Vex Ruffin

Vex Ruffin grew up between California’s Inland Empire and Alabang, Manila in the Philippines and makes ‘Original Pilipino Music’ (OPM). Vex’s OPM draws on and smooths out the complex interplay between the American, the Filipino and other eclectic Pacific Rim musical influences that have seeped into the mix over the last three decades. Family is ever-present in Filipino culture — relationships with loved ones are a central theme in Vex’s music.  (Photo by Rob Klassen)