Cultivating Children’s Theater in SOMA Pilipinas with Filipino-American Puppeteer Ramon Abad
Ramon Abad, one of Balay Kreative’s artists in residence, is a kid at heart. As a puppeteer with over 20 years of experience, his work focuses on embodying Filipino culture and characters in a playful and entertaining way for all to enjoy, especially the little ones. It is after all his life’s mission to create more spaces of children’s theater for Filipinx families and children in SOMA Pilipinas. He’s already making this happen with an upcoming puppet show at Yerba Buena Center Gardens. Known to many as Tito Ramon, he has also taught children to tap into their imagination and perform their own puppet stories. He’s paying it forward because Ramon understands the need to cultivate the creativity of children and why it’s important for kids to see artists and teachers who look like them.
In an interview with Jada Montez, he talks about being incredibly fortunate about every step he’s taken in his artistic journey. While being asked about his work and experience, he can’t help but list off all the people and opportunities that have helped him along the way. Though a small act, it’s an important and inspirational one. Because no matter how old we are, Ramon reminds us to stop once in a while and look at life with awe, curiosity, and laughter.
Profile by Chloe Samillano.
“Balay Kreative is this amazing great space that’s been open to all the shades of Filipino/a/x that are in the Bay Area. It’s not just an art studio, it’s also a cultural center, and a great hub for creative ideas.”
Can you tell us a little more about your art practice/artistic background?
I am a Filipino-American teacher, artist, and puppeteer based in San Francisco. I’ve been fortunate enough to be doing puppetry and making puppets for well over 20 years now. I started at Filipino-American festivals throughout the city, including Yerba Buena Center back in the day in the 90s. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing, but then I became an intern at the American Conservatory Theater here in Downtown San Francisco, and I worked in the prop department. And I got the fortune of working with Larry Reed, who owned a shadow theater company. I became a member of his theater company as a puppeteer, designer, and maker back in the mid-90s. And that’s how I learned how to do this craft - by learning and working with some amazing and talented people over the years.
Also, when I was part of ShadowLight Productions, the shadow theater company, I also joined tongue in A mood, a Filipino-American sketch comedy troupe that was based at Bindlestiff Studio at 6th and Howard. I learned a lot more about my Filipino-American culture from that time. By working with so many diverse people, from musicians, clown artists, standup comedians, great designers, and people who actually trained in theater as well. And to this day, in 2022, I’m still learning from a lot of the new generation that’s coming out of there as well.
Why do you create? What is the purpose/values behind your art practice?
The reason why I create is just my natural love for art. I’m a big art nerd (Laughs). I love watching art, seeing art, being around art. Many different types of art and many different types of cultures. I’m very interested. It’s a way for me to understand and explore the world as well. There was a period in my life, when I was younger, that I tried to be a full time artist and not work and that was a challenge (Laughs). Now I’m a little bit more mature and understand the balance between having work and also having a practice. So it’s a challenge that’s still ongoing, even after all these years.
Ramon outside of Balay Kreative with his banner.
How would you describe Balay Kreative?
Balay Kreative is this amazing great space that’s been open to all the shades of Filipino/a/x that are in the Bay Area. I’ve been so fortunate to meet and work with a lot of talented people through this amazing space. It’s not just an art studio, it’s also a cultural center. It’s a great hub for creative ideas, and also to see a lot of people creating things in our community.
One of my favorite artists here is Cir Sayoc, and to see his work at Kapwa and the Filipino Cultural Center and all around South of Market is amazing. And seeing ChiChai’s, Vivian’s, and Cristine Blanco’s work with their murals at Kapwa. I’m just so incredibly fortunate to be in this space.
“The reason why I create is just my natural love for art. I’m a big art nerd. I love watching art, seeing art, and being around art. It’s a way for me to understand and explore the world.”
How has Balay helped you grow as an artist? How has it been like having your own studio space?
Balay has helped me grow as an artist by providing a space for me to actually work on a lot of projects this past year, especially during lockdown. Coincidentally, I was looking for a studio space so I could make puppets and some projects that were coming out because before this, I was doing all of my stuff in my kitchen and it just got too hectic, too crowded (Laughs). You can’t leave stuff around.
But hearing about this space and being able to be one of the resident artists here has made a big difference in all the great projects I’ve been able to work on here, and continue to work on. I’m really trying to take advantage of this opportunity and make as much work as possible.
Ramon in his studio space at Balay Kreative.
How has your experience been at Balay as a resident artist?
My experience as a resident artist has been a way of being amazed and learning. It’s not just about working on my craft but also being in close proximity to seeing other artisans and other makers - being able to see how actively things have changed in their practice.
Also the events that have come through, even the one this past weekend, the Open Studios. They have been an amazing way to engage and speak with others, and get feedback from others that you normally wouldn't get outside of the gallery world and outside an online experience. It’s been such an important experience for me, especially coming out of our COVID restrictions. We're still able to be in the same room and connect.
What projects have you made here in Balay?
The many projects that I have started, completed and continue here at Balay started mostly with the art installation right next to my puppet booth. That was one of the first projects that I wanted to make. Since I had my first studio, I wanted to make an interactive idea, which I called “Mabuhay friend”. And this has led to exploring other types of puppetry.
With the artist grant that I received from Balay Kreative, I was able to make the start of a puppet booth. I commissioned a young Filipina illustrator from Seattle, Ninang Nunu, to do the graphics, and had commissioned an artist and a friend’s brother based in Manila to make and design these puppets that were shipped over.
And then last year, from a San Francisco Arts Commission grant, I was able to make a short video based on a story about the Filipino Bay Area mobile DJ scene from the 90s. These four puppets [points behind him] were all made here at Balay, created by Cir Sayoc and the heads were 3D-printed by our friend, Marc OwlBoogie. We shot that video mostly here at this space, so it’s been an incredible ride so far.
What was it like to create them for the SOMA Pilipinas community?
It’s been an ongoing experience. I’m so fortunate to still know a lot of the people who have been from my generation and older who are still present in SOMA Pilipinas, from community activists to artists. And meeting a lot of the newer, younger generation as well. I really want to have them move forward with our cultural identity of being Filipinx, especially here in San Francisco.
“Being able to be one of the resident artists here has made a big difference in all the great projects I’ve been able to work on, and continue to work on. I’m really trying to take advantage of this opportunity and make as much work as possible.”
Balay Kreative’s mission is to accelerate the growth of Filipinx artistic expression in SOMA. How do you embody your Filipinx identity in your art?
I embody Filipinx identity through my art by making work that speaks directly to our people. Maybe using some of our language, I happen to be Bisayan. So incorporating some of our cultural references and some of our characters. Like a Tita character like this [holds up puppet].
Ramon with his “Tita” character.
A lot of our representation doesn’t have a lot of diversity for one, and there’s not enough of a presence in pop culture that inspires us. I want to propel forward the idea that we, as Filipinx creatives, can voice many divergent voices, from all shades of gender and sexuality, and we have a platform.
What advice would you tell your younger self? Or any advice for emerging Filipinx creatives?
Mostly to keep making work. To not stop. To continue creating your ideas, not just posting pictures of your favorite thing (Laughs). Not just watching your favorite video, but actually making videos, making anything that inspires you or someone else. It’s in the act of creating that we really become full artists. And you’re gonna make mistakes, you’re gonna be frustrated, especially with the challenge of not being able to make a living off of this, but I encourage everyone to keep going, to keep making it. And make your voices loud, especially the city of San Francisco.
“It’s in the act of creating that we really become full artists. I encourage everyone to keep going, to keep making it. And make your voices loud, especially the city of San Francisco.”
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m currently working on directing the first indoor children’s show at Bindlestiff. I was fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, and we’re doing the show at Bindlestiff Studios on May 21 and 22nd, for kids 5 years old and up.
One of the main reasons why I’m compelled to do this is there’s not enough children’s theater in the South of Market. Let alone children’s theater for Filipinx families and kids. There really isn’t. I’ve looked around [Laughs]. I know a lot of the groups here and there’s some great organizations but there is a severe lack of live theater for kids. One of my missions is to really make an impact and bring more talented people to create theater and art for kids.
(NOTE: PICKLES! HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. CHECK BACK AT BINDLESTIFFSTUDIO.ORG FOR UPDATES.)
Ramon in collaboration with young creatives.
What would be your dream project?
My dream project would be to have a whole puppet theater play that could tour nationally in different parts of the country where there are big communities of Filipinx families and kids. I also grew up in the Midwest for a bit so I know there’s Filipinx all over this country.
Whenever I meet anyone out of the Bay, everyone’s amazed to see the amount of art and theater and music that comes out from the Bay Area in the Filipino scene. There’s great representation for music, dance, and fashion in our community but there isn’t enough for children. My dream would be to have a play that would speak to Filipinx families out there, but tailored for a young audience.
Anything else you’d like to say or promote?
On June 10th, I’ll be doing my solo puppet show with this booth and a couple of these puppets for the Yerba Buena Center Gardens as an outdoor show for kids. I’ll be collaborating with DJ BiteSize for the music and she’s going to play a live set as part of the show as well. So hopefully folks in the neighborhood can come on by June 10th.
Inspired by Ramon Abad and his work? Apply to our Kreative Growth grant!
If chosen as a grantee, you will receive $3,000 - $6,000 to create and present new works of art & culture in SOMA Pilipinas. You will also receive free artist studio space, free tuition in our Kreative Growth Masterclass series, and 1:1 mentoring with industry professionals in your field of practice.
Deadline to apply is May 30, 2022 by 11:59PM PST.
Be sure to follow @balaykreative and subscribe to our newsletter to hear about Ramon’s future artwork and other artist opportunities/events! Stay tuned of our upcoming profile of Balay Kreative artist in residence, Mirage Medicinal.