PH Volcanoes’ player opens up about past being struggling past as an orphan

“I thought it was the glue. That’s why I chose rugby for sports.” – Lito Ramirez (File Photo: Lito Ramirez/Facebook)

Lito Ramirez, who made history as one of the first full Filipino national rugby team players, born and raised in Manila, has recently made waves after sharing his rags to riches story where he used to “smell rugby” to “playing rugby” for the Philippine Volcanoes.

Taken in by a local orphanage on March 17, 1994, which makes the athlete 25 years-old on paper, Ramirez and his older brother’s parents went missing and were under the care of their uncle, who was an addict.

The boys were sent to the streets to beg for food, which led to them referring to a small bottle of the solvent glue to fulfill themselves.

Ramirez elaborates that they “slept wherever the night caught up with [them],” and after being sent to an orphanage by a woman who spotted their living conditions, bounced from one location to another for years until ending up at Tuloy sa Don Bosco.

Six-year-old Ramirez was residing in that orphanage when counsellors from his school urged him to pick a sport as a recreational activity, which he quickly stated he was not interested in football and basketball. Therefore, rugby was suggested, which he reveals he “didn’t have any idea it was a sport,” revealing, “I thought it was the glue.

That’s why I chose rugby for sports.”

In 2012, he participated in the country’s under-18 team before being acquired by the Volcanoes in 2015, where he was amidst bigger, stockier teammates who were half-Filipino. General manager of the Philippine Rugby Football Union Jake Letts described Ramirez as “dangerous” on the field, applauding the player, stating, “His strength is his speed and his agility. It’s really hard for a big guy to catch him.

When they do catch him it can be painful.” Letts added, “He’s definitely got the grit. He’s been through it all.”

After making a name for himself in the professional sports industry, Ramirez now has one goal in mind, explaining, “I want to be with my parents. I miss being part of a family. I just don’t know how I can find them.”