Ramon de los Santos – Visual Artist, Talisay City, Negros Occidental

“Ang alam ko lang noong bata pa lang ako (mga 7 to 8 taon) ay hilig ko na mag-drawing sa lupa o sa mga daan doon sa amin. Parang laro lamang. Sa tag-ulan ay enjoy na enjoy ako dahil basa ang lupa at naghuhukay ako ng malapot na clay at ginagawa kong mga laruan katulad ng barko, eroplano at kung ano pa.

Noong elementary nag simulang madiskubre ko ang aking potensyal sa pag-guhit dahil sa papuri ng aking teacher na sinabing magaganda daw ang mga artworks ko. Mula noon ay tuloy-tuloy na ang pag-drawing ko at isinali na sa mga art competitions at lagi namang nananalo nong mga panahong iyon. Nagpatuloy akong sumali hangang highschool pero natigil dahil sa kahirapan.

Pumasok ako sa isang ceramic factory dito sa Bacolod hanggang sa maging member ako ng isang organisasyon ng sining (AAB – Art Association of Bacolod). Sa mga nakalipas na panahon ay sumali na ako sa maraming artshows at nagkaroon na din ng anim na solo exhibits.”

“Since I was a child of about 7 to 8 years old, drawing was already a passion. I would draw on the dirt and streets in our place. It was childplay. I remember that during those times, I really enjoyed the rainy season because it gave me the opportunity to dig clay out of the wet soil which I made into toys like ships, airplanes and many others.

It was during my elementary years when my teachers were able to recognize my potential. They kept on praising my artworks. From then on, I pursued drawing and kept on winning in various art competitions that I competed in. It continued until my highschool years but unfortunately I had to drop out because of financial difficulties.

I worked in a ceramic factory in Bacolod until I became a member of an art organization (AAB – Art Association of Bacolod). In the recent past, I joined various art exhibitions and already had six solo exhibits.”

Clay Bas Relief