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'Idol' Finalist Has Local Link

Ramiele Malubay, 20, has made it to the Top 24.

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 14, 2008

TAMPA - One of the 24 finalists on the current season of "American Idol" is a graduate of Zephyrhills High School.

Ramiele Malubay, 20, the petite singer with the big voice, lives in Miramar (near Miami) but she lived in the Tampa Bay area for five years.

On Wednesday night's episode of "Idol," she was among the 12 female singers picked to advance to the next level of the competition.

She told WTVT, Channel 13, reporter Charley Belcher that she has a lot of friends and relatives in Zephyrhills and Land O' Lakes. She also is a past performer at the annual Philippine Festival held here.

Malubay was born in Saudi Arabia and spent her early years in the Philippines. She has been singing since she was 12 years old. Before "Idol" she was studying to be a nurse and working as a hostess at a sushi restaurant. She also plays the piano and guitar.

She has said that she wants to be the first Asian-American Idol.

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813 259-7654 or wbelcher@tampatrib.com.

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