The Ybanag Voice of Hope: Fin Ramirez’s Journey from Hardship to Harmony

NEW YORK — For many, music is entertainment. But for Filipino singer Fin Ramirez, music has always been survival, strength, and salvation.

A proud son of Naguilian, Isabela, and a member of the Ybanag indigenous tribe, 28-year-old Fin Ramirez is now captivating international audiences with his soaring vocals and soul-stirring performances. But behind the spotlight is a story of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering love for family.

Fin is the youngest of eight siblings—and the only boy. Raised by a security guard father and a mother who sold ukay-ukay (secondhand clothes), life was never easy. But even at age seven, Fin found something that lifted him above poverty: his voice. He began singing in church, discovering not just talent, but purpose.

That purpose became painfully clear when, at 15, his mother was diagnosed with diabetes. Her eyesight began to fade. Eventually, both parents would contract tuberculosis. One sister is a person with a disability (PWD) and remains under Fin’s care. With most of his older sisters starting families of their own, it was Fin who shouldered the burden.

“I didn’t just sing for dreams—I sang so my family could eat, so my mother could get her medicine,” he shares.

Joining local competitions in Isabela—Star sa DY, Isabela Singing Idol—Fin slowly built his name while quietly providing for his family. National recognition came through appearances on Tawag ng Tanghalan, I Can See Your Voice Philippines, and the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2019 in the United States, where he won multiple medals.

One of his most viral moments? A heartfelt cover of “Exchange of Hearts”, which garnered over 10 million combined views on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

But it wasn’t until after the pandemic that Fin made the life-changing decision to move to Dubai—not to chase fame, but to continue providing for his family. There, he balanced being a full-time performing artist and vocal coach, mentoring aspiring singers while sending most of his income home to support his ailing parents and siblings.

Now based in the UAE, Fin’s reach is truly global. His original single “Hindi Nga Pala Tayo”—released under All Star PH—touched thousands with its raw honesty. He also performed alongside comedy diva K Brosas in “Lumuluha Ang Puso Ko.” His solo concert in the Philippines sold out, a testament to the growing fanbase drawn to both his voice and his heart.

Still, his biggest dream isn’t on stage.

“My niece, who is deaf, is very close to my heart,” he says. “I’m saving up for a cochlear implant. I want her to finally hear—and when she does, I want the first thing she hears to be my voice singing to her, live.”

Fin Ramirez continues to prove that success isn’t measured by applause or awards, but by how many lives you touch along the way. From small-town competitions to world-class performances, his journey is a living reminder that no dream is too far when fueled by love, faith, and purpose.