to teach just like Sir Luther and Sir Tony. Now I’m assisting with the kids. I’ve been teaching for the past seven years. As long as this place is here, this is where I’ll be, as well. I hope it lasts a long time.”)
Without a doubt, the long-running dance scholarship program at Quezon City opened doors for this orphaned boy. He has stumbled not only upon a route into the dance world, but more significantly, he’s found a nurturing second home. “May mga palaboy diyan,” Rafael reflects. “Wala silang mararating. Ito yung pinaka the best sakin.” (There are bums out there. They’ll get nowhere in life. Whereas this is the best thing that’s happened to me.”)
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