PERSONAL INFORMATIONFull Name: Nikolai Jaire
Japanese Name: 仁虎礼慈映
Nicknames: Niko, Jay
Sex: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Face Claim: Byeon Woo Seok
Date of Birth: October 31, 1991
Relationship Status: Engaged
Height: 190 cm (6’3)
Scent: Le Labo Santal 33
Nationality: Filipino-Japanese
Place of Birth: Kanazawa, Japan
Current Residence: BGC, Manila
Languages: Tagalog, English, Japanese
Education: BS Arch, University of Santo Tomas
Occupation: Architect, Barista at Kultura BistroMundane is Of Age.
家族関係 : 03
Chisato Liu (Father) — He supported Rafael’s interest in architecture. When Rafael was a child, they often walked around the city so Chisato could show him different structural styles. Sometimes, they would sit by the road or under a tree to talk about the area and its history. Chisato spent much of his free time with his family and often sketched with Rafael. Despite being a workaholic, Rafael looks up to him and considers him the best dad he could have asked for. They still meet occasionally.Rafina Jolenne Liu (Mother) — Ever since becoming a mother, she has spent most of her time at home, cooking delicious meals, keeping the house clean, and helping Rafael with schoolwork. Every meal she made was filled with care, which is likely why Rafael and his father, Chisato, always left the house with a smile. She was patient with everything, and Rafael likely picked that up from her. When the time came for them to travel again and leave Rafael behind, she made sure he never felt neglected. He always felt loved, no matter the distance.Chiara Joulène Liu (Sister) — Rafael has always viewed her as a little sister, even though she’s now in her late twenties. He met her when she was eight, around the time their parents separated. Since then, they’ve stayed close. They understand each other even without the need to speak—that’s how strong their bond is. Rafael can be strict with her at times, mostly because he became used to being independent while living in Japan. When their mother was away for work, Rafael was the one responsible for Chiara—until she was old enough to take care of herself.
Rafael Yuan Liu was born in Kanazawa, Japan. He was raised by his mother, Rafina Jolenne Liu, a Filipina who had grown up in Japan, and his father, Chisato Liu, a Japanese-Chinese man who had spent most of his childhood in China.His parents had met when his father traveled to Japan for business and crossed paths with his mother. Both were well-known in the business world. After Rafael was born, his father chose to stay and work in Japan to focus more on their family. Rafael’s interest in architecture began with his collection of miniatures—houses, skyscrapers, and other structures. His mother had also been passionate about design, but her dreams remained unfulfilled, as she had to begin working at an early age to support herself. Whenever they had time, both parents sketched with him; it became a memorable bond in their family, alongside their regular strolls around the city.When Rafael turned 7, both parents resumed their business travels, and he became used to spending much of his time alone.Although his father was raised in China, growing up in Japan meant that Chinese culture had little to no influence on how Rafael grew up. Instead, he connected more closely with the culture he lived in every day.Even when his parents were away, he continued to visit places where architectural designs could be seen. These moments reminded him of sitting under a tree with his parents, talking about the history of a building and the reasons it was built. Exploring the city together had always been their way of bonding.
Some years later, Rafael became an older brother to Chiara Jouléne Liu, who was born in Italy. When she turned eight, business issues led to the separation of their parents, prompting Chiara and their mother to return to the Philippines. Upon learning what had happened, Rafael felt he had no choice but to follow them. Leaving Japan—and the culture he had grown up with—wasn’t easy. He was still a teenager, just beginning to understand what life truly is. Adjusting to a new environment, language, and pace of life in the Philippines took time.He went on to study at the University of Santo Tomas and pursued his dream of becoming an architect. There, his understanding of design and architectural principles deepened. Each project he had contributed to his growth, and over time, he completed his Architecture degree.Rafael now shares a home with his fiancée, Jiana, along with their cats and dog, who get along surprisingly well despite their differences. As an architect, he didn’t just want to build—he wanted to be different, to reimagine spaces and develop a style of his own. What began as childhood sketches turned into designs that gained recognition in the architectural field, requiring him to travel from time to time as well.Despite his achievements, Rafael didn’t want his life to revolve solely around blueprints and client meetings. To add a touch of spontaneity to his routine, he took a part-time job at a café nestled in the scenic hills of Twin Lakes, Tagaytay. There, he served coffee, listened to conversations, and found joy in even the smallest daily interactions—believing that, just like in architecture, connection could be thoughtfully designed to bring people together.