From the towering LED screens along EDSA to the upscale neighborhood of McKinley Hill, from the Queen City of the South—Cebu—to the expansive Mall of Asia, Rafayel’s face has been lighting up the hearts of his many Filipino “Miss Bodyguards,” one of his many terms of endearment for his devoted fans worldwide.
On March 6, virtual boyfriend Rafayel celebrates his birthday. He is one of the main love interests in Love and Deepspace, a popular mobile otome game. Otome games, designed primarily for women, offer immersive romance simulations alongside thrilling battles, deep lore, and emotional narratives. The game follows the player’s journey, exploring different memories and relationships with multiple love interests. Despite its niche genre, Love and Deepspace has amassed over 50 million players worldwide.
Mall of Asia | Photo From: Artemis Manahan
Fans across the globe went all out to celebrate Rafayel’s birthday, organizing large-scale displays and events in various countries, including New York, Paris, London, Italy, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. The grandest celebrations took place in China, where his biggest fanbase resides. There, fans rented entire malls, parks, cruises, hotels, exhibition halls, high-speed trains, and sports cars for parades. Thousands of billboards, as well as virtual and augmented reality installations, showcased his image across the country—all funded by individual fans and dedicated groups as a heartfelt tribute to their beloved character.
In the Philippines, fans echoed these grand gestures. Beyond securing premium billboard placements, multiple fan groups organized more than ten gatherings nationwide to commemorate Rafayel’s special day. However, Filipino fans took their love even further by channeling their admiration into meaningful causes.
In the game’s storyline, Rafayel is a sea god who once ruled the lost civilization of Lemuria, with a deep desire to save his home in the ocean. Inspired by this, his Filipina “Miss Bodyguards” came together to support marine conservation efforts. They adopted whale sharks and whales through various global and local organizations and contributed to coral reef preservation initiatives.
As an artist in the game, Rafayel also dedicates his time to mentoring young artists—sometimes as an art teacher for children and a guest lecturer at a university. His in-game generosity inspired fans to support Special Achievers, a nonprofit organization that empowers children with disabilities by providing access to art education and creative opportunities. In his honor, they pledged donations to help young artists overcome challenges and pursue their passions.
Robinsons Galleria | Photo From: Angel Cabrera
While large-scale fan projects are not new to the fandom landscape, Rafayel’s influence continues to grow, rivaling that of real-life celebrities. As a renowned figure and a revered sea god in the game, his celebrity status extends beyond the digital realm. Players form deep emotional bonds with him through interactive gameplay, sometimes even admitting that their relationship standards have been heightened by such fictional characters.
Though some may dismiss these passionate expressions of admiration as mere fantasy, for many players, the emotions they experience are deeply genuine. Beyond romance, these characters provide comfort, understanding, and unconditional love—feelings that resonate on a personal level. In response, fans wholeheartedly reciprocate that love, going to extraordinary lengths to celebrate and support the virtual figures who have touched their lives.
For Rafayel’s Filipino fans, that love knows no boundaries—even beyond dimensions.
