Artistry, fatherhood, and magis: The story behind the UK Mom's Choice Award of Fine Arts faculty Meneer Marcelo

Meneer Marcelo of the Department of Fine Arts brought home the Mom's Choice Award UK for his illustrations in Santa's Lost Buttons, a children's book published last year.

As a young father, he was exposed to children-related articles, anything his daughters needed. As such, he began to draw for kids. With his new drawing style, he landed a job as a card illustrator that required him to create child-friendly drawings like cute animals. He posted some of his works on his social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram), and it was how he got acquainted with Kirsty-Louise Garbutt, who penned Santa's Lost Buttons.

Garbutt dropped a message on his Instagram asking if he would like to work with her. At first, Garbutt gave him pages from the story to check if his illustrations would fit the narrative. The author loved his drawings, especially of the main character Belle, and they sealed the partnership.

Marcelo admitted that they did not expect to receive recognition for their work. But, to their surprise, it got a good reception from people, especially mothers. 

His work for Santa's Lost Buttons was his first attempt to do illustrations for a children's book.

"It is a surprise to have this career as a children's illustrator from nowhere. The pandemic was like an incubation period for many people; either you get fat or learn something new. In my case, I got both," he stated. Working on the project, Marcelo had to learn how to layout books for children, choose the appropriate colors, etc. 

He confessed that doing the project was also tricky and tedious, but the thought of his daughters motivated him to persevere. 

"When I was doing the book, I told myself that I wanted to finish it because I want my daughters to read something or have a book their father made. That's the only inspiration that kept me going," the illustrator stated.

Since birth, Marcelo has been keen on drawing and developed it further through time. 

"As far as I can remember, I've been drawing since I was a kid, as attested by my parents. Since pre-school, I've been more interested in drawing than [writing] letters. My mom would tell me that I would add lines to make the letters more interesting," he shared. 

Seeing his penchant for arts, his parents enrolled him in summer art classes. 

"I'm just lucky to be supported to the point that my mom enrolled me in art class every summer of my high school life. Maybe she just didn't want me to stay in the house and just do nothing for the entire summer," he jokingly said. 

He confessed that the support from his parents, especially his mom, allowed him to grow in the realm of arts. Thus, when he decided to take Fine Arts in college, he did not receive any disapproval from his parents: "My mom didn't force us to take a specific course as long as she sees us that we are enjoying what we are doing."

Like any other artist, Marcelo experienced the challenges of being underappreciated, getting underpaid, and not receiving recognition for their artworks. He tried his luck in the corporate world but did not like it. Finally, Marcelo realized that it was not for him. After deciding to quit his corporate job,  he saw an opportunity to teach at a university. Marcelo initially found teaching a challenge as Marcelo was an introvert. However, like any other teacher, he fell in love with the vocation. His journey to Ateneo de Manila began after being invited to talk at a University event. He must have made an impression to receive an invitation to teach at the University.

He is now teaching information design at the Department of Fine Arts of the School of Humanities. 

As a full-time freelancer and part-time teacher, Marcelo hopes to impart theoretical knowledge about the discipline of arts to his students.

"I think the main benefit that my students get is that I know how the industry works because I work with them. I can really walk the talk," he said. However, learning is not just one way, he emphasized. "It [teaching] is very powerful; it is a useful career if you want to improve your craft all the time because you learn from students, you are always updated with all the things because you should always be at the top of the topic [you are teaching]." 

Marcelo said an artist must evolve and continue learning.

"Like what I say to my creative students, enjoy the process. If you finish something, move on. Do not fall in love with the artwork. That is a sin because it stops you from evolving. When it is done, it's done." 

Marcelo is currently working on his next book with the same author. The children's book will be published anytime soon. In addition, they are working on a series spin-off of Santa’s Last Buttons.