The history of a city isn't written solely with dates in textbooks, but with the constant effort of people who, like Rafael Bernabeu Moya, have dedicated every second of their lives to building an industrial base from scratch. The recent presentation of his biography has been a meeting point for the Elche society, which turned out in full force to support one of its most illustrious residents at an event that exceeded all attendance expectations at the Congress Center.
It's not often you see an audience so engaged in learning the details of a literary work, but there's much more to this book than just paper and ink. The event served to highlight the figure of the founder of J'hayber, a man of action who faithfully represents that post-war generation that learned the trade through perseverance and an entrepreneurial vision that was far ahead of its time.
A project born from memory and affection
Bringing this work to fruition required a truly meticulous documentary effort that spanned three years. The book was coordinated hand in hand by the journalist Gaspar Maciá and historian Miguel Ors Montenegro, who began the interviews back in 2022 with the initial goal of creating an intimate document for the family that, fortunately, has ended up being public.
What has most surprised the authors during this long process has been Rafael's enviable lucidity, who his ninety-five years He possesses a prodigious memory that allowed him to correct and expand each chapter. The recording sessions number in the dozens of hours, in which the businessman has recounted everything from his first steps as a child apprentice to the decisions that changed the course of his family and the entire province.
From the workshop to the top of the industrial sector
The story provides a spectacular snapshot of what it means to be an entrepreneur in Spain, based on the premise that Rafael was involved in the creation of more than fifty companies throughout his long career. Although the name J'hayber is the one that resonates most in everyone's mind due to his cultural and sporting impact, his influence extends to the auxiliary industry, the motor sector and various highly relevant employers' institutions.
However, not everything in his life has been about balance sheets and mass production, as the text also focuses on his great capacity for dialogue with the unions and his mediating role in rather delicate social moments. Bernabeu always understood that a company is a ship where everyone rows together, and this conciliatory approach has earned him the unanimous respect of fellow professionals and workers' representatives.
Although the original idea was simply to leave a legacy for their grandchildren, the family decided that the work should have a entirely charitable purpose to help the most vulnerable groups. Therefore, all proceeds from the distribution of copies in local bookstores will be donated to social causes, thus closing a circle of generosity that has defined their understanding of success from the beginning.
The biography is further enhanced by a carefully curated selection of photographs that allow the reader to glimpse the evolution of Elche, from the old family workshops to the modern industrial buildings of today. Ultimately, what remains after immersing oneself in this narrative is the feeling of being in the presence of... living history of Spanish industry, personified in a man who went from being an employee to an employer without ever losing his humility or his roots.
The career of Rafael Bernabeu Moya stands as a fundamental testament to understanding the economic and social transformation that the Levante region has undergone in recent decades. His biography is not only the story of a commercial success, but also the chronicle of a life dedicated to constant work and commitment to his community, leaving a legacy that will serve as a guide for future generations of entrepreneurs seeking an example of integrity.