Papemelroti co-founder passes away at age 92

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 16) — The co-founder of the popular local gift shop Papemelroti passed away at age 92.

Bienvenido "Benny" Alejandro founded the business with his late wife, Corit, in 1967. The family-run business has since had 19 branches in malls across the country, with its main branch in Quezon City.

"The papemelroti family sends off our co-founder, our beloved Sir Benny. May he rest in God’s eternal peace," Papemelroti said in an Instagram post with Alejandro posing in front of wings made of recycled paper, a material the shop is known for.

His daughter, Patricia Alejandro Paterno, said that her father didn't stop making creative projects even if he was bedridden.

"Even when you had a hard time walking, you were still building a boat, planning to go fishing, and crabbing. Even when you were bedridden, you were still busy overseeing your cuckoo clocks, and Edison lamps, and that new vacuum machine that surprised us in the mail," Paterno said on Facebook.

The company was named after the nicknames of Alejandro's children: Patsy, Peggy, Meldy, Robert and Tina.

Alejandro's wake will be held at the Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.