press
Bluprint Magazine;
August,2003
In Robert Alejandro's resume, his profession is listed as thus: "Artist."
But we all know that he is much more than that. Come to think of it, a single,
simple noun is not enough to describe what he is.
It is interesting to note that how Robert is known depends on the person asked.
Children know him as the funny, enthusiastic guy with bright, wide eyes who
hosts the art-worksop-for-kids TV show Art Is-Kool. The everyday, ordinary person
could point him out in a crowd and identify him as the quirky, swash-buckling
segment reporter in the Probe Team. High school and college students would probably
remember him as the artist who designs all those charming accessories at Papemelroti,
the gifts store owned and run by his family. And of course, his fellow artists,
designers, architects and businessmen commend him for his book designs and illustrations,
and his commercial and environmental graphic design, from a simple sheet of
stationery to the image and design re-vamp of an entire commercial establishment,
such as various environmental design graphics and renovations of the Alabang
Town Center and Starmall. But Robert, self-effacing as he is, still thinks of
himself as just an
old bloke who loves to doodle on the road. "I really like drawing; for
me, it is another form of documentation," he admits.
It makes people wonder, though, how Robert would have the time to do all these
projects. "Whatever I'm doing right now, that's it," he explains.
"I focus on the task at hand...it's that simple." But I think I work
pretty fast, and when I'm so into it, I enjoy it so much. I'd say, 'You need
it right now? Yes! I'll do it right now!' It's not a chore anymore." His
recent entry in the world of broadcasting, though, surprised even his closest
friends. "The (say) it's so against my personality," he admits. "But
that's the job at hand. When I get into something that is totally out of my
scope, I think, it's up to you guys, let's try it! I just like doing different
things."
Robert, as expected, keeps an open mind when asked what he would be doing in
five or ten years. "Definitely art, definitely design. It could be anything,
and I like it that way. The options are so limitless...and it's so exciting,"
he says with a smile. I'm so blessed with everything, from my clients to the
people I work with, it's so incredible."
--R. F. Medina--
The Philippine Daily
Inquirer Sept 8, 2003
ROBERT ALEJANDRO. The new "Uncle Bob"
'Kuya' Robert, a man for the children
Posted: 10:12 PM (Manila Time) | Sept. 07, 2003
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit, Contributor
Inquirer News Service
ROBERT Alejandro is Peter Pan personified.
He's turning 40 this year, but his youthful looks and exuberance defy how people
his age are usually perceived. Alejandro, a reporter on "The Probe Team,"
also hosts GMA 7's weekly 30-minute educational show, "Art is-Kool,"
launched last February. "Art is-Kool" has made a new household name
of "Kuya Robert," whose love for art and teaching makes him a comfortable
character to talk to. Whatever child-like enthusiasm you see on TV is pretty
much what you get in person. He doesn't really have a specific art hero, saying
he's always been inspired to pursue his interests his own way.
"Actually, my influence is my childhood," says Robert. "A lot
of things I do there (on 'Art is-Kool') were the things I did when I was a kid.
I'm turning forty. So I asked myself, I am going to be Uncle Bob (of the defunct
kiddie show 'Lucky Seven Club')?"
Robert was an ad agency art director for four years. "My peers at McCann
Erickson would tell their nieces and nephews, 'Kuya Robert is my friend.' And
then the niece or nephew would say, 'No, that's not possible. You're old!'"
The freelance artist had an integral hand in the family business, the Papemelroti
chain of stores, which features many of his distinct illustrations on paper
products like stationeries, greeting cards and decorations.
"I don't draw animë or superheroes," he explains. "My family
never told me what to do. When we started (the chain), I was still a student."
The artistic environment at home was very encouraging when he was growing up,
adds the artist who took up Fine Arts-VisCom in the University of the Philippines.
On "The Probe Team," he is the wandering artist, occasionally doing
impromptu ink drawings outdoors. His style is unique, cartoony and marked by
multiple candy hues, reflecting his upbeat demeanor. Through "Art is-Kool,"
he promotes the use of easily available and recyclable materials, and hopes
to teach especially those who have no chance of stepping into a museum.
"It's an opportunity to share with those types of children," he explains.
"I am happy because it's educational and it's popular. Normally, they don't
go together."
He points to a bulletin board full of children's letters and artworks. A week
or two after he teaches a lesson on "Art is-Kool," children start
sending him their works.
Probe Productions' Che-che Lazaro, Alejandro's co-worker and friend, fondly
tells a story about a certain segment that involves food, a lesson in putting
a design made of butter on a piece of bread, and then toasting the bread. "Sabi
nga ng cameraman namin nung nakita niya 'yung episode, 'Naku, magugulo na naman
'yung kusina namin nito!' Kasi, 'yung mga anak niya gustong gawin 'yung nakita
nila sa show." (The cameraman commented that his kitchen would be a mess
because his children would be doing what they saw on TV)
The Manila Times
Thursday, September 11, 2003
TV Art is cool
Robert Alejandro has become TV’s beloved art teacher
By Oliver Quingco II
IT is a sad fact that not everybody has the time or the money to spend on formal
art classes meant to teach kids to discover the fullest of their creative abilities.
Thankfully, GMA Network and Probe Productions has come up with a unique art-class-on-air
meant to help kids discover and nurture their creativity, all in the comfort
of one’s own living room.
Aired every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. on Channel 7, the 30-minute Art is-Kool is
now going on its third season (more than 26 episodes aired). Part of the attraction
for kids are the many colorful segments shown in rotation:
“Hirit Bulilit” which features kids and artworks they have made,
“Ibang Klase” where host Kuya Robert goes on location to teach art
to kids from all walks of life, “Kwentong Kinuwadro” which profiles
a children’s book illustrator, “Sining Sikat” which
profiles unique and artistic jobs worth emulating (jeepney painter, textile
designer, movie billboard painter etc.),
“Subukan Nyo!” which focuses on art experimentation and techniques,
“Feedback” where the host reads a “letter of the day”
and features the artwork that comes with the letter, “Ano’ng Balita”
which features art-related events, “Pirmasterpiece” where viewers
send in their names/signatures and Kuya Robert chooses one where he creates
a drawing on, and “Linya” where kids can draw various shapes/objects
by using just one continuous line.
Hosted by accidental journalist and artist by heart Robert Alejandro, the show
has developed a strong following among children viewers. Proof of this is the
deluge of fan mail and artworks mounted on the walls of Papemelroti Gallery
& Café, the Alejandro’s family business located along the corner
of Roces and Scout Tobias in Quezon City, where a press conference was held.
Kuya Robert (as the kids fondly call him) is no stranger to the arts. Ever since
his family put up Papemelroti which specializes in arts & crafts and all
sorts of furniture and collectibles, he has been contributing designs and ideas.
He finished Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines sometime in the eighties
and has worked as a book illustrator, an art for a major advertising agency,
a college professor and a freelance designer handling big projects such as the
Alabang Town Center, the Ayala Museum Shop, Filipino Bookstore and Starmall.
A dutiful environmentalist and a whiz at recycling, he can fashion a Christmas
tree out of a rolled up newspaper, a collage from popsicle sticks, and pop-up
greeting cards from paper scraps!
His involvement with the Probe Team came about when he was featured in the kids’
show 5 and UP and Game Plan. From there, he was cast as a reporter and has gone
on to produce three segments on his own.
“I have been with Probe Team for around four years now. Being on
TV is a job a lot of people would aspire for. As an artist, I feel comfortable
just being by myself. However, I believe that God gave me this opportunity for
a reason. I enjoy helping kids discover their talents.”
According to Robert, his hosting Art is-kool came about because one time, Ms.
Che-che Lazaro was planning on pitching an Oprah Winfrey type of show to GMA
7 with an art portion. Later on, her concept evolved into a purely art show
and he acceded to her request for him to host the show because he knew that
not all of her ideas were approved by GMA 7. But this one got accepted and Art
is-kool became a reality.
During the presscon for Art is-kool, producer Ms. Lazaro and the production
team composed of Agay Llanera and Aldrin Pacheco were on hand to lend their
support. According to Ms. Lazaro, despite the fact that they couldn’t
afford to pay Robert his true worth, he remains to be on top of everything giving
his 100-percent cooperation in all that he does.
Robert confided to the press that each 30-minute episode takes an entire day
to shoot! However, all the hard work is compensated by the letters and art works
the kids send him by mail. “The painstaking effort the kids spend in writing
me letters on their own, in forming my name out of little hearts, in the art
works they proudly show me as a result of watching the show are priceless! No
amount of money could replace these. They are my dividends.”
“The best time for me is when we have kids on the show. It’s enjoyable
because the kids say whatever comes to their minds and you can’t control
that. We have a blast.”
“I’m thankful for being given this chance to do a show that kids,
even those who are disadvantaged and those who don’t have much, can learn
from. We make sure the materials we use are affordable. Even with our sponsors,
we make them understand that the materials we feature have to be simple and
affordable. Our cameraman even requested me to look into this because his kids
were asking him to buy the materials for them.”
Ms. Lazaro announced to everyone: “Robert is a fun person to be with.
The kids love him. I always tell him I want to be like him when I grow up,”
which makes us break into hearty laughter.
We found out he is turning 40 this December. He tells a story he heard from
one of his former colleagues at the ad agency. The guy tells his nephews and
nieces, “You know, Kuya Robert used to be an officemate of mine,”
to which the kids replied, “No way. You’re not his age. You’re
old.”
Robert confesses to having no girlfriend and no plans of marrying. “I’m
too busy with work and I don’t plan my life. When it comes to that, it
happens when it will.”
To which Ms. Lazaro adds: “I do try to pair him up with as many girls
as I can recommend,” this with a naughty wink and a mischievous smile.
We were then treated to a preview of some episodes, demonstrations of Pirmasterpiece
for the kids of some of the journalists who attended the presscon, and a mini-workshop
on drawing, aside from a sumptuous meal courtesy of the Papemelroti Café.
With the coolest art show in Philippine television, art education is reaching
new heights and new audiences. Art, indeed, is-kool!!!
Phil. Daily Inquirer;
Sunday, November 30,2003
ROBERT ALEJANDRO
Freelance Graphic Artist
"The Probe Team" reporter, 2000-2003
Aside from being a Clio awardee--the Oscars of the advertising agency--Robert
Alejandro is an accomplished artist whose works include the Alabang Town Center
facade, Glico's amusement park, the Star Mall, the Filipino Bookstores and several
coffee table books. His designs are all over the gifts and products sold at
their family's popular country decor shop, Papemelroti.
He is an accidental reporter, Unlike everyone else, he never fantasized about
being on television and had no illusions about being popular. But somewhere
between art and accident, a "Probe Team" reporter was born. Robert
was invited to be a correspondent for "The Probe Team"'s sister show,
"Gameplan" and his love for sports and challenges won out.
His initial television appearance--which required him to don a g-string and
spend days learning indigenous sports with Northern tribesmen--convinced the
Probe staff that he has the natural warmth and sincerity needed to be an effective
reporter. And indeed, he has proven himself equal to Probe's expectations: climbing
the hills of El Nido to gather bird's nests, documenting the wildlife in Agusan
Marsh, joining performance artists in Baguio, becoming a nude subject for a
painting session and risking hazing in pursuit of his stories.
"I did the light stories because I'm a light person," he says of his
Probe stint. "The people here were very supportive. Once, we did a story
about trash in Sikatuna Village. It took like 45 takes before I could get it
right and this was under the intense heat of the sun. I wanted to cry and so
did the camera man. Love (Anover, my producer) wanted me to memorize (a spiel
in Tagalog). But I don't speak it well and I was nervous, and I thought that
in her head, Love was probably thinking, 'This is the worst reporter I've ever
handled.' Still, everyone kept saying, 'Kaya mo iyan, kaya mo iyan.' (you can
do it)."
The Philippine Daily
Inquirer, Saturday, August 31, 2002
"PROBE'S" ROBERT ALEJANDRO FUSES ART WITH TV REPORTING
by Ronald G. Mangubat
The "Probe Team's" Robert Alejandro never imagined himself to be a
TV reporter. In fact, his five-page curriculum vitae is devoid of any broadcasting
background and only lists his professional affiliations with the art world.
Loner
A former art director at McCann-Erickson Philippines, Robert's work revolves
around designing book covers, doing graphics, art design and renovation for
theme parks, malls, bars and restaurants. Describing himself as a shy loner,
this UP fine arts graduate would rather tinker with his computer and be absorbed
in his universe of colors, paint brushes pensils and sketchpads rather than
deliver his spiels on camera.
But when he found himself doing just that three years ago, he took it as a divine
cue and taught himself to learn and enjoy the art of TV reportin g.
For Robert, everything happened by accident. A few years ago, Probe's "Five
and Up" children's program featured him as the artist and son of the owners
of Papemelroti chain of stores who designed children's books. A few weeks after
that, he was invited to be a guest host in another program, "Gameplan,"
and later, was offered to be an on-cam reporter for "The Probe Team."
Hesitant
"I was very hesitant to do it at first because I was not interested in
television, my Tagalog was very poor, and I'm shy'" Robert reminsces.
When shooting time came, and Robert found himself in the company of Che-che
Lazaro, Karen Davila and Love Anover, he virtually froze. "Sabi ko sa sarili
ko, ano'ng ginagawa ko dito? During the take, Karen would encourage and instruct
me and say, deliver your lines with conviction, Robert, and I'd go 'Oh, my God,
ano ba 'tong napasukan ko?"
And true enough, when he first watched himself on TV, he felt like throwing
up. "Walang halong biro, pero nag-turn talaga ang tiyan ko," he laughingly
recalls.
This "baptism of fire" only lasted for awhile, and Robert soon found
himself enjoying his work. He likes the travels that go with his job, and has
become more comfortable appearing before the TV cameras. His innate curiosity
has also resulted in a number of good interviews, eleciting praises from the
show's producers, but from the viewing public as well.
It was his drawings that drew favorable feedback from "Probe's" viewers.
During location shoots, Robert would bring his pen and sketchpad, sits in one
corner and draws a striking scene.
"At first, we didn't think of including my drawings in the show, but sometimes,
the camera would capture me sketching and the audience got curious. So after
getting some positive feedback, the producers decided to show it. And I told
them since I'm a novice reporter, pag-drawing lang talaga ang alam k ong gawin
ng magaling."
TV Shoots
Robert's artworks are expressed in different media. There are pens and pencil
sketches, watercolor paintings, and charcoal and crayon drawings that he painstakingly
rendered during his memorable TV shoots. Samples of his subjects include child
sampaguita vendors (a favorite "Probe" story of his), a lighthouse
in Capones Island, Zambales, underwater scuba-diving scenes, a baby ostrich
in Cagayan de Oro, portraits of children in Agusan, etc.
Viewers say these artworks added impact to "Probe's" episodes because
Robert's images enhance the tone, hue and drama of the stories.
And with the program's tight editing and panache in story-telling, the fusion
of Robert's artwork and his reportage truly becomes a moving audio-visual experience.
Currently, these artworks are being exhibited at the Papemelroti Cafe on the
Roces Ave., Quezon City and have been ganerating visitors from various walks
of life.
The consummate artist is now part of the local TV world and has found himself
already being recognised in public places. "At first, I don't know how
to react because I'm really shy, but my parents told me to smile and say hello
to the people. Otherwise, I might be branded as suplado."
This new celebrity status, however, does not stop the 38-year-old artist from
doing the simple things he loves, like taking public transportation, riding
the MRT, going to malls and watching movies. "I love my freedom at ayoko
ng naka-kahon. I'd rather quit my job than change my current lifestyle,"
he avers.
Hardwork
His stint with "Probe" is hard work, but Robert enjoys every minute
of it. He says he has grown a lot and gets a high from their out-of-town shoots.
"I tell you, this thing that Che-che is doing is just like a minstry. There's
no economic value but the things that I learn from the stories that we make
and the goodness of the people I meet really touch my soul."
Robert cites a small fishing village in Bataan as an example of a story that
moved him: "Pinangangalagaan talaga nila yung mga turtle eggs at humahanap
sila ng other source of income para lang ma-preserve ang buhay ng mga turtle.
Mahirap sila but they're doing good work. Itong mga ganitong kwento yung kailangang
isigaw mo talaga sa bayan at sabihing maganda at magaling ang ginagawa nila."
Through his travels, Robert has also proven that the Philippines is one extraordinary
beautiful country. "Sobrang ganda ng ating bansa. At mababait ang mga tao,
lalo na sa probinsya. Ang nakaka-depress nga lang, marami ring problema ang
bansa natin at wala tayong political will," he sighs.
Aside from these discoveries, robert is also slowly getting interested in the
art of video production. He explains: "As an artist who creates and works
with visuals, I also got fascinated with post-production work. I'm praying about
this and I believe that since God put me in 'Probe,' I don't think it's just
reporting. Who knows? I might venture into other fields."
Portolio
For someone whose work portfolio includes the design of Alabang Town Center,
Metropolis Star, Star Mall and the Ayala Museum, Robert remains surprisingly
simple. He has no vices, doesn't like to go to parties, and refuses to attend
art exhibit openings.
"I'm really an introvert who just projects as an extrovert when I'm on
cam," he says in jest.
His close friends compare him to a Polyanna who always says good things about
people and doesn't engage in malicious talk. When asked if he has an artist's
temper and tinge of madness, he jokes, "hindi pa ba crazy yung wala akong
bisyo, di mahaba ang buhok ko at wala akong balbas?"
He advises parents who have children with artistic tendencies to encourage and
praise their kids. "Kasi, when I was a child, I'd draw on the walls of
our house, pero kahit minsan hindi ako pinagalitan. My notebooks would be filled
with my doodles, but I never got reprimanded. So I was encouraged more to express
myself through drawing."
Simple things make Robert happy. A smile, a friendly call, and positive words
even from strangers make his day. "Minsan, when I get sad over a lot of
things, mayroong stranger na bigla na lang lalapit sa akin at sasabihing ang
galing-galing mo sa 'Probe.' That brightens my day na. Lalo na pag sinasabihan
ako ng ang galing mong mag-drawing, ha? Solved na ang araw ko!"
This fusion of art and TV reporting makes Robert Alejandro's life extra-meaningful
these days.
The Manila Chronicle,
Sunday, March 26,1995
ART IN THE PLAY ROOM
by Harriet Ann Dy
"I generally don't pass up opportunities to draw," says the youngish-looking
man as he lugs up a big black portfolio crammed with an assortment of stationeries,
sketches, postcards, book covers, calling cards, ad copies, album covers and
even postage stamps.
It is a breezy Thursday afternoon and we are seated across Robert Alejandro,
a thirtysomething design artist who speaks, dreams and lives art. Listening
to Robert talk about his art is like watching paint invade a blank canvas. The
moment he speaks, colors and designs flow spontaneously out of his mouth. Even
his filofax was not spared. On his less busier days, he even had pop-up designs
jumping out of his planner.
"I have so many things to say, no?" he asks suddenly, cutting himself
short. "I really get passionate and excited when I talk about my work."
The "Ro" in Papemelroti
Born to the imaginative clan behind the very successful Papemelroti chain of
novelty shops, Robert's talent is almost generic. So ingrained was he with art
that he cannot even remember when he exactly began to draw. "I have been
drawing ever since I can remember," he says knitting his eyebrows. "I
remember one time when I was four years old, I was sick and drew on our wall.
Ginawa ko siyang diary ko." In school, he became a favorite choice as class
artist. Small wonder he took up fine arts (major in Visual Communication) when
he entered the State University in the early 80's.
Even then he would secretly scour want ads to assuage his creative urges. "Once
I went to this agency and told them I wanted to have experience," he recounts.
"I was assigned to do a brochure for kitchen appliances. I remember pa
nga they gave me a pair of rubber shoes--Robertsons rubber shoes pa yata--as
payment for my services."
Sketching Success
After graduation, he worked briefly with a greeting card company before moving
on to McCann-Erickson. He quickly rose from the ranks and became one of the
agency's youngest art directors. An ad he created for Blue Diamond Almonds made
it as finalist for the Clio awards, the most prestigious award in the American
advertising industry.
An avowed sports buff, Robert is really such a prodigious drawer that his career
"could have gone where I didn't want it to." While working at McCann-Erickson,
he was assigned to do a series of fashion illustrations for a shoe chain. Surprisingly,
the same drawings found their way to a fashion design competition, where he
ended up as finalist. "Suddenly, there were these designers in front of
me, telling me I had to reproduce what I had drawn because they were going to
give me models daw. I was flabbergasted. I told them, 'Hey, I'm just an
illustrator'," he recalls. Unsurprisingly, he backed out at the last minute.
Later on, a friend recommended him to do banners for Ayala Land Inc. (ALI).
Impressed with his work, ALI commissioned him again, this time to do the "whale
murals" that presently adorn Glorietta's walls.
The best, however was yet to come. Before long, this Ayala suki would be a candidate
to design Glico's Amusement Center in Quad. It only took him three days and
some of his inherent creativity to leave even Fernando Zobel impressed. Needless
to say, he bagged the project.
"Ayala has helped me so much. They're the first who got me to do banner
and mascot designs," he says. "(In a way), I wanted to open these
business people's minds to try artists of higher calling. Because you see, whom
do they normally hire? Interior designers, architects but hardly do they ever
ask artists to design."
As these weren't enough, other friends like Bookmark publisher Lory Tan would
ask him to design some of his books. "Some are okay, some I'm not proud
of," says this down-to-earth artist candidly. Another friend from the Company,
a local singing group also requested him to design the cover of their newest
album titled Harmony. Incidentally, his design recently won for Best Album Cover
in the recent Aliw Awards.
Early last year, a piece of orange art paper with two pieces of doodle-filled
filofax pages were all he needed to bag another major design challenge--Kindertown
in Alabang Town Center.
"I'm relly glad because I have the pick of the best projects anybody can
have," he says earnestly. All these stuff that I'm doing, they're all dreams--dreams
I couldn't even think of but they come."
Coloring Creativity
With projects like these, it's hardly amazing that Robert does not fit the mold
of a "brooding and serious artist." "I have too much blessings
to be angry," he says, laughing heartily. "In fact, people call us
(together with other Ilustrador ng Kabataan artists and good friends Joanne
de Leon and Beth Parocha) mga artists na walang angst.
But despite having done a broad range of projects from amusement parks to shopping
mall design, Robert still feels there's adequate room for zany ideas. A Picasso-inspired
jeepney, Manila life on manholes and a disco version of Penguin Cafe are just
some of his "dream" projects. "Yung jeepney, decorated parang
si Picaso gumawa. I also want to draw Manila life on manholes. Kumbaga,
make it 90's," he opines. "Also, I would like to design a kind
of cultural disco club. (I think) it's really an incredible concept that nobody
has done before.."
As a footnote, he adds thoughtfully: "I think you can do anything with
design. You can change people's minds, educate, inform. It's so powerful, that
at the same time not in a forcing-through-kind-of-way."
WT Style, January
1995
ROBERT ALEJANDRO: DESIGNING HIS AND CHILDREN'S WORLD
by Arsi A. Baltazar
What do you do when you meet a "children's book illustrator"? First,
you look whether his hands are clean or not. Children's book illustrators use
their hands a lot of ways, so a lot of things get into them like ink, paint
and dirt. Second, you look at the way he looks like. Children's book illustrators
may look like they've been glued to their drawing pads for a long time--they
either wear thick eyeglasses or blue, green or brown contact lenses and stare
at you, blankly. Third, you listen to how they spea k, though chances are they
don't speak much because they spend a lot of, if not most, their time imagining!
What do you do when you meet "children's book illustrator" Robert
Alejandro? First, you won't look at his hands because they look okay. Second,
you will love the way he looks. He's quite young and goodlooking and he doesn't
wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, and third, he speaks a lot, has a very good
PR and won't give you a dull moment ever.
So was our interview with him one balmy afternoon at the Alabang Town Center,
base of his latest creation, Kindertown, a haven of a shopping mall especially
designed for kids. Here, each store entrance is designed with animal and cartoon
characters, attractive enough for kids to play around and and imagine themselves
to be in some kind of wonderland. "It took quite sometime for us to create
something like this," says Robert. "Children fascinate me and give
me the inpiration to create things they like and e njoy."
Robert says his ardent desire to make children happy stems from his childhood,
"I had a very happy childhood. My parents would take me and my sisters
to fun places, one of which is Luneta. I really enjoyed it especially at daytime
when people would just be moving. I would just sit and look all at the activity
surrounding me and it fascinated me because i love to watch things move."
He studied at the UP college of Fine Arts where he graduated in 1984. Then he
worked at the Cacho Publishing house where his talent in drawing for children's
book came to life. "I was just having a ball when I was assigned certain
storybooks. I just created whatever the stories called for and the resulting
books came out so well I couldn't believe I drew them."
After his stint with Cacho Publishing, Robert worked as designer for Gibson
Greeting Cards which he describes as a "rewarding" experience. then
he made a bigger step towards the big league when he worked as art director
for McCann-Erickson, one of the biggest advertising firms in the world. "I
enjoyed myself there, too, but somehow, my work really turned out to be
real serious work. In an ad agency, client tells you what they want and things
have to come out as they say or they reject your work. At a certain point, I
felt it was not my kind of ball game anymore to continue. All I wanted really
was to design, draw and create things for the satisfaction of children. So,
I left," he adds.
After making that bold step, Robert was suddenly flooded with offers to work
on various projects. "When I was commissioned to create something out of
bare space, my imagination ran wild! It was a real dream come true! Now, when
I visit Glico's Great Adventure (theme park) and see the kids enjoy all the
rides and games, it makes me wonder how that space came out to be as fun-filled
and adventurous. It just makes me ecstatic!"
Some of the noteworthy projects that came his way are: Time Out Video Arcades
located at SM Megamall, SM City and Ever Gotesco and Toy Town, a toy store also
at the Quad. This year, Robert will fly to the South to supervise another great
theme park located at the Ayala Commercial Center in Cebu.
"I actually designed Papemelroti's new look," he says. "When
it started, the store were quite dark wood. After some time, I suggested we
lighten the store by changing the color of the wood. So we used a lighter
shade and it really feels more comfortable now." Robert redesigned
all the stores and very recently finished the Quad branch using recycled wood.
Robert, now 30, says his life has just started. "There is so much work
to be done to be able to make the world a better place to live in. I have this
dream of designing really beautiful sidewalks, lamp posts and even manholes--things
that would make people appreciate the things they normally ignore." For
him designing the earth, though farfetched, is vital in giving its inhabitants
the inspiration to go on with life and be creative in whatever field they choose.
If that statement sounds like a wish (that eventually comes true) of a character
from a fairytale book, who can argue with a children's book illustrator? Robert
Alejandro, take a bow.--
The Manila Bulletin,
Sunday; November 22,1992
by Sienna S. So
HE PAINTS, DREAMS ON HIS MURALS AND CRUSADES FOR THE PLANET EARTH
Think "artist" and conjure long-haired eccentrics with artistic temperaments
as wild as their clothes and lifestyles.
In scruffy khakis and ratty Chuck Taylor's, clean-cut Robert ALejandro does
not fit the mold. Fair and well-scrubbed, he looks at 28 like a college boy.
Countenance: sunny. Hardly your usual raving artist. He says, " You don't
know me very well."
He just might be an oddball. Awake at five a.m., he works out at seven and sleeps
promptly at nine p.m. Mind-boggling, what with night running, mountain climbing,
lots of sleeping ("If I lose any sleep, my work suffers"), and eating
("plangganas of pasta"), and lots of gifted working on his art.
What makes him tick?
Credit his family. He is the "ro" in "Papemelroti" (with
siblings Patsy, Peggy, Meldy and Tina) and product designer of the family's
chain of rustic stores selling delightful, environmentally-friendly bric-a-bracs.
The close-knit family is devoutly religious, collectively creative and yes,
very wholesome.
Freelance artist Cherry Pinpin (one of his "evil" friends) calls him
"The Lad" and "Peter Pan." "We try to corrupt him,
every chance we get," she laughs. "But he's incorruptible!" A
chink in the armor? "Probably his leather fixation. He has this thing for
leather bags."
Impish naivete, one writer called it,Robert's little dreamer-boy aura
that charms as it befuddles. In a day and age when wholesomeness is endangered,
Robert has loads. And he's set it loose in his prodigious works.
Notice all those Makati banners and that omnipresent Ayala logo, as well as
the playful birds, bees and huge giraffe piping "Quad III, Quad II"
on the mall's walls? What about the murals of somber-blue whales and pale corals
and shells? Cap the tour with a jungle-feel-of-a-bumper boat-ride in Quad's
spanking new entertainment center, Glico's Great Adventure.
Everything in the educational park--architecture, interiors, down to the vinyl
tiles, is a product of his imagining. Voila! It's a piece of wonderland in urban
Makati because Fernando Zobel fancied his work. And refered him to so many clients
faster than he can say, "I wanna go to Europe!"
All work and no play make big little boys want a vacation. "Next year I'm
really going to europe," he says wistfully.
What he really wants is to study there, "to take in the culture and strut
my stuff", he says lightly.
On a serious note, he contemplates, "We have so much talent here. I want
Manila to be known for that, not just the bad stuff."
Sems he's started already. UP Fine Arts' neighboorhood wunderkind, Robert founded
INK (Illustrador Ng Kabataan), a group of artists/illustrators of children's
books.
He illustrated the whimsical children's book-for-adults, "The Unicorn"
and the ethnic legend "Kung bakit Umuulan." Others-- book cover for
"Lasa", the "Balik Bayong" poster and soon, a coffeetable
book on Philippine churches and the British Airways Christmas card. Come yuletide,
Makati will be alit with the Robert wand.
Into anything and everything, no wonder Bookmark publisher and good friend Lory
Tan calls him a "genius."
Four years at McCann-Erickson almost made him art director, but he chose to
strike out on his own as it was rather limiting.
"I felt I was doing mediocre work, and that's the saddest thing for an
artist." Why did he stay so long then? "It was hard to break away,"
he says. "They were so good to me. Imagine, I was the only one who could
go home at 5."
Hardly shabby is his portfolio: one print ad was finalist in New York's Clio
awards. even his calling cards are mini-works of art--two are in a glossy Japanese
book of artsy personal cards. And word has it that Asiamagazine might feature
him.
The secret lies not so much in his obvious wealth of talent. "There are
many good artists, " he says. "but it's hard to find good AND resposible
ones."
Old-time clients remain friends, and Robert nurtures these relationships. "Dapat
may past kami, para may future," he analogizes. then mock-mournfully: "Kaya
lang, that's the problem. Minsan, mahirap nang mag-break."
Unabashedly, very competitive, one time, he joined a fashion designing contest
"just to see what would happen."
So he did come off-beat Gaultier take-offs. And won! Inno Sotto and Ben Farrales
loved his work, and wanted him sent to Japan for the finals.
"I thought, ah, wait, I'm getting sidetracked here," he says remembering.
"When I told them I was an illustrator, Ben Farrales was none too pleased.
So I backed out." He maintains though, that just because he isn't a fashion
designer doesn't mean he can't design clothes. "No one can tell you what
you can and cannot do."
So, what else would he like to do?
"When I'm old and gray and no one will hire me anymore, maybe I'll paint."
And travel--the only reason, he says, whe he wants to earn lots of money. (Not
to forget his passion for big, expensive books, "with the shiny pictures".
he bought one for PHP4,000)
Sketching on provincial location for a book, he relates, wide-eyed, "People,
streetchildren, would come and watch me draw. I'm glad-- they're not intimidated
the way they are with photographers.
Without pomp or affectation, his art extols nature and celebrates family, friendship
and the simple pleasures of childhood.
Unapologetic in his idealism, courteous to a fault, rather quaint, Robert is
good old-fashioned unusual.
And rightly happy and content. Munching on a turkey sandwich at a deli, he says,
"I love this place for the music. Don't you just love Pavarotti?"
--
Daily Globe; Saturday,
May 9, 1992
ROBERT ALEJANDRO: A MAGICAL, MYTHICAL MYSTERY TOUR
by Marie T. Dimapilis
A wellspring of talent. In a nutshell, Robert Alviola Alejandro, he with the
impish grin and boyish features, is all that and more.
Bet you didn't know this dynamo did the Shakey's and Pizza Hut menus and layouts,
the British Airways Christmas 1991 campaign, the Blue Diamond nuts print ads
(a finalist in the 1990 Clio Awards in New York), created some trendy and envirnmentally-conscious
Papemelroti kraft paper postcards/wrappers/whatnot, designed the cover,
did layout and illustrations for Doreen fernandez and Edilberto Alegre's book
Kinilaw, as well as other children's books. And the cute, smart animals that
"dominate" tha vast kid and young adult playground that is Quad II.
There's more. This blur of energy, in preppy attire (jeans, grey tee, long-sleeved
striped shirt and sneakers, with a leather satchel-cum backpack and belt bag
for added prep school impact). brims with enthusiasm and ideas. Now 28, Robert
is currently a product designer for Korben Corporation, the family-owned
firm running the Papemelroti chain of giftshops.
The fourth child in Ben and Socorro Alejandro's brood of five ( the others are
Patsy, Peggy, Meldy and Tina--the inspiration behind the hip Papemelroti novelty
stores) remembers sketching like mad as a kid. "When I was bored, I'd practically
fill the back pages until the drawings reached the front!"
A little boy lost in a kingdom given free rein to create as he pleases. This
is probably how the brains behind the playful Ayala Center banners, the giraffe-having-ten,
whales and dolphins murals feels about the dizzying prospects given him. "I
feel so schizo," smiles Robert, as he leads us to the fourth floor of the
new Quad II, where a theme playground for kids of all ages, Glico's great Adventures,
is currently a-building. This is a designing dream come true, a pet project
he's worked on for over a yeart, supervising practically everything from elevation
to colors, lights.
"How often are you asked to design an amusement park?" Robert cheerfully
thinks aloud. "When people talk about my work, I get so excited. Amusement
parks today look so seedy. When kids tell their moms to take them there, the
mothers ask, 'Are you sure there aren't any perverts?' We're going the opposite
direction. My ideal is Disneyland. Another thing is the educational slant. We
have a captive audience out there."
After completing his fine arts degree from the University of the Philippines
in 1984, Robert accepted a low-paying job as artist in one printing firm creating
coloring books. Then came a rewarding four-year stint with McCann-Erickson
Philippines, where he started as visualizer until he became the ad agency's
art director.
"Those were the best years," he axes nostalgic." "I really
recommend advertising as training ground. I met so many people and the training
was invaluable."
He's currently up to his neck doing four book projects with Lory Tan of Bookmark,
one of which is a volume on local churches. "We've been travelling a lot.
At the end of an Iloilo trip, puno na ang sketchpad ko!" Robert also did
the handwritten text and illustrations for Marivi Soliven's children's book
The Unicorn and playright Rene Villanueva's Kung Bakit Umuulan.
An active member of the Ilustrador ng Kabataan (INK), a group of children's
book illustrators, Robert believes in upgrading their quality. "Filipino
children, laging komiks ang nakikita. Help educate them, at the same time, professionalize
the craft."
This inveterate "workaholic whose concentration right now is to finish
that amusement park," says he longs for the day when he can rejoin his
fellow UP mountaineers (he's scaled the heights of Mt. Makulot, Mt. Cristobal
and Mt. Banahaw). "But work gets in the way. I miss the challenge. Yet
it's nothing compared to what the others have climbed! I also want to windsurf..." And
be able to do a marathon run again.
"I never had a day when I didn't do anything. Come to think of it, the
day I quit McCann, I did nothing but sit in front of the TV set," he admits.
"It was really different."
Philippine Daily Inquirer; Saturday, May 2, 1992
Saturday Special: A Spread on Fun
by Mozart A.T. Pastrano
"He's a genius," says Bookmark publisher Lory Tan. "He's a living
treasure!" agrees a well-known writer-editor whose husband is an influential
advertising executive. "He's terrific, so very, very wonderful!" exclaims
even Manila's distinguished cultural historian Doreen fernandez. "Obviously,"
quips an art director known for her clinical objectivity, "he's the Richard
Gomez of the art scene at the moment."
And his name is Robert A. Alejandro.
Robert who?
You may not know it, but this 28-year-old Fine Arts graduate of the University
of the Philippines in diliman (Class of '84) is paintings the town red. And
bubbly blue. And orange, peach, yellow, tan, green. Green as in he's on his
way to earning the big bucks.
He's the guy who designed the new Ayala Center logo. And all the Ayala
Center banners fluttering in the heartland of yuppie Makati.
The playful giraffe that greets you on the wall as you enter the spruced-up
Quad from Park Square II, that's his work, too. As weel as the dreamily blue
dolphins, whales, and big butterfly fish lolling across the sleek shops on the
second floor. And, of course, those leaves-and-shells murals in feminine pastels
at the lobby as you leave Quad on your way to Shoemart.
Best of all, he was handpicked to design tha amusement center on the top floor
of Quad II. with no background on interior design or architecture, Alejandro
impressed Fernando Zobel and Fun Corp. with his initial four drawings on what
he thought would make for an engaging and educational emusement park for kids.
Which means a bumper ride with visuals of endangered animals in the country,
a roller coaster ride with a Medieval feel, a video area watched from side to
side by such scientists as Einstein and Galbileo--and much, much more.
He is also one of Bookmark's prized designers. the books he has designed are
talk-of-the-town items: the trailblazing Kinilaw (1991) and the derivative children's
story Unicorn (1992).
What is so refreshing about Alejandro's works is that they exude an impish naivete
that appeals to the children in all of us.
A New York-based design firm has even asked him to do packaging designs for
such products as over-the-counter medicines, designer plates and wine labels.
"But this is very bad for me," Alejandro grins. "I'm doing all
this extra work while neglecting my main responsibility."
He means the family business. Which is Papemelroti (accent on third syllable),
that chain of cutie-pie shops selling homey brown stationeries made from recycled
paper and other knick-knacks. Although in charge of product design for the chain,
Alejandro is manager of the Robinson's Galleria branch, which he designed himself.
(He's designing the upcoming branch at SM Megamall.) "I haven't been to
the store lately," he rues. "What a naughty boy."
Wrong, kid.
Unlike the other young artist on the scene who are pa-mysterious, pa-outrageous,
pa-cerebral epek, Robert Alejandro is the boy-next-door you can bring home to
Mom: clean, simply garbed in the good old basics (shirts, jeans, and squeaky
sneakers), healthy (he swims, runs, lifts weights, climbs mountains), articulate
and well-informed about most evrything (conversations with him range from the
psychological effects of certain colors to where to buy the best turkey sandwich
in town), unwavering in his commitmbent to the moral truths, and unconsciously
honest.
"I'm dirt cheap that's why they get me," he'd say.
The only boy in a brood of five--the family enterprise Papemelroti stands for
siblings Patsy, Peggy, Meldy, Robert, and Tina--is grateful for the encouragement
and discipline he has had from his family, saying,"My parents have taught
us the virtue of an honest day's work. All of us are involved in the family
business, including our driver, who's in charge of delivery. Since all of us
kids can draw, we help out in the designs. Competition thrills me. We've learned
to just shut up and do our jobs."
Henry sy, with whom they've been negotiating for the latest Papemeroti branch,
has in fact taken to calling the Alejandros "the Happy Family."
It's been two years since this new kid on the block left the advertising firm
McCann-Erickson, where he worked for four years. "I have accomplished more
as an artist now that I'm on myu own. Now I do what I want, I can express myself,
my thoughts, my ideas-- without worrying what everybody above me will think.
I don't even have to work with someone who's not nice. I am happy, just me and
my leather bag and a car that works. Yeah, I have no time for someone special
right now. but what's the hurry?"
His dreams? "I want the Philippines to be a country that appreciates good
design. Like, I want to design Picasso jeeps, Abueva jeeps, you know. As for
myself, I want to travel. That's the only reason why I want to earn lots
of money--so I can go to Europe and study (their designs). Although getting
study grants would be much appreciated, thank you."
Before the world, though, he first intends to take the Philippines by storm.
His concern for the envirnment has urged him to design the Balik-Bayong poster
for free. The kiddie Planet Patrol (c/o Papemelroti) was his idea, too. And
for the million Inquirer readers, he was commissioned to illustrate one whole
page in full color for today's cover. Or haven't you noticed?
ROBERT ALEJANDRO: A CHILD AT HEART
by Erel Cabatbat
After having enough trouble braving the rainy weather, I finally reached the
house at Tierra Pura Village, tandang Sora, Quezon City expecting that the worst
is yet to come.
A maid answered the door, and after inquiring if robert Alejandro is in, she
disappeared for a while. A few seconds later, the door suddenly opened. A man
in white shirt, basketball shorts and slippers asked me to come in and with
a big warm smile said, "Hi! I'm robert. I'm an artist!" Well, how's
that for an icebreaker?
While the title artist tends to trigger the onrush of fearsome images, Alejandro
appeared like the boy next door. He had a ready smile and was extremely apologetic
("I'm sorry our house is a mess." it was fine with me, but four times
in the first two minutes?).
After the brief introduction, Robert lead me downstairs to show me his works.
The room was full of clocks mounted on several horse figures painted in
pastel colors. There were books, cut outs, papers and other things that usually
clutter a typical artist's workplace.
So I finally met one of the five talented brother and sisters behind Papemelroti
(the tongue-twister is actually a combination of the first syllables of the
names of the Alejandro siblings Patsy, Peggy, Meldy, Robert, and Tina). While
most who dabble in creative pursuits are either so full of themselves, or floating
in their own self-conjured circumstance, Alejandro is deeply fettered to the
world around him, his feet are planted firmly on the ground.
The first few minutes that I was with him, I discovered that chatting with him
is like talking to a kid. But that impression vanished in the next few minutes
when he showed me his works: from the pragmatic ones (calling cards, corporate
logos, doodles) to his more complex creations (shop layouts, amusement and theme
park designs, architectural elevations, book and magazine lay-outs, card and
book covers and many more).
"Actually i got my start (as a visual artist) when ayala Corporation asked
me to do an amusement park for them. And they liked it," alejandro says.
and after earning his spurs designing cards and other novelty items for the
family-owned Papemelroti ("I literally grew up with paint all over my body,"
he tells), it came as no surprise that the Ayala people adored his work. Since
then, Alejandro has been one of the most in-demand visual artists in the country
today.
The projects kept on pouring. "I did murals (for the Ayala Museum), I designed
an amusement park (Glico's), architecture elevations for Eureka! (at Megamall),
book lay-outs for a German author, design for a magazine, a calendar and many
more," Alejandro adds.
His drawings are uncomplicated but visually entertaining. His subjects are simple
but defined. The colors are lively; the mood, vibrant; and the texture, exciting.
His sketches of whales, dolphins and other animals are funny, lovable and distinctly
done. Moreover, looking at his work for the first time after knowing him, brought
back a feeling that I felt while rummaging through a display of cards inside
a little shop in Ali mall when I was in my grade school days.
But the appeal of Alejandro's work lies in its ability to capture the innocence
of days gone by. His works are peopled with characters that warm the heart,
like doodles made by a child. There are rotund couples in baro't saya and barong
Tagalog, children looking out the window whose faces are illuminated by a parol,
a heart on wings flying over rooftops, a jeepney blazing in colors, and even
depictions of characters from the national hero's El Filibusterismo done like
paper cutouts.
Looking at his accomplishments though, there is nothing adolescent about Alejandro's
works. He has earned critical reviews and praises for his works on several books
such as The Unicorn, Treasures of the Philippine National Museum, Great Churches
of the Philippines, the award-winning A Field Guide to Whales and Dolphins inthe
Philippines, The Philippines in the 19th Century: A Collection of Prints, Blood
Wedding, Kinilaw and many more.
"I always believe that once you do a good job, it just goes on and on,"
he explains.
When asked about what he expects from his works, Alejandro says that all he
wants is to make people enjoy his work. "I'm not really conscious about
the subjects I draw. First of all, I like people to appreciate my work, so I
guess that counts out a lot of abstract work because a lot of people can't appreciate
that. They don't even have to know me. For example, they can enjoy my amusement
park without knowing who did it...I don't care about that. That's what I like."
It is very hard, however, not to notice the talent behind numerous outstanding
works. Considering that before the theme park explosion hit the country a couple
of years back, Alejandro was already there. He was even asked to do a building
for Fort Bonifacio.
"I was so excited. i love doing things that I haven't done before. As long
as it's art, it's alright with me."
Although his subjects vary, it always touches on Filipiniana presented in a
contemporary setting. "I don't like to design for just the five percent
of the population. I want to do something more Filipino, something that will
cross borders." Somehow, he is on the right track in achieving his goal.
He is a founding active member of a group of visual artists called "Ilustrador
ng Kabataan" (INK) which, among other things campaigns for the preservation
of whales, dolphins, turtles and other endangered species. "We are also
trying to make books accessible and more affordable to our children," he
added. (An artist with a social consciousness!)
In a world where money dictates the collective consciousness, this may sound
extremely idealistic. But Alejandro sticks to his guns. And most people that
have worked with him agree.
For his goals he has this to say: "Everything that I want to do I'm doing
it right now. But still, I want to design a night club, go to Mindanao and Turtle
Islands, get an art scholarship grant to Europe perhaps and show the world how
great Filipino artists are. I guess nothing is impossible."
After the interview, I began to understand why Alejandro's works are great and
how easy it is for him to express what he feels. No matter how simple or complex
his artworks may appear, there is a common thread that binds them together,
there is always something that makes them popular to an audience whether be
it a kid or a 50-year-old man. I strongly feel that is the child in him.
How else could you explain the unabashed vibrancy of his works, of his optimistic
outlook, his eagerness to draw, his enthusiasm to create visual wonders (that
some of us find so hard to do)? It seems the child in him never grew up.
And that is what sets him apart. No matter what he does, the kid in him always
shines.