Raco Ruiz’s impact on the content creation scene is impossible to ignore. Known for his feel-good videos poking fun at Manila’s conyo scene, Raco has built a following through his distinct brand of comedy and storytelling. Above all else,he is an accomplished visual artist with several solo exhibits to his name and has been drawing art for as long as he can remember.
Upon stepping into his world, you’re greeted by a colorful cast of characters inspired by his love for childhood cartoons, nature documentaries, and bright colors. But behind the chaos of it all is a message that rings true to the essence of his art, creativity shines when you just have fun.
“People sometimes forget that you have to do things just for enjoyment. It doesn’t have to have a purpose. It doesn’t have to accomplish a task because the enjoyment itself is already a huge accomplishment,” Raco explained.
Raco’s Original Characters, Razzl the Clown and Dopa the Dopamine Dependent Dalmatian
That mindset eventually manifested in the form of Dopa. Dopa represents “raw happiness” and a version of ourselves that lets creativity run free without thinking of the online judgement that comes after. Initially born to replace Razzl, the introverted clown, Raco realized that the two characters can co-exist.
He shared that “my clown character represents how he wants to stay at home and be away from what he’s scared of in the outside world. But because he now has this puppy character, he’s forced to bring himself out into the world.”
Raco puts it best when he lays down some hard truths about the world. People will always have their own perception of you and the art you create, but the best way to block this out is to let loose and just have fun.
“Why limit yourself to what actually exists when you have the capability to color outside of what exists and make it your own fantasy? I love using pink and purple. It’s kind of a rebellion against traditionally masculine colors,” explained Raco.
Behind the Scenes of Snack Attack
Raco takes his own advice when working with the Plain Sight team to bring his signature blend and drink to life.
“We’re calling the collab Snack Attack because I want something that’s aligned with colorful and fun. And oh my gosh, I think I got palpitations during [the tasting] because I was trying so many different versions of the coffee. We really settled on such a good marriage of what we wanted to do,” he shared.
For Raco, coffee is the battery that fuels his day, and a sweetened Americano is his go-to. Naturally, he wanted his signature blend and drink to reflect the sweeter flavors he enjoys most.
“Actually, Plain Sight is so informative when it comes to coffee, I really enjoyed the process. It felt like I was in a class even though it was super lax. It’s just like inviting a friend over to try their blends,” he recounted.
In his message to the people looking forward to this collaboration, Raco would love to know everyone’s feedback and to enjoy the natural high coffee brings to the table. He looks forward to hearing what flavors people find brings them comfort and nostalgia.
He explained that “Most of all I think it’s a feeling we’re trying to convey with this collaboration more than the physical product. Coffee is like a natural source of dopamine and that’s why I said it fits Dopa perfectly.”
Mark Your Calendars
The Snack Attack collaboration drops on June 21 online and at the Plain Sight HQ. Along with the exclusive blend and signature drink, the collection features a limited edition shirt, keychain, sticker sheet, and 50 art prints signed by Raco himself.
So don’t miss out on grabbing a little dose of dopamine and RSVP!
