Urban landscapes often elicit mixed reactions, considered by some as the "blight" of the city. The crowded streets, houses of light material, and cluttered storefronts might be deemed unsightly by many, but for artist Rommel Christian Cahilo, they serve as “inspiration.”
Rom, a 28-year-old architect, transforms these scenes into captivating illustrations using a ballpoint pen and alcohol-based markers. Spending hours meticulously crafting each artwork, he brings to life the nameless streets, historical landmarks, and everyday Pinoy neighborhoods that define Metro Manila's unique charm.
Influenced by modern artists such as Chris Dove and Mark Poulier, he infuses emotion into his architectural sketches, capturing the chaotic beauty that sets Metro Manila apart — the atmosphere missed by Filipinos living abroad.
For Rom, the artistic process requires at least eight hours for an A5-sized illustration. Despite the demands of his architectural profession, he dedicates his weekends to his true passion — illustration.
Starting young
Rom's journey into the world of art began with a "Best in Drawing" ribbon in kindergarten. From editorial cartooning in elementary to high school stage backdrops, he eventually pursued architecture at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, earning his degree in 2016 and passing the architecture board exam in 2018.
While photographs serve as common mementos to preserve memories, Rom, being both an architect and an artist, finds illustrations to be a more potent means of etching memories into permanence.
He started during the pandemic when he faced health setbacks. He battled Covid, which led to his resignation at work. To aid his recovery and improve his heart condition, he turned to morning walks. The houses and stores he observed during these walks became the subjects of his illustrations.
“My early drawings of store facades date back to 2020 and 2021. My doctor advised me to take morning walks every day to improve my heart condition because, at that time, I had difficulty breathing. I would see these houses and stores daily during my walks. That’s when I thought, ‘I should draw these houses and stores.’ I have wanted to document my neighborhood through drawings since then. I want to feel the nostalgia just in case I see my illustrations again in the future,” he said.
The illustration proved the tangible memories of the places. For instance, he depicted a sari-sari store in 2019 that had recently transformed into a home-based parlor. Rom captioned the illustration, showcasing the "then and now" of one of the houses he used to pass by as: "Sari-sari store noong 2019, ngayon parlor na."
Upon resuming his work, Rom drew inspiration from the places he visited around the country. For instance, his "Elyu" artwork, inspired by a Halloween break in La Union, serves as a tangible memory, each facade representing significant places during their stay.
Eye for detail
The detailed eye of an architect defines Rom's work. He keenly observes and appreciates the nuances of homes, buildings, and urban landscapes.
Having drawn numerous facades, Rom observes that structures vary based on locations and the social status of the inhabitants.
His "La Trinidad Houses" artwork (11.7"x16.5" pen and markers on vellum paper), for example, has distinct features where houses are built in layers. “A Neighborhood in QC” (pen and markers, A3 size) artwork is also different as it features houses where most of the materials used are galvanized iron sheets, reflecting the crowded atmosphere of the place.
He was also commissioned to draw residential structures, featuring the facade of the establishments and single-attached houses. In 2022, he finished the “Buildings Along Escolta” artwork that shows various buildings built in Escolta Street in Manila, including the historic BPI building landmark and Burke building.
Rom also gave life in illustration of the facade of some of the well-known churches in the Metro Manila, including San Bartolome Church in Malabon, San Agustin Church in Intramuros, and Baclaran Church (National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help) in Parañaque.
Beyond architectural drawings, Rom delves into lifelike portraits, but his true passion lies in capturing the allure of store facades. Fascinated by the stories embedded in each facade, he is proudest of his "Ulam Series," a commissioned project now adorning a household in Tarlac. A harmonious blend of culinary delights and store facades, the series captures the essence of Filipino cuisine and the vibrant locales where the ingredients are sourced.
“I’m fascinated by how they combined various materials, probably using whatever was available and affordable for them. I feel like each facade has its own stories to tell from its owners,” Rom shared. “I feel satisfied whenever I finish an illustration. I feel honored whenever clients ask me to draw significant places in their life. I feel happy when I get to document my life and my clients’ significant events through these drawings. I joined art events, was invited to do exhibits, and earned money from it — which I gave to my parents to build our house in the province,” Rom said.
Life imitates art
Rom's illustrations extend beyond buildings to iconic churches in Metro Manila, showcasing his diverse artistic range. His art is not merely a hobby; it is a therapeutic journey. The satisfaction he derives from finishing an illustration and the honor of documenting significant places in clients' lives fuel his creative endeavors.
Now working as a design lead, Rom dedicates his weekends to his drawing. Occasionally, he spends half a day, completing commissions over two weeks to a month. Despite the extended timeline, he values the extra work.
As life imitates art, Rom's commissions and art events have translated into a tangible accomplishment — he is building a family house in Aklan, which is nearly complete.
Looking ahead, Rom dreams of compiling his drawings into a book — a collection of store facades, urban landscapes, and food illustrations, each accompanied by a short story. He wants readers to connect intimately with the art, making them feel each emotion.
His aspirations reach beyond local borders, with a desire to join art conventions abroad and share his visual tales to a global audience. With each stroke of his pen, Rom not only discovers architectural details but also a symphony of emotions and stories, encapsulating the passage of time and the fragility of life.