The author, Ruston O. Banal Jr. is a full-blooded Betiseño and worked as a mamapil (sandpaper boy) to several furniture workshops in Betis during his highschool days. Scholarship given by the government gave him a slot to study at the University of the Philippines Diliman where he graduated magna cuma laude, Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Art History under the Theory Department last 2005.

He was then immediately hired as a faculty of Media Education, Art Appreciation and Visual Arts at the Ateneo de Manila University and a year after, as a professor of Photography 1, Asian Art History, Modern and Classical Art History as well as Post-Modern Art History at the University of the East College of Fine Arts.

He has done several photography projects and still graphics for a top TV network in the Philippines and has written articles on the history of Betis in print and electronic web.

He was a graphic designer to the ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother Series (2007).

Roughly in his mid 20’s, Banal already worked as a painting restoration assistant to UP Professor Armando Burgos-an art conservation specialist trained in Europe, in the restoration of some major paintings of Masters such as Juan Luna and National Artist Vicente Manansala. He was also a curator of some major exhibits by contemporary artists in the local art scene.

Banal was aslo the concept artist and curator of the Museo ning Betis.

He is a finalist to the most prestigious national photo contest in the country-the 2007 Philippine Airlines National Photo Competition.