Orange Cup Spotlight: Ralph Tee
Ralph Tee is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, an alumnus of Xavier School, and a professional close-up and stage magician based in the Philippines. What began as a hobby 13 years ago has grown into a career that allows him to bring people together through surprising magic, humour, storytelling, and audience participation.
Finding the Magic
Tee’s interest in magic began with a simple goal: he wanted to stand out and become the life of the party. He started learning tricks and performing for the people around him, quickly discovering how magic could capture someone’s attention and bring energy into a room.
“I would say that it worked, and everyone loved me performing some magic for them,” Tee told Orange Cup Blog.
With a newfound interest in entertaining others, Tee continued developing his skills and confidence. Every performance allowed him to practise, understand his audience, and discover his own style as a magician. While completing his Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Santo Tomas, magic provided him with a creative outlet that eventually became much more than a hobby.
From Hobby to Profession
Tee’s professional journey was built on the question: What happens when the path you studied for is not the life that will make you happy?
After graduating from college, Tee began questioning what he genuinely wanted for his future. Mechanical Engineering offered him a clear and traditional career path, but he could not ignore the feeling that pursuing it might not provide the happiness and fulfilment he was looking for.
“I really wondered what I wanted to do,” Tee explained. “My course was Mechanical Engineering at UST, but I still felt like I would not be happy pursuing that path.”
After recognizing the difference between the career expected of him and the life he wanted to create, Tee made the decision to pursue magic professionally. He says, “I took a leap of faith and started pursuing the art of magic and performing professionally.”
Building a name for himself was difficult and uncertain at first. Tee needed to find opportunities, introduce his work to new audiences, and prove that his passion could become a sustainable profession. He also worried about what his family and friends might think of his decision to step away from engineering.
Instead of receiving doubt, Tee found a community of people who believed in his abilities and wanted to support his journey. Their encouragement gave him the confidence to continue moving forward and helped transform his passion into a professional career.
“I really would say that I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for my family and friends,” Tee shared.
Today, Tee performs close-up magic and interactive stage shows for private celebrations, weddings, corporate events, and large audiences. His professional portfolio includes performances for Toyota, Lazada, TikTok, Estée Lauder, and Lucky Beauty.
Tee performed for more than 8,000 people during Toyota’s year-end Christmas party and later debuted his solo show, A Sip of Magic, at Yes Please in Bonifacio Global City. The show welcomed an audience of more than 150 people and gave Tee the opportunity to share the personal journey behind his career as a magician.
In 2026, Tee continues to grow his community, share his craft with new audiences, and create performances that bring people together. His goal is not only to leave people wondering how a trick was done, but also to create experiences filled with surprise, joy, and genuine connection.
Staying Connected to His Roots
Tee’s connection to Xavier School makes his story personally meaningful to me. We both participated in the Xavier Dragon and Lion Dance group, although we were members at different times.
I did not know Tee personally because he had already graduated, but I remember him continuing to attend our training sessions while I was in high school. He would join the group, spend time with the younger members, and share tips from his own experience.
Seeing an alumnus continue to return after graduation showed how much he valued the community that helped shape him. The gesture may have appeared small, but it reflected a genuine willingness to remain connected to his roots and help others develop their skills.
Years later, the same enthusiasm can be seen in Tee’s performances and social media content. One of his Instagram reels showed him sharing his magic on the Philippine variety show Eat Bulaga! Whether he is performing on television, entertaining thousands of guests, or helping younger students during a school training session, Tee brings an energy that reflects his passion for connecting with people.
Advice for Dreamers
Tee’s experiences serve as an inspiration to young people to pursue the interests they have always imagined, remain determined amid uncertainty, and trust themselves enough to consider an unconventional path.
From his experiences as an engineering graduate and professional magician, Tee emphasizes the importance of recognizing what brings genuine fulfilment, appreciating the people who offer support, and remaining committed when the future is uncertain.
His journey also reminds us to remember why we started. Passion may begin as a hobby, but consistency, courage, and the right community can transform it into something much greater. Taking a leap of faith does not require knowing exactly how everything will unfold. It requires trusting the purpose behind the decision and being willing to grow through every challenge that follows.
The audience may remember the tricks, surprises, and laughter, but the most meaningful part of Tee’s story happens beyond the stage. The real magic is found in having the courage to pursue an unexpected life, remain connected to one’s roots, and use a personal passion to bring joy to others.
To learn more about Ralph Tee and his performances, visit ralphteemagic.com.
“I really believe that taking risks can only push you to be better.”
Ralph Tee, Entertainer | Professional Magician
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