MANILA, PHILIPPINES — “Si Robert, McCann?” asked MM Yu, an artist and a UP Fine Arts batch mate of Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas.
How many universes did Robert and his art navigate and trek in his life, defying the physical boundaries of our blue planet and his own body? Apparently, unbeknownst to many of us, more than we can count. We encountered more than we ever imagined at his wake, a “love fest,” his former creative group head Kathleen Mojica called it. More reveal themselves with each passing day. Fragmented and polarized, self-absorbed with our customized playlists, preoccupations, and like-minded cohorts we may be, and yet, our Venn diagram found common ground, confluence, comfort, and love in Robert.
Yes, MM, nag-McCann si Robert. That’s where I first worked with him, McCann’s youngest art director. Emily Abrera was Vice President for Creative, Don Dillon was President. Arnold Liong reeled me into McCann as an AE after ten months at J. Romero and when Robert joined McCann, I had moved up a bit and led the account team that handled Goodyear, Del Monte, Johnson & Johnson, Levi’s Philippines and Asia Pacific, Richardson-Vicks, and Citibank.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2016, Robert chose natural and alternative healing nutrition rather than surgery and chemo, made possible by his life partner Jetro Rafael’s dedicated research, devoted care, and wonderful cookery. Robert levelled up on pouring out his gift and made art, more art than ever before to help others. His sister, Patsy quoting their mother, said “Piniga niya.” Robert gave all.
In 2020, Robert experienced a critical period of excruciating pain, a series of complications that they thought would take his life. Robert’s younger sister, Tina, told Jetro about the Budwig diet, developed by Johanna Budwig, a German biochemist, in the 1950s. Jetro immediately studied the protocol, mixed up a batch of the Budwig diet, and gave Robert three teaspoons at bedtime. The next morning, Robert woke up pain-free. Smiling for the first time in months, Robert’s “Good morning!” greeted Jetro and Robert declared his epiphany, “I am Joy!”
Robert is Joy indeed.
My first 18 years in advertising were privileged, I grew up in the industry pre-social media, pre-wifi, pre-email, pre-three second-swipe. Work was never easy, Clients always tough, but at McCann, we were truly present for each other. Storytelling and creativity, friendships and fun flourished in ways devices could not disrupt. I witnessed that world vaporize in my next life in advertising at Harrison, spending a decade mainly on the Globe account. Surprise! Robert and Jetro were part of my Harrison season, too.
As a junior art director in the ‘80s, Robert’s first concept team partner at McCann was Marivi Soliven. Marivi called him her “Book Baby Daddy” because post-McCann days, together they birthed a series of children’s books. Robert’s talent, work ethic, and joy was the most potent of combinations. Soon, one of his first Clients at McCann, Ayala Center, wanted more of him, all of him, and he began a long engagement as their art & design go-to person, merchandising for their malls, creating even theme parks, from concept [[to execution, like Glico’s. Other universes beckoned, Robert became a correspondent for The Probe Team for 15 years. And that multiplied the portals open to him.
A few quotes from some of Robert’s closest friends in the industry:
Kathleen Mojica, McCann:
The ’80s are a blur to me now, but it was then that this fresh-faced, bright-eyed young boy came to McCann. I was creative group head on the Johnson & Johnson account, Robert was an art director on my team. His graphic style – call it child art, now widely recognized – perfectly suited the baby brands we were handling.
I learned he was the “Ro” of his family’s arts and crafts store, Papemelroti. For one of their brown paper stationery pads, he drew a line of people on the bottom border, and there I was – one of the tiny figures in the queue –bespectacled, bangs, big art bag in hand.
We lost touch for many years after he left McCann. He’d ventured forth to explore where his art took him, how else he could be of value to others. One of the rare times I ran into him, he’d grown a few white hairs. But to me, he was still that sweet, gentle boy from our J&J days. He gave me a big hug, “Hi Kaaath…love you forever!”
At The Probe Night, at the “love fest” that was his wake, the room was filled with his art. I learned a lot more about Robert’s life in those few hours listening to person after person share their thoughts and special moments with him. In life, as in death, Robert radiated love, light, creativity, optimism, good cheer. I wish I’d been able to tell him back, “Love you forever, Robert!”
Bet Dalton, McCann:
Today is mirrored with tears for Robert. But if he were here today, he’d be smiling to set his final goodbye. Rest now, dear Robert.
Jenny Villalon-Tapales, McCann:
What I remember most about those years: the fun Robert, Marivi, and I had when we were a team doing work for Johnson & Johnson. He’d pull out his rolling shelf so I’d have a seat. As AE, I shared client briefs with my creative concept team: Robert, art director, and Marivi, his copywriter partner. While Marivi would roll her eyes and complain, Robert would find a way to make the comments work and still own his art.
Even after life at McCann, Robert was always in my world. He gave seminars to teachers, guest-lectured in my undergrad and masters education classes, kept up with the interests of my kids. We talked about traveling, backpacking, making a difference, and how our whole team (Marivi, Robert, and I) ended up in some form of education.
Robert took us to Van Gogh is Bipolar and we met Jetro. I remember being extremely happy for him. We had a meal like no other – colorful, healthy, and yummy.
Letty Quizon, McCann:
From the moment he sat down for an interview for a junior art director post at McCann, I knew there was a fiercely creative spirit and a deep thinker hiding behind the sheepish smile and handsome boyish looks. During brainstorming sessions, I had just about started discussing the concept for campaigns for J&J, and he would already be in the middle of sketching a print ad or a dynamic storyboard with his cute characters. He always “got it,” he was always willing and ready to take on extra creative jobs beyond his own.
Kind, noble, and generous without limits, I could see how he threw himself into worthwhile projects like Leni-Kiko’s campaign while tenaciously fighting his cancer. An original thinker, a quiet and steadfast fighter, and a true gem of an artist. There will never be another Robert Alejandro!
Emily Abrera, McCann:
Robert Alejandro was a delight to have on the creative team. He was simply cheerful, excited, and brimming with ideas… and I mean every single day.
His work was always imaginative, as if it flowed from some magical spring in his mind. He seemed to me like a child eager to play. Robert’s playground was blank paper and a set of colored pens. He was always doodling …. his eyes would light up each time an interesting idea popped up in the discussion.
Robert was gifted, and advertising couldn’t possibly contain what he could give. He left McCann to pursue many other adventures, but would still visit us every so often to share what he’d learned. Each time, he shone brighter than the last. Robert radiated pure joy. It wasn’t possible to meet him and not love him.
Alex Arellano, Harrison:
Robert Alejandro ingredients:
- Arte: 0%
- Drama: 0%
- Talent, dedication to craft, taste: 100%
- Generosity with time and ideas: 1,000%
Levi’s was a McCann Asia Pacific regional account that I coordinated out of Manila and our first boss for this assignment was the phenomenal Mercy Corrales. Susan Dimacali was part of Mercy’s APAC retail merchandising team. Twice a year, the McCann APAC Regional Creative Task Force would design Levi’s themed in-store retail visual merch, seasonal product launch print ads, and adoption handbooks for use in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The task force was composed of creative chiefs from McCann offices in the region, among them, Kitty Lun from Hong Kong, Gerry Gentemann from Thailand, Nancy Tizon and Ding Villamayor from the Philippines, all led by Task Force Head Tomaz Mok of McCann’s international team. Robert was the youngest member of local McCann for this assignment. Miguel Bernas, and after him, Nandy Villar were my Levi’s regional account AEs. Neal Oshima would shoot the approved content. Crazy, frenzied, glorious days.
As a child, my daughter, Julia, would hang at McCann after school and Robert was her first drawing teacher. He inspired her to pursue Visual Communications at the UP College of Fine Arts. In 2017, Robert became my drawing teacher, too, at a workshop he conducted at UP Town. He made me pick up an art pen and draw again 15 years after my five years in UPFA with the Studio Arts tribe where I made new friends 20+ years my junior like MM Yu and Patricia Eustaquio, and batch mates of Julia like Raffy Lerma, Mark Nicdao, Maki Correa, Dan Matutina, Berns De Leon-Yumul, and Marielle Nadal who founded Craft MNL with husband Lex Reyes.
Marielle and Lex Reyes, Craft MNL:
Kuya Robert embodied eyes of wonder, and this would shine through each time he would come to our workshops. His eagerness to learn, and earnest expressions of amazement could truly convince anyone that making was magical.
He was one of our earliest supporters at Craft MNL, having attended our workshops the most number of times (out of anyone, we think) — from embroidery, to bookbinding, to paper marbling, to financial planning, to mosaic making, to pastillas pabalat papercutting, and more! He also taught a workshop — on finding your artistic voice. Robert told us Craft MNL was his happy place.
His tremendous generosity, kindness, and childlike wonder at the world were truly gifts. Inasmuch as it feels like such a bright light was snuffed out, Kuya Robert shared so much of the love he carried with so many others – more than enough to help light the way. We are always grateful.
Robert encouraged me in my after-advertising life as I worked to complete KidZania Manila. He was courageous and generous, a prolific and selfless volunteer artist-comrade through the political campaign travails of Otso Diretso and Team Leni-Kiko. Even after my brother lost that election, Robert helped us raise funds to help 16 farming and fishing communities that so needed support.
At Robert’s wake, I embraced dear Jetro; they had just marked 20 years of life together. I thanked Jetro for the extraordinary care he lavished on our friend in their eight year battle with cancer. Jetro introduced me to his friends as “my boss,” bringing us back to the time Robert and Jetro joined Harrison. I called Robert for help during one horrific season, friends in need, friends indeed. I needed joy. I hugged and said a prayer with his sister, Patsy, one year my senior at the UP College of Architecture, laughed with Meldy as she sang “De Colores,” a song my mom taught her in kindergarten at our pre-school in UP Village where our families were neighbors.
All throughout these 40+ years, always a joy, our beloved friend, Robert. I trust he is now pain-free and healed completely in the presence of our God who loves Robert so much more than any of us can. I can’t wait to see his sketchbooks in heaven. I pray God embraces and touches all who love Robert Alejandro with His inexplicable and boundless peace, comfort, and joy. We are legion.
