Beloved Founder of Cubao's Bellini’s Restaurant Passes Away at 84
John Lloyd Cruz remembers Mr. Bellini as someone who pushed him to keep going back when he was at his lowest.
(SPOT.ph) Roberto Bellini, who owns the iconic Bellini’s Italian Restaurant and a pillar of the Cubao Expo community, has passed away. His daughter Jassy Bellini confirmed to SPOT.ph that he died on November 24 at midnight after being sick the past year. He was 84, leaving behind his wife Maria Luisa, four children, and six grandchildren.
"We love him so much. He's such a great father, husband, grandfather, and friend," Jassy said in a message to SPOT.ph. "We thank him for giving us such a beautiful life. We thank him for inspiring us in life; to be brave, to have respect, to love, and to work hard."
Roberto Bellini—paratrooper, paparazzi, and restaurateur
Roberto was born in Pisa, Italy, to parents in the hotel and restaurant business. Perhaps one could say that it was inevitable that he would find himself in the same industry, but his journey to Bellini’s was far from a straight line.
Roberto signed up for his then-required military service as a paratrooper, before getting a job as a photojournalist in Italy. For three decades, he made a living chasing some of the world’s most famous personalities—from Madonna to Princess Diana—as a freelance photographer. After he met and fell in love with Maria Luisa while covering the 1986 People Power Revolution in the Philippines, he flew her to Italy. Maria Luisa played a big part in his business, running the photography shop and even occasionally snapping photos herself.
“It’s not simple to be photographer,” Roberto explained in an interview with Esquire Philippines in 2015. “You must be estro. Estro means you must be inspired, have imagination. Same thing as in the kitchen. You need estro. Same in the restaurant. You must see face of the people, you need mata, you need experience. One is suplado, one is masaya, one is mabait. You need to know the psicologia of the people.”
Eventually, being a paparazzi constantly on the move took its toll and Roberto’s 30-year photography career came to a close. The family moved back to the Philippines and in July 1999, the couple opened the doors to Bellini’s Italian Restaurant.
Bellini's, a beloved restaurant
It took a few years for the restaurant to find its footing, but once it did, people flocked to the charming Italian spot almost non-stop. From celebrities and politicians to old regulars and students, the diverse crowds at Bellini's only add to the warm atmosphere of the restaurant. (This writer remembers visiting Bellini's as a wide-eyed college student for Galentine's and thinking it was the best, most date-worthy restaurant in the Metro.)
Fresh pasta, pizza, and bread are a huge draw, of course, but the atmosphere is just as inviting with colorful murals of Italian sights on the walls. Plus, the affordable prices are unbeatable for the hearty, authentic Italian fare that you get.
Bellini’s turned 25 years old earlier this year—with no sign of slowing down when it comes to bringing a taste of la dolce vita in Cubao. Even Roberto expressed surprise at their longevity, telling SPOT.ph in 2021 that Italian restaurants do not typically survive over two decades. "Maybe 12 years, six years." But beating the odds, Bellini's continues to thrive.
Among the friends paying tribute to the restaurateur is Chef Waya Araos-Wijangco of Gypsy Baguio, who remembers spending time with her family in the cosy Italian restaurant. "We learned about Italian food from you, in the accessible, friendly and unpretentious space you made," she wrote on Instagram. "You are a legend. Salute!"
Just earlier this year, John Lloyd Cruz posted a heartfelt birthday greeting to Roberto on Instagram. Fans will remember that Bellini's was the setting of an iconic scene in One More Chance. A friendship has developed between the two men since then. On his @dumpsitegallery account, Cruz recalls a time in his life he described as "walang-wala at sadsad sa kumpyansa at tiwala sa sarili at sa kapwa." It was Roberto who gave him the motivation to keep working, telling him, "You have to work John Lloyd." Cruz ended his caption by saying, "Salamat kaibigan. Salamat Roberto. Maligayang kaarawan sa’yo. Nasa puso kita at isipan."