Romeo Forbes's works for "Elias and His Trees" were showcased as a highly anticipated first one-man exhibition in June 2005.

He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including topping the Letras Y Figuras Art Competition of Instituto Cervantes in 1998, and recognition, in 2000, as one of the top artists in the Asia-Europe Young Artists' Competition and the Metrobank National Art Competition.

In 2001, he swept the Grand Prizes for the Petron National Art Competition, the Shell Art Competition, and the Asian Development Bank's Key Indicators Cover Design Competition.

Romeo Forbes was one of the pioneers of the Artery, a group of visual and literary artists based in
Malate, Manila.

Elias and His Trees turned out to be Romeo's first and only one-man show. In early 2006, Romeo lost his battle against cancer. He was 24.

To honor his memory, CANVAS' has since renamed its annual writing competition as The Romeo Forbes Children's Storywriting Competition.