| |
TED
RAMASOLA: Suspended Animation
Text
by Mitzi Ibaya
 |
|
"My
father hammered into me to think, walk, and talk like
you're already there."
And
so it was with grace that the first-born child of Ric
Ramasola took the applause from the audience, intimating
that they have his father to thank for. His current
work, an 8-minute video promotional of Bohol, Siquijor
and Oriental Negros, garnered the awe of over a hundred
or so viewers, mostly heads of the different sectors
of Bohol including the higher-ups of the Department
of Tourism, that gathered for the launching
|
of a guide to Bohol book and video. From the whispers of disbelief,
it was evident that some have yet to accept that in this island
province lives, breathes and works a professional that rivals
the best in the realm of advertising in the entire archipelago.
Teodoro
"Ted" Ramasola has made advertising materials even
before he finished his course in Fine Arts major in advertising
at the University of San Carlos. Choosing video as his medium,
he has conceptualized, directed, shot, and edited publicity
releases for various industries ranging from petrochemicals
to transport to consumer products to Government and Non-Government
Organizations.
"I
pick products and projects that I myself am convinced that
I will use," says Ted on selecting his projects.
In
the advertising business, this Boholano who contrives to create
"filmic" quality video advertisements on the second
floor of the Ramasola Original Studio -with the help of contraptions
that he himself made- is enjoying upper echelon seat in his
profession. His current and biggest clients afterall are the
Ayala and Aboitiz Group of Companies - and in this country,
you can't get any higher than that.
| Unfortunately,
many of his obra are not within viewing reach of the common
public. One exception, however, would be an advertisement
for a hog feed that no less than the great Lorna Tolentino
endorses. And for a man who can talk you into a stupor,
Ted had the audacity to direct Miss Tolentino to talk
to imaginary pig-animation friends and not tell anyone
about it. |
|
 |
To
the Lifestyle team, Ted Ramasola is Christopher's big brother.
The man who can speak truth without qualms and strip it of
its every scrap of saccharine pretense; the man we seek when
our heads need unraveling. He is our very own babaylan. But
to most, the customary mode of distinguishing Boholano children
applied, he is simply the son of his father Ric.
But
while the son may share his father's dedication and curiosity,
Ted Ramasola, however, has long ago walked away from the shadow
of his father. In his work is his evidence. He is his own
man who walks, talks and thinks not only because he is there
but because he can. And lines from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet
come to mind.
"Your children are not your children./ They are the sons
and daughters of Life's longing for itself./ They come through
you but not from you,/ And though they are with you yet they
belong not to you."
|
