Tales from Ramon Bautista

It would seem that Helen of Troy has found her male counterpart on this man whose face as well as wit launched a thousand common senses back to use. “Gamitin ang kagwapuhan hindi sa panlilinlang sa kababaihan kundi sa pag gabay sa kabataan,” he would quote on his first book, Bakit Hindi ka Crush ng Crush Mo. True to the statement, Ramon Bautista rose to fame with his street-wise tips on living and truth-hurts-that's-life approach on matters of the broken heart- short videos which can be seen on Youtube. Also known for his “bloody hell, dropped calls” act for a telecommunications company commercial and the rapping stint he did alongside the late Francis Magalona for Nescafé back in 2008, Sir Monra spends time teaching Film and Audio-Visual Communication at the University of the Philippines, Diliman and hangs out with the crew of Magic 89.9's Boys Night Out every Mondays. So with all the exposure in television, radio, and in the internet, one would think that funnyman Ramon is an open book with no other personas to hide. But amidst the natural humor, satirical statements and the self-proclaimed Luis Manzano looks, is a man who once preferred to keep to himself, settling for a relationship with books and magazines. Who would have thought that the once shy-type Bautista would soon evolve into the so-called “internet action star” we know today who gives away free t-shirts after advising on problems of the heart? A 30-minute chat with the Friendzone specialist himself would be a treat for those out there who need a dose of practicality with a hint of comic relief and random life stories on the side.

A proud member of the 'Nerd Society'

One of the most common stereotyping would have to be assuming that smart, book-loving, grade-conscious people do not belong in front of the camera or anywhere near it. However, Ramon is one of those people who dare defy this kind of thinking. Growing up, Ramon explains he would rather stay at home, read some books and study his lessons rather than go off somewhere with playmates. “Hindi na man sa preferred, kasi siyempre, mainit sa labas tapos bago yung mga videogames noon. Ako yung isa sa mga unang bata o baka isa na nalason ang pag-iisip sa videogames na hindi na ako naglaro sa kalye at pinili ko na lang na mag-computer tsaka manood ng t.v,” he adds. The famous internet action star reveals he read just about anything he could find at home: newspapers, encyclopedias and magazines. Although seeming like a bookworm, his childhood days was not entirely spent reading Times and Newsweek magazines. Ramon reminisces on what entertainment and comedy was for him as a child. “Well, hindi naman talaga ako mahilig na mahilig sa comedy pero nanonood ako lagi ng Eat Bulaga, mga pelikula ni Tito, Vic & Joey nung pag tanghali. Yung mga barkado ko, mga nakakatawa silang tao kaya siguro gusto kong nakakatawa rin yung mga iniisip ko,” he says. And so it would seem that a big portion of who he is now was brought on by his peers. “Yung friends, ayun malaking impluwensiya. Di na man sa mas malaki pero malaking impluwensiya kasi kung di ako tumambay sa mga nerd noon o kaya napariwara ako o nabarkada ako sa tarantado, baka tarantado din ako,” he says. True enough, it was the same kind of people that led him to realize who he wanted to be and the same crowd that would soon propel him to stardom. He says, “Doon ako sa mga masisipag, sa mga nerdo-nerdo. Nung bandang high school, yung mga nerd na yan, humalo doon sa mga nakakatawa, so naging, yung klase ng pag-iisip ko, gusto ko na din maging katulad nila... college, mga creative na tao na man kasi siyempre Film yung course ko.” If you already had the chance to read his book or catch an episode of one of his four-to-seven minute videos, you would know how Sir Monra emphasizes on the importance of education. Blame it on his nerdy past or the fact that his parents always acknowledged he would make right choices in life, or even because he is a professor in the premiere university of the country; whatever the case is, it is quite interesting to know that someone who greatly values learning and progress is able to inspire many using wit and comedy, which in the first place can be achieved by taking going to school seriously. “Unahin niyo yung pag-aaral kasi yung love na man, pwede na mang dumating yan kung nakatadhana talaga kayo. Tsaka siyempre, kapag nag-aral ka, makakahanap ka ng magandang trabaho, kapag nakahanap ka ng magandang trabaho, kikita ka, kapag kumita ka, yayaman ka, kapag yumaman ka, mas maraming maiinlove sa iyo kasi stable ka,” he claims.

Perks of Being a Film Maker

For someone who used to shy his way through childhood and school life, working in the film industry and being considered as an in-demand commercial model today seem like an ironic transition. But it just goes to show how uniqueness always serves as edge. “Bilang filmmaker, P.N.Y. ang tawag namin sa filmmaking style namin ni RA, P.N.Y. short for "Pwede Na Yan". Maraming nagpi-P.N.Y. pero pangit yung P.N.Y. nila. Sa amin nagagandahan kami sa P.N.Y. namin, may karakter na parang DIY, Homemade,” Ramon explains. The Mr. Pogi of the internet scene recalls coming from the college of architecture and shifting to film studies which happens to be his true calling. With his very good friend, RA Rivera, Ramon opted to leave his t-square in exchange for a camera. “May napanood akong film festival tapos parang pangit yung mga pelikulang pinapalabas. Naisip ko kaya ko din gumawa ng mga ganun. True enough, nakagawa nga rin ako ng mga pangit na sine pero nananalo na ng award tsaka nalalagay sa mga festival,” he says. Famous for playing various roles in Strangebrew, a reality comedy show which aired from 2001 to 2003 on Studio 23, and showcasing failed magic attempts in his Dan Michael Master Magician videos, Ramon confesses on the good things film-making has to offer. “The best thing, ito siguro yung naiinterview ng mga tao na parang interesado din sila kasi mahiyain din ako... may sweldo din naman, mas madali ang buhay kaysa halimbawa, yung driver ng bulldozer, ganun,” he says. And while starring in films himself, Ramon does not overlook the feeling of being starstrucked everytime he gets to meet famous people and gets to rub elbows with them. “Masaya kasi halimbawa si Francis Magalona, nakatrabaho ko siya, dati minememorize ko lang yung mga rap niya nung high school tapos nung nakagawa kami ng commercial, nakaka-star struck minsan,” he admits. So aside from having a number of commercials and cameos, rowdying with other DJ's on radio, getting to talk with renowned artists in The Ramon Bautista show, and playing chef in GMA News TV 11's Sarap At Home, would there be more to look forward to in the life of a Ramon Bautista? “Nainspire ako kay E.R. Ejercito. Gumagawa siya ng mga pelikula na starring siya. Dati ko pa siyang inspirasyon kasi dati yung mga role niya, manyakis na killer na adik tapos bigla siyang nag-reporter. Sabi ko, grabe itong tao na ito, binali niya lahat ng mga stereotype na mga karakter ng media, gusto kong maging tulad niya,” he explains, adding that he still has dreams for himself and for his craft.

Who wants to be an Abanger?

“Na-friendzone ka nga, may t-shirt ka naman.” The famous line by Ramon Bautista at the end of Tales From The Friendzone (TFTFZ) videos is fast becoming a local trend nowadays. Its pilot episode, I love you Bebelyn, currently has 454,113 views. Abanger, from the root word “abang”, basically means someone who is willing to wait for his crush or loved one to notice him or choose him. It may seem new, but Ramon explains this situation has always been around and all he did was to give it a name. Words like MOMOL (Make-Out, Make-Out Lang), Preemptive Supalpal and Girlie is now being added to the vocabulary of some especially to ages belonging to the adolescent and early adulthood stage. “Pansin namin ni RA Rivera, maraming kabataan ang sobrang obsessed sa pagiging in love, sa pagkakilig,” Ramon claims and adds that these young ones tend to overlook the more important things in life at their stage which is good education and becoming a better individual. The TFTFZ episodes center on letters to Ramon from people in need of love advices especially those who are being friendzoned. Always the comedian, Ramon gives his advices along with theatrics and satirical qoutes. When asked on what a typical TFTFZ shooting is like, Ramon answers, “siyempre pipili ako ng kuwento tapos pili kami ng artista ni RA. Siyempre maraming nagpe-presenta pero konti lang yung pwede. Lalo na yung schedule, kadalasan, bukas na kami mag-shu-shoot, buong gabi magtatanong kami ng mga kaibigan naming girlaloo kung may papayag. Buti may pumapayag naman, magaganda na man.” Although the short videos garnered much attention, it was his Formspring and Tumblr accounts that helped him hone his talents in answering love problems and random sometimes senseless questions. Much as he was deemed comedic, Ramon takes his advice-giving seriously and wants to embed rationality in the minds of his fans and followers. “Siyempre hindi na ako natatawa sa mga pinagsasabi ko kasi sa tingin ko naman hindi na man nakakatawa, parang seryoso nga ako eh. Kasi naghahanap sila ng nakakatawa, ano na mang nakakatawa diyan. Sila natatawa, ako parang wala lang, ganyan ako magsalita,” he says. After being awarded for having the Most Smiled Formspring in the World last 2011, more blessings came for Ramon as he releases his book, Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo. The book, which is a compilation of questions and answers in his Formspring, became one of the best-sellers in the country in 2012 proving just how patronizing we can be when it comes to topics of love and humor. It was a memorable experience for the author himself who says, “Akala ko walang bibili ng libro, marami pala. Hindi, marami, ineexpect kong marami pero hindi ganoon karami. Everytime may lumalapit, pinipicture-an yung libro, pino-post sa Twitter, nakakatunaw ng puso na natutuwa sila sa pinaggagawa ko.”

Comical and critical

Finding the right balance between acting as a jester and keeping an iron grip on things is quite difficult. Ramon who teaches Film and Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines- Diliman, know very well the meaning of limitations and boundaries. Being a professor, he admits having to raise his voice if need be and keeping his distance from students who try to bargain grades with him. “Sa akin parang mga class card na naglalakad yang mga yan,” he claims. Just as he promotes valuing education and the feeling of having to receive one, Ramon also points out how real life can teach you lessons you cannot find inside the classroom. “Hindi lang pag-aaral sa school, pag-aaral na kapag may nami-meet kang mga tao, pag-aralan mo, ah ganito siya mag-isip, ganyan yung kultura niyo,” he explains. Being a peace ambasssador, the internet action star puts his intellect to good use to promote peace while injecting some wisecracks saying, “Huwag makipagsuntukan, huwag maki-paghamon ng away at maging role model sa kabataan.” Given the opportunity to be part of another GMA News TV 11 show, May Tamang Balita, Ramon stresses the need to be in the know what is going on around and to participate in anything that can help the nation. “Current events, dapat alam mo lang yung nangyayari sayo para makapagsabi ka ng opinyon,” he says. But though comedy and responsible citizinship can be seen in him, Ramon confesses on getting his fair share of critics and bashing. The UP Film professor keeps his cool and says, “Marami talagang hindi nakaka-gets. Yung okay na man dun, hindi sila nagagalit pero hindi sila nanonood pero hindi naman setback yun kasi kanya-kanyang trip. Hindi nila trip, eh di hindi nila trip.” Accused of indirect discrimination and cyber-bullying because of his no-holds barred way of responding to questions, he bounces back saying what he promotes is strenght of character. The same kind of firm stance can be seen on his opinions on some of the hottest issues in the country. “Cybercrime Law, kailangan parusahan yung mga gumagawa ng krimen sa internet. Uso ngayon yung internet, kailangan natin protektahan yung mga may identity sa internet,” he says. But going back to the topics he is known for, how exactly did Ramon develop a knack for becoming that wise in relationships, a game that only a few know how to play right. “Yung mga nangyayari sa akin, tinatandaan ko ng mabuti tsaka instead of mag-bitter, ginagawa ko silang mga lessons. Walang mga heartaches, only lessons,” he explains.

Ramon Bautista, yung pogi!

 You know you have made it big when you finally have your own theme song with your name on the title. Sino Si Ramon Bautista ('Yung Pogi)- no better title could have been made for Philippine's internet action star. Although a self-proclaimed suplado, Sir Monra reflects the image of a typical middleclass man who struggled and took his studies seriously and used all the knowledge and street smarts he obtained to get ahead in life. Ramon sits on the UP Film Institute staircase as he waits for the interview and swears every now and then- like any normal person. “Galing ako sa ordinaryong tao lang, nag-upload lang ako ng video,” he would say. As a kid, Ramon dreamed of being an astronaut, to travel and see the stars. He was able to do so eventually but not as an astronaut but as an artist and a film-maker. It is quite interesting to think that the same out-of-this world feeling of getting to sit next to your idols is also the same force that could keep you grounded. “Kapag katabi ko si Ely Buendia, nasa-star struck pa rin ako sa kanya. Parang ayoko na lang magsalita na lang kasi baka may masabi akong mali,” Ramon admits. So what is next for Sir Monra? The internet sensation says he likes to take things one at a time and adds that he is enjoying the things he is experiencing now. “Ako nageenjoy, basta nageenjoy yung mga barkada ko dun, ok na rin,” he says. For his last words, Ramon once again promotes the advantages of being in the nerd society with: “maaadvice ko sa kahit anong pangarap niyo maging internet action star, doktor, bumbero, astronaut, mag-aral kayo ng mabuti. Sundin niyo yung mga magulang niyo tsaka matuto kayong sumipsip sa mga boss niyo, sa mga teacher niyo.” #