Papemelroti co-founder, illustrator Robert Alejandro dies at 60

Robert Alejandro Photo from Papemelroti Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — Graphic artist Robert Alejandro, co-founder of Filipino stationery and craft store Papemelroti, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The family-run company announced the illustrator’s passing in a Facebook post.

It said, “He was a beloved brother, uncle, and friend. Robert was a vibrant, passionate spirit whose creativity, generosity, and warmth endure in the countless lives he has touched.”

“As a co-founder of Papemelroti, his visionary spirit helped shape our brand into what it is today, bringing joy and inspiration to many,” it added.

Alejandro’s alma mater was the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.

He was among the founding members of both the Communication Design Association of the Philippines and Ang Ilustrator ng Kabataan (The Illustrator of the Youth), the country’s first and only organization advocating for children’s art.

Additionally, Alejandro was host of the children’s show “Art is Kool” and gave free kids’ art workshops online during the pandemic.

The children’s art advocate also volunteered his illustrations for former vice president Leni Robredo in her 2022 presidential campaign and her Museo ng Pag-asa after the election.

“Robert’s boundless creativity and selfless spirit were at the heart of everything he did,” Robredo’s non-government organization Angat Buhay said on Facebook.

It added, “He embodied true service, using his art to inspire hope and courage.”

“Through the art he has created with Papemelroti and renowned projects he was a part of, he will be far from forgotten,” the store said.

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Alejandro was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016.

READ: The healing journey of Robert Alejandro

He was born in 1963.