For Food and Art | Shiena M. Barrameda
(This article originally appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer as a national news feature about 33 people and projects that moved communities, December 9, 2018; part of this article by the author also appeared in Naga Smiles Magazine, a publication of the City of Naga.)
Bobi Rayala guided poor and out-of-school youth in Naga City in creating art masterpieces. Partially deaf and stricken with polio, shared his art skills for a fee to local celebrities but free to youths who cannot afford a formal course in drawing and art. He conducted his regular free art and drawing classes during Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 in the afternoon at the 2nd floor of SM City Naga while he continued to teach other students in his 12-session workshop in Ateneo de Naga University. He also provided home schooling lessons for clients in the city and seminar workshops in neighboring towns in Camarines Sur.
He gave extra training to his best students so they can pass on the lessons they learn to the next generation of art students. His advocacy stemmed from his experience as a struggling artist in Metro Manila during the 1970s. He was inspired by a policeman, a neighbor in Intramuros, who spent his off-duty days painting. The officer would then sell his artworks for P200, a handsome amount back then to the young Rayala, whose parents could not afford to send him to college.
When his family settled in Naga City in 1984, Rayala received a scholarship grant at the Ateneo de Naga. He was later offered a teaching job by the school and became its resident artist beginning in 1987.
Rayala whose favorite subjects are still life and landscape admitted that much of his style was inspired by the 19th century impressionist painters like Claude Monet. Owing to their style and influence, he said that he does not adhere to perfection and accuracy in the interpretation of subjects in his paintings and his teachings in his art classes.
He would tell his students to explore their ideas and to stick to what they would see before them, explaining “Accuracy in drawings is not a criteria for me to consider a work of art as good. Art should be not be exact or static. When you place a bouquet of flowers here and ask ten painters to make a painting of it, you will get ten different results.”
Crowdsourced from Naga citizens and artists who reacted in shock and sadness to Bobi Rayala’s demise (from Facebook)
Farewell from the Salingoy Artists Group | Romualdo Rommel Perez
Alejandro “Bobi” Baylon Rayala, July 8, 1945 – November 8, 2022, 77 years old… With a heavy heart we share with you beautiful memories left by our Ka-Salingoy, Bobi Rayala. Perhaps everyone knows that Bobi has some physical conditions. But these never hindered him from reaching out to people and sharing his gift of art.
Yes. We always see him in his motorcycle, parked at the Plaza Quince Martires, surrounded by enthusiastic street kids as he teaches them the basics of painting. His home is always open for art enthusiasts wanting to learn from a genuine master that Bobi truly is.
During the Salingoy meetings, he would freely give food and money as his contribution. He may not always be present in these meetings, but his generosity is always felt.
Bobi’s sudden demise will leave a deep void in our hearts. We in the art community will surely miss his presence. But the beautiful memories he left, and his precious gift of art will keep him alive.
Sir Bobi taught me how to paint | Karen Santos Herrera
Sir Bobi Rayala was my first painting instructor circa 2002-2003. He was always cheerful, patient, kind and passionate. He would save money from his meager teaching income to purchase school supplies to be given to less fortunate children, and to feed his neighbors and street kids around the Plaza or bus station, even if he himself needed the money for his own medications.
He proudly showed me the news article which featured him winning the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Award for Region V. He really deserves to be honored. (Photo shows Bobi holding the award).
He was my mentor. He would keep in touch via messenger every now and then. And he was an avid follower to my Facebook posts.
I will miss you, Sir Bobi Rayala! Thank you for everything! May you rest in peace. My condolences to the bereaved family.
(Editor’s Note: Gawad Geny Lopez, Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards is a search for modern-day heroes. It aims to give recognition to ordinary folks doing extraordinary deeds – a fitting tribute to fine Filipino values of humanitarianism, industry, determination, and dedication to public service.
Salute, Sir Bobi | Rita Corigal Labanon
You would always message me and ask me when I’ll be attending your painting class. Hay. Sir Bobi, I am so heartbroken. I said next year, I will enroll but you already left us. I remember, every summer, you post a small tarpaulin in front of your house to invite aspiring painters to avail of your free painting tutorial. That’s why I said, I’ll feature you once in one of our programs (in radio). You were one of the last people I interviewed before I left the radio (station). And your passion for art is so contagious. You are a gem! Thank you for being an inspiration.
Art is not perfect | Ansel Mano
I attended few of Bobi’s free sessions and he taught me that art isn’t perfect, and there is no such thing as an ideal art. If you want a precise rendition of your subject be a photographer instead. In art, the more mistakes committed the better you’ll be.
Posthumous recognition from City Government of Naga
The City Government of Naga expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family of Alejandro “Bobi” Baylon Rayala of Salingoy Art Group. Despite being partially deaf and afflicted with polio since birth, he would go around the city in his motorcycle, wheelchair, and cane to teach art outdoors to students of all ages, from kids to professionals, as well as to senior citizens. In 2012, he was named the recipient of the Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Award for his extraordinary deeds to ordinary folks. Last Monday, November 21, 2022, he was posthumously recognized for his invaluable contribution and service to Naga City as a local artist.