THE PATRIARCH OF BOHOLANO ARTISTS

There used to be a time when photography was a craze, when only a handful had cameras clicking in its crudest forms. Outdoor shooting was not even in vogue. People who wanted a pose for posterity flocked to the studios, which were complete with props, background canvas depicting rustic scenes and metropolitan grandeur. The cameraman then took time setting his camera on a tripod, covered his head with a black cloth, and clicked with eye-popping bulbs, and stayed in the dark room for hours. Ramasola studio charged all these; revolutionizing photography in Bohol since 1963 is Ric Ramasola, the grand patriarch of Boholano artists.

Teodorico Martinez Ramasola saw the light of day in Maribojoc, Bohol on October 23, 1936 . Long before his birth, his father, Ponciano Ramasola, went to Manila and took an apprenticeship as a sculptor. His employer, who was also a photography buff, taught him the rudiments of photography. This changed his life completely. He met and fall in love with Presentacion Martinez from Bulan, Sorsogon. They came to Bohol and made photography his profession. This was the atmosphere Ric grew up with. But even before school age he already loved to draw. When he was in third grade he participated in a provincewide Poster Making Contest. He won First Prize. At first the organizers were reluctant to acknowledge his competence in beating those much older than him. This feat was duplicated in two consecutive years, in his fifth and sixth grade, when he won two Poster Making Contests sponsored by the Department of Education and Carlos P. Romulo, during the United Nations anniversaries.

He was married to Nila Bongcac, one of the most committed religious and civic leaders of the province. They have four children. Teodorico Jr. finished Fine Arts, major in Advertising, at the University of San Carlos . He is presently in video-TV production, with clientele that include big corporations all over the country. Emmanuel finished Economics at CRS (Center for Research and Communication) now University of Asia and the Pacific, and is presently based in Manila . Mae Anne is a graduate of Business Administration also from the UAP, and is taking up Law at HNU, while she handles the business side of Ramasola Studio. The youngest, Christopher, finished Fine Arts (Advertising) from UST and takes charge of still pictures and printing, while accepting product packaging jobs sporadically.

Ric obtained his elementary education at the Maribojoc Central School where he graduated in 1951, and proceeded with his secondary course at the Saint Vincent Institute. Even in his youth Ric already showed inclination to the arts, especially in painting. He did not go to college at once right after graduation from high school. His involvement with photography was total. Besides, at a time when the minimum wage was only four pesos a day, the young man was already making more than fifty pesos daily. After two years his parents enrolled him at the University of Santo Tomas for a course in Fine Arts, major in Painting. His mentors, who included National Artists Victorio Edades, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, and Vicente Manansala, were one in assessing that the young provinciano was a real talent. In 1960, a year before graduation, he won two national competitions. In the Traveler's Assurance Painting Contest of the Traveler's Assurance Corporation, he garnered Third Place among hundreds of aspiring painters. He won the much-coveted First Prize in the Shell National Students Art Competition sponsored by the Pilipinas Shell Corporation. He was commissioned to do the murals of Tres Hermanas, and designed the plaque of the Manila Jai Alai. He was offered a scholarship to Rome , but when he learned that he had to teach at UST for two years after the grant, he did not accept the offer.

After graduation, there were some well-meaning friends who advised him to stay in Manila where the opportunity to develop further his talent was enormous. But home beckoned. Even as a youth he had already immersed in photography which was a family business. He decided to come back to Bohol . Little did he know that he will revolutionize the photographic art right in his home province. This was at a time when instant shots and one-hour developing were still far off from the perception of the people. There was the use of the airbrush to enhance photos. Ric's knowledge in painting came in handy. His portraits were exquisite. Coupled with the ability to inspire his subject to project himself, he was so successful in his field that all photography studios found it hard to withstand the competition, and one-by-one they folded up. Until there was only one left, Ramasola Studio, right at the heart of Tagbilaran City. Even while enjoying success in photography, he made himself available in some worthy organizations. He was elected President of the Bohol Arts Association in 1962. He was also a member of the Bohol Arts Council, and the Regional NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts).

He did not limit himself to cultural organizations. He involved himself in several religious groups with his wife. He and Nila were original couple-member of the Christian Family Movement. He was active in Cursillo in Christianity. But it is in dovetailing religious fervor and his art that Ric Ramasola excels. As a Consultant of the Diocesan Commission on Church Patrimony he was a vital exponent in church innovation and restoration. One recipient of his artistic talent is the present Saint Joseph Cathedral. As a member of the Technical Committee of the Lourdes Parish, he unselfishly contributed his time and talents to what is now the Lourdes Parish Church along Graham Avenue . Whenever there are historical restorations all over Bohol , Ric Ramasola is always urgently requested to lend a helping hand; and the undertakings like this he never gives No as an answer. He has successfully blended art and religion as no other Boholano has done.

Ric is highly regarded even by Manila Artists. Calling him the Patriarch of Boholano Artists is not a misnomer. No other Boholano has succeeded blending the arts of painting, photography, and sculpture. His every sculpture is an astonishing rendition of the character of his subject and model. There is one aspect of Ric Ramasola only a few after know about: his humanitarian projects. He shares Gods graces by giving something to eat, even a person unknown to him. He shares the words of God in squatter areas in Cebu and Bohol . At times he lived with his beneficiaries while helping them build houses and provided initial capital for a sustainable livelihood. This is an aspect he does not want known, but which this writer cannot help but mention, not because of publicity's sake; not mentioning it would render this biography incomplete.

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