Graphika Manila kicked off the conference on March 7, 2027, at the SMX Convention Center in Manila. Thousands of attendees — students, designers, illustrators, and fellow creatives — gathered at the event, eager to learn from industry leaders and deepen their understanding of creativity and design.
The event commenced with a keynote presentation by Lei Melendres, a freelance illustrator and professional doodle artist known for his highly detailed and imaginative work. Lei’s designs are driven by an endless stream of ideas: from monsters and robots to intricate patterns, imaginary creatures, and beyond. Although they might come across as strange to some, the elements come together seamlessly when combined into a single composition.
Aside from his work as a freelance artist, Lei also played a crucial role in growth of the doodle community in the Philippines as the head of Doodle Art Enthusiasts (DAE) until 2018. In addition, he is the founder and creative director of Doodle Arts Magazine, a platform where both emerging and professional doodle artists can contribute their artworks.
Self-doubt happens, despite talent
In his talk, “Drawn by Doubt: A Story of Self-Doubt, Slow Growth, But Showing Up Anyway,” Lei reflected on the challenges many artists face — grappling with self-doubt despite their talent, and navigating the slow, often discouraging pace of growth that can make it tempting to give up.
IIn fact, Lei still had bouts of self-doubt even as he accepted the invitation to speak at Graphika — the very stage he had dreamed of stepping on since 2014.
“Parang 2014 pa ata ako nag-start mag-dream na mag-talk sa Graphika, tapos ewan ko, nawalan na lang ako ng pag-asa,” he said. (I’ve been dreaming of taking the Graphika stage since 2014 to do a talk, but I don’t know, I lost hope.)
That changed when he received an invitation from one of the organizers. Although he had long hoped to be invited, part of him also wished it wouldn’t happen just yet — at least not until he felt truly ready.
“Hindi ko muna binuksan ‘yung message kasi parang iniisip ko baka ma-disappoint lang ako. I let it go first, mga about two hours more before ko ni-replyan kasi hindi ko makapaniwala,” Lei said. (I didn’t open the message immediately because I felt like I was going to be disappointed. I let it go first, and then after two hours, I replied because I couldn’t believe it.)
Imposter syndrome in universal
As an artist, Lei admitted that he struggled with imposter syndrome — something he believes is a universal experience. Out of his love for DAE, he pushed past his doubts and projected confidence to keep leading the community, eventually growing into the very persona he had once only been pretending to be.
“Madalas ay nagpapanggap lang din akong alam ko ang ginagawa ko para ma-encourage ang team ko, hanggang sa unti-unti ko na talagang nagagawa ang role na ‘yun,” he explained. (Oftentimes, I just pretend that I know what I’m doing to encourage my team, until I eventually grow into that role.)
Lei almost traded art for salted eggs
Lei is already a massive and established artist at this point, having collaborated with some of the biggest brands such as Mazda, Fujifilm, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and more, but there was a time when something held him back.
Despite achieving a certain level of fame and success, he nearly quit in 2024, so disheartened with art that he even considered trading his pens for a salted egg business.
He became firm, eventually bouncing back
Fortunately, Lei found his way back and overcame those challenges. The turning point came as a conscious choice: he realized that the struggle of an artist is far more fulfilling than the safety of someone who has given up.
“Naisip ko na talagang tumigil. Pero narealize ko na mas pipiliin ko pang maging isang struggling artist kaysa sa maging isang komportableng quitter,” he said. (I thought of quitting, but I realized that I would rather choose to be a struggling artist instead of a comfortable quitter.)
He eventually discovered that the solution was not the absence of doubt, but the redirection of it. He transformed his imposter syndrome into a kind of “problem-solving syndrome,” using skepticism to double-check his work and push his boundaries further.
He eventually discovered that the solution was not the absence of doubt, but the redirection of it. He transformed his imposter syndrome into a kind of “problem-solving syndrome,” using skepticism to double-check his work and push his boundaries further.
Lei deconstructed the myth of the “perfect artist,” explaining that success is built on a mountain of finished, imperfect doodles rather than a single, masterpiece that has yet to begin — a fitting reminder for anyone paralyzed by their own expectations.
Circling back, Lei embodied his own lesson — moving from doodles and doubts to determination — as he stood on the very Graphika stage he had once only dreamed of. His presence there was the ultimate proof that, while growth may be slow and doubt ever-present, simply showing up is what makes you a true professional.
adobo Magazine is an official media partner of Graphika Manila 2026.
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