tt onu peoplt' enter our lives like detr slippIng III alld 0111 of the woods.

Tluy tOl/ciJ our cartb and we slop to look at tbau. They disappear as qHlflly as they cauic. Btu ),(111 fal blcsstd for havillg expencnud their gClltlc prcsCllu. Andy H (live thanks tba! the world IS 11 bettrr plare because if ,he joy they brought. 'I

- r. J an le izucr. M 1

;: MEMORIAM

REY ALDO WASHINGTON GAMBOA ALEJA DRO

DOM

t c PA R Rariilo

Ron Jay 'Rani 1"

p

tJ acinto Pablo f Arsenia Gamboa

I B 1

olando, Jacinto, Jr. Jo elito, Milagro fLeslie, andy. Gerard

IE I K

TH RO

\V

To realize one' potential is a man' rea on for being. Ronnie wa uch a man

who naciou ly dared to hallenge [i~' offerings.

A [rue example of unending search for hi c nrriburion co chis on \ orld, he gave much

... as a man-he had a purpose,

. .

... as an ani [-a re a t ive VISion,

... as an author-he wrote history .

.. . as a friend-an undying devotion.

He gave with no expectation-only the reward of sharing.

I M RICH A

RE IPIE T OF HI LO

-Malliya Barredo

Ronnie keep the door open-lirerally to his apal'[menr and figuracively to hi heart and to rhe furure. He ha the mo [PO it ivc arrirud in li~ ,alway looking for new challenges and alway undaunted by difficulrie . He believes some bod and something nice and wonderful would inevitably come rhr ugh [he do r. inc out of ren he gets what he want and the one that gor away would have to feel orry for missing out. Ronnie is rhc compleat librarian who collects and collect but cannot seem co throw away an ,ching. What he treasures rno t of all are memor ic of good tim and good friend, of which he must have a world record. Everyone love Ronnie and he knows ir deep in his heart.

- elson avarro

Ronnie lejandro ha be n a friend from way ba k when J wa a high chool student at the Areneo, and he was a librarian ar the Areneo High chool under the tutelage of Fr. uchan, .J. He had recently graduared from the renee College.

'We were pioneer in PETA when Cecile Guidore started the Limmer Workshop. Ronnie was the classic Annie Batumbakal. working during ch day, dancing aft r hours, invenring steps as

a choreographer. working on odem Dance pieces with his favorite dancer. Mani '3 (h wa

called Honey rhen) Barredo.

He wa born with hy rterical energy.

Had he nor gone to the of A a an immigrant ro work at the ew York Public Librar , he

would hav worked and whipped hi arms and limbs to become the Pinoy Martha Graham. For dance was his love. dance wa hi passion, and dance IVa his vocation.

Bur he cho [ be part of the mid-century brain drain. reincarnating himself as an American with an adobo accent.

He did hard labor a a I nely librarian but continued hi Annie Batumbakal persona on the side. in Manhattan. There he directed the Philippin Dance Company in j ew York cit. galvanizing the Pinoy in the a phalt jungl to rak pride in ethnic differentiation and cultural assertion.

itnessing his transformations through ch years from librarian co chor ographer, ro dance historian. to ui ine chef, famou for his Malacafiang salad and chicken indanao, to author and publisher of myriad title' of c ffee-table book. travel book. cookbook, social-anrhropological book -all celebrating Pinoy culture, one will uffer from mental whipla h. v here indeed does he get hi drive and energy and hi unceasing speed to organize his project? And all by his Ion orne self-most of rhe rime-and sometime wieh a lied help from fri nd and/or [rangers.

Ronnie may have betrayed his roots by becoming American. bur just from his publi hed book, one can ce chat he ha repaid his debt. betraying in turn hi real and only true love: the Piney,

- onoll Padilla

"1 am ready to conquer rhe world!" he alway said after dozing off. Thi wa the signal that a

frenzy of activity would follow. He would ru h off-to get the ingredients for his alacariang

alad, to teach the Rrgoaoll Royale, to meet one of his publishers, or to catch his Right for a research trip.

In between tasks, "Never a dull moment!" he happily declared in his booming, hyperactive voice a h zoomed ofr. \' hile on the road, he made his phone calls, plann d hi "choreography" (referring to his calendar). brainstormed, and, if time allowed, took a much-needed catnap.

If he wasn't 0 organized, he wouldn't have been able to make time for all his friend. And everyone was his friend (although you could be demoted from hi "A Li c" to his "2 List" if you slighted him). If you were lucky. he would allow him elf to get lost in a momenr with you, but only for thai moment. And after that, "The party is over. Back co r alicy."

Ronnie was a go-gener. He made things happen. "You can never can tell. [sic] If you're in the right place at the right time .. ." Before complering a project, he had the equel planned and their proposals primed our.

Hi watch kept accurate time. His gait was ew York-fast and rarely wa h late. If you

made him wait. you could expect him to yell "I did OT go half way around the world to be

created like a THIRD CLA CI 12EN in my 0\ OU TRY!"

He was brilliant-a dancer. a chef. a Filipinisr, rind a wri ter-a rna ter of all. par excellence. Yes, you could 3y he IVa impati I1t. "If I did not know my metier, would I have accomplished what I have thus far? If you think you can do a better job, then go do it your elf!" But great men often are impatient. .. and misunder tood.

But although Ronnie always worked to please his various audience, he never did it to aggrandize himself. He had many a book launching and he appeared to have enjoyed them. Here i a e ret. He nev r did! He had stage fright whenever he IVa mad co peak in public. All he wanted was to "pur the Philippines in the culinary map of the word." Is it any wonder that when confront d with a laggud he lamented "How can this nation be great again?"

Like all great men. he made mistakes, nd when he did. he admitted it and mumbled to himself, " aku! Wrong number!" Although hi "children," his over 30 books char now form a ignificant part of Philippine culcural lirerarure today, has made him immortal. he knew his time on earth was limited, And in this he did not dial a "wrong number." Perhaps this is why was for ver ru hing.

Ronnie has passed on to the next world. Thi time he need not ru h, for this finally is his real home, his true 160 BI eck r r (5Gv ). in "the right zip code." He made it to "the right place at the right time."

"The party is over." Well done. Ronois. And when we join you there, hurry to our aid and help II "conqu r the world" like you did down here. Get some "choreography" going up there. And whatever you do, don't fill your heavenly 160 Blee ker c. with clutter,

-Vicente Roman S. Santos

In lew York in the 1990s 1 remember distinctly getting a big thrill at he ew York Publi Library whenever 1 punch d the computer with names of greats-like Hemingway, arne, Kennedy ... or even Reynaldo G. Alejandro, my besr friend.

In canraneously, th creen would fill with Ronnie's numcrou book title written in decade Impressionably. I would gush. "Reynaldo-s-our Ronoi . You are ind ed a celebrity ... a man of con equence ... a pride to our Filipino race!" hyly, humbly, he would ju r lip away a non-

believing half-smile. eldom elf contained, although very much a mulcifa ted diamond (book. new paper. dance. cui inc. decor. cheater. photography. piano. lectur ) he (0 u ed in read on the talents of theirs. He disc v red, encouraged, nurtured, nourished.

Ronnie wa simply just like that---a rare individual and true friend.

-Marla Yotoko Cborlllgel

Bifore being called by his Creator, Reynaldo Alejandro hlld a fi{lfilling and interesting career as a danrer, choreographer, research librariall, writer, author, cook, photographer, coill/nllisl, cOluliltant, director, and leawrer. He Illithored more than 40 books, directtd a Filipino dana company and the first filipino American modern dance company in the niled Slates. He rueived ,mmerolls awards, citations and grants Jor research, choreography and cookery.

"Mr. Alejandro ha a gift for chor ography for w men."

- nna Ki e1goff, Tbe o» York Times

"the movement were lyrical and lovely, a r ult of lejaridro's choreography.'

Dalla Maga<:!nt

.,

aranaw tapestry ... a haunting and beautifully costumed piece of ubdued exotica." -Jennifer Dunning, he Itw York Times

"Projects vigorou Ii fe and emotion."

-Lillie ". Rosen, Dalla I {WS

"Mr. Alejandro' bcaurifully-illu traced surv y of Philippine danc i al 0 for rh general reader ... Mr. Alejandro' in i renee on going beyond the u ual choreographic description of tribal dane s i highl significant."

- nna Kisselgoff. The few York lmes

"Mr. Alejandro i a young man of many talents ... an excellent and dedicated c ok ... the oul of ho pitality.'

-Craig Claiborne, Tb« ew York Times

"Alejandro con iders it his primary mission to put rh Philippine on rh culinary map and .his cookbook ha b en the fir t major tep in chi proce

-Lorna as, Los A ngtlts Hrrald Examiner

'The ltimare in Philippine Cookbook,"

- mando Doronilla, Phrllpplllt Daily Inquirer

"Add another feather to hi already much feather d collecri n of cap. He has authored the first cookbook of Philippine cui ine that i di rribuced world wide. Hither too to a wide

audience and clientele, mainly Filipino and exparriat Pinoy from w York co Manila,

Ronnie ha gone global, '0 to peak"

-L1i ta Logarta, Tbr Philippine Post

"Ronnie i a good friend, with whom we had xplor d th food, theater, people, cranni ,and ryle of ew Y, rk through many year

-Doreen ernandez, Mr. & Ms. Maga<:!'''f

P BLl

ED \\

K 1972 - 20 "

1. lejandro. Reynaldo . Sayaw Silallgan: Dance of the Philippines. 1972. ew York:

Dance Per pective Foundation, Inc.

2. 1 jandro, Reynaldo G. Philippine Dance: Mainstl'eam and Crosscurrents. 1978. Quezon

City: era-Reyes, Inc.

3. lejandro, Reynaldo G. Philippine ookbook. I 9 2. ew York: Putnam Pre s/Perigee

Books.

4. lejandro, Re naldo . Contributor. 19 2. Asia Society- VRI Slide Libraty of Asian Dunce

and Drama. ew York: sia ocicty.

5. Alejandro, Re naldo G. Philippine ookbook. 19 4. ew York: Coward Me ann.

6. Alejandro, Reynaldo G. Flavor of Asia. 19 4. New York: Beaufort Books.

7. AI jandro R ynaldo G. and Anne Pascarelli. 19 7. Culinary Resources in the Metropolitan Area. , ew York: Culinary Historians of lew York.

Al jandro, Reynaldo G. 19 7. Culillal) Collection of The few York P1<lblic Library. ew

York: eagram.

9. lejandro, Rcynaldo G. Restaurant DeSign. 19 7. N w York: PB International

10. Alejandro, R ynaldo G. and Lily O. Boyle. Philippinc Hospitality. 19 ew York:

cacra orporaClon.

J J. At jandr , Reynaldo G. Classic Mel1l~ of Tbe zw York Public LibHI1). 19 ew York:

I B International.

12. lejandro, Reynaldo G. Specialty Food Packaging DeSign. 19 9. ew York: PB International.

13. Alejandro, Reynaldo G. Contributor. Fodor's 90 Southeast Asia. 1990. ew York: ew

York odor' ravel Publication.

I -j.. lejandro, Reynaldo . and Gloria T. yquia. Pilloy GlIide to the Big Apple. 1992.

Quezon i ty: era- Reyes, J nco

I 5. I jandro, Reynaldo G. and aria Yotoko Choreng 1. Pasko: Philippine Christmas.

199 . Manila: ~iltion, I Book tor /Anvil Publi hing

16. Alejandro, Re naldo G. and E a an Jo e Florentino. Pil1oyork: The Filipino Americans in J ew York. 199. ew York: ilipino American ~ational Hi rorical

Society Metropolitan work hapt r,

17. lejandro, Reynaldo G. Tb» Food of the Phrlippines.l998. ingapor: Periplu ditions.

1. lejandro, Reynald G. Recipe B ok of filipino Cuisine. 199 . Pittsburgh Penn: pindle Publishing Company.

19. I jandro, Re -naldo G. Kasnysayan. 199. ew York: Filipino Reporter

20. lejandro, Reynaldo . and Jo phine L. Herrnano. Lamesa The Filipino Table. J 999. anila: ari nal Book tore/ nvi] Publishing.

21. Alejandro, Reynaldo, Ro a Vallejo and Arrninda allejo antiago. e/yo Phdippine History in Poslagr Stamp. 2000. Manila: ational Book {or I nvil Publi hing. 22. lejandro, Re naldo G. and lfredo . Yu on. Pasig River of Life. 2000. anita:

Unilever Philippine.

23. lejandro, Reynaldo G. and i ente Roman . antes. Flowers of Baguio. 2001.

Manila: ational Book tore/Anvil Publi hing.

24. lejandro Reynaldo G. and Amanda bad anto -Gana. Sayaw Philippille Dance. 2002. Manila: ational Book tor / nvil Publishing

25. lejandro, Rej naldo G. Laguna de Bay The Living Lake. 2002. Manila: Unilever Philippine

26. Alejandro, Reynaldo G. and Marla Yoroko-Chorengel. Pbilippine Clmstmas Art & Form. 2002. Ianila: ational Book tore/Anvil Publi hing

27. Alejandro, Reynaldo G. and icente Roman antos. Tabanan A House Reborn.

2003. Manila: Duend Publi hing.

2 . Ai jandro, Reynaldo G. and icenre Roman anto . Parol Philippine Christmas

Lantern. 2003. Manila: Duende Publi hing.

29. lejandro Reynaldo G. and icente R man antes. Pabalat Pastil/as Wrappers.

2003. Manila: Duende Publishing.

3 o. Alejandro. Re naldo G. Authflltic Recipes of the Philippines. 2005. ingapore: P riplu ditions.

31. Alejandro. R ynaldo G. and ancy Reyes-Lumen. The Adobo Book Traditional & JaZ<!d- P Recipes. 2004. Pa ig City: nvil Publi hing Inc.

32. Alejandro, Reynaldo G. and icente Roman . anros. Lnukit Preserved, Carved Fruits and Vegetables. 2005. Manila: Duende Publishing.

33. Alejandro, Reynaldo G. and icente Roman . antes. Kipillg Ornamental, Ed/ble Rice Vlltifer. 2005. Manila: Duende Publishing.

34. lejandro, Re naldo G. Magandang Filipina Beauty for Life. 2005. Manila: Unilever Philippine.

35. Alejandro, Reynaldo G., icente Roman , anto and Alfr d . Yu on. Manila Bay Crossroads of Asia. 2006. Manila: Unilever Philippines.

36. lejandro, Reynaldo G. BWlfiful Filipina. 2007. Pasig Cit): Katakaeaka Creative Concept. Inc.

37. lejandro, Reynaldo G. The Food of the Philippines, 2005. Hong Kong: Periplu

Edition (HK) Ltd. .

3. lejandro, R naldo G., icente Roman . anros, Millie lbano Re e . Fiesta!

Fiesta! 200 . Pasig ity: KC Innovation In.

39. Alejandro R ynaldo G., icente Roman antes, Tess Z. Lopez. 81.fglas: Oriental

egl'os The Beautiful. ork-in-Progress)

40. Alejandro, Reynaldo G., icenre Roman 'ante, Te 5 Z. Lopez. Estilo [/OllggO,

ork-in-Progre 5)