MANILA, PHILIPPINES — “If Dino had written his own obituary, it would be much cooler than this,” words from Katryna Mojica.
On July 26, 2024, a brilliant mind and compassionate heart ceased to beat.
A master storyteller who spent his life illuminating brands, how would he have written his own?
Perhaps that’s where the power of shared memories resides. Through the eyes of those who knew him best, we can glimpse the extraordinary life of Dino Mojica.
Dino, a technical advisor and Executive Creative Director at Hakuhodo Lotus in Jakarta since 2012, leaves behind a legacy etched in the advertising industry. He spent nearly a decade at Leo Burnett Manila, followed by several years at Phibious in Vietnam before joining Lotus:H.
Dino’s impact extended far beyond the realm of advertising. His work for the World Wide Fund for Nature, the “Burning Elephant” campaign, ignited conversations about the urgent issue of forest fires. He was also a pioneer in the fight against fake news, with his Telkomsel ad serving as a powerful indictment of the problem.
Those who knew Dino intimately paint a portrait of a man as remarkable as his work.
Greg Garcia, a veteran of the industry where he and Dino collaborated under Leo Burnett Manila, described Dino as a disciplined creative with an uncanny ability to transform commodities into iconic brands.
“Dino started at the bottom, so to speak. He began as a print production assistant (Leo Burnett Manila). He was a disciplined creative who understood that outstanding creative work stems from a strong copy strategy. He was one of the few creatives I’ve worked with who understood that our task is to disrupt the usual, not for the sake of awards, but to create brands out of commodities or to elevate brands into icons.”
More than 30,000 children in Indonesia have been abducted, trafficked or sexually abused.
Alan Couldrey emphasized Dino’s magnetic personality and undeniable talent. “Cool on a motorbike, rugged good looks, creative ad man, and all-around wonderful guy … almost an unfair combination. So sad to say such a sudden goodbye.”
Dino Jalandoni offers a glimpse into the dynamic and inspiring leadership of Dino. “Aside from sharing the same name and interests (smoking and drinking), Mojica was a great boss and friend. I got to Hemisphere Leo Burnett as part of a massive overhaul of the creative department. A lot of whom became the who’s who’s of advertising was there and leading this department was Dino M. It was exciting, he gave an atmosphere of fun and creativity. And he can come out with an insight that will make me go ‘Damn’
Rest well, Dino M from Dino J, Peace Out”
A powerhouse duo in the advertising world, Dino Mojica and his wife, Katryna Mojica, met while working together at Leo Burnett Manila in the mid-1990s. Katryna is currently the Regional Lead and Chief Executive of Ogilvy Hong Kong, having previously led Ogilvy offices in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Message from her colleague in Ogilvy – Reed Collins, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy APAC
“Dear Kat
Whenever I met Dino it was always together with you strolling down the street and heading off to explore Hong Kong. He was always super cool and kind and I can’t imagine what losing a soul mate must feel like. May the lifetime of memories that you made together comfort you. And that one day you’ll both meet again for another adventure.
Love, Reed”
Katryna Mojica shared a poignant reflection on their life together. Her words, filled with love and loss, capture the essence of a man deeply cherished. “We had a wonderful life. He truly helped shape the person I am today, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have shared it with him. We have countless pictures, and I wish I had captured more on video. I have several videos of him walking down the street. Some of you know our love for walking shots. But I yearn for more of his voice in this age of text.”
“Fifty-two years filled with love, color, wit, swear words, dance, art, travel, booze, bazooka, laughter, old stories, jokes, and friendship… so grateful yet … WTF… we longed for more decades…” Dina Ocampo’s heartfelt tribute echoed the sentiments of many, celebrating a life rich in love, laughter, and adventure.
Dino Mojica was more than a creative director; he was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration.
May his memory continue to illuminate the lives he touched.
