BIOGRAPHY
ABOUT ME
Blackouts, military rule, and a childhood spent at a funeral home under martial law taught me two things: imagination and resourcefulness.
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My ethos is centered on crafting compelling narratives that understand the nuance of gender, culture, and diversity of thought. My international career is an eclectic mix of film (features & shorts), TV (Paramount, HBO, Discovery, Bravo. NatGeo), women's and LGBTQ rights, and media education in NYC and Auckland.
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After doing a BA in Broadcast Communications at the University of the Philippines on a scholarship, I went on to receive a study grant for filmmaking in New York City. I also hold a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University in New York with a focus on international media and the Middle East/North Africa.
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As a storyteller, my work has won multiple awards in Asia, North America, and Europe. It has been screened in international film festivals (Austin film fest, BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica, IDFA, etc.). This has allowed me to live and work in different parts of the world - Germany, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Cairo, Perth, and New Zealand.
Until recently, I have been a kaiako/lecturer and Head of Department for the Screen Programme in Auckland. Currently, I am the post-production manager of an American company in Berlin. managing a remote team of editors and writers from all over the world.
FILMOGRAPHY
TRAFFICKERS: INSIDE THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
HBO Originals
Three countries, three drugs, three traffickers. A trilogy of true crime stories from the most notorious drug hotspot in Asia - the Golden Triangle.
This is a story of three incredible crimes and the international manhunt that followed.
ANAK (CHILD)
Feature Film
The Child (Anak) is a Filipino family drama film directed by Rory Quintos starring Vilma Santos and Claudine Barretto.The film was critically acclaimed by film critics. It was the Philippines' submission to the 73rd Academy Awards for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
MILK - A NZ Short Film
Austin Film Festival, Aesthetica, etc.
January 1945: on a lonely farm in coastal New Zealand, a young widow confronts two crewmen from a German submarine who have come ashore on a secret mission – to get fresh milk.
PET DAY SHORT FILM
Someday Stories
Pet Day, a short film written and directed by Ruby Harris and produced by Stephanie Escalante tells the story of two best friends living in a small rural community in Aotearoa. This film tells the story of a friendship between two 12-year-olds, their horse riding adventures and a complex relationship between a step-parent and child.
CROSSINGS | JOHN WOO
Discovery
Crossings: John Woo starts with Woo’s emotional homecoming to Hong Kong in 2004 to promote his latest blockbuster Paycheck. It leads you through his teen years where he made avant garde films, his apprenticeship with Shaw Brothers’ martial arts director Chang Che, his coming of age as a director directing slapstick Hong Kong comedies through the 70s and 80s.
OUTBACK TRUCKERS
Various Seasons
Outback Truckers is an Australian factual television series which looks at the Australian road-transport industry. It focuses on selected drivers and interesting personalities and shows the problems tackled by some sectors.
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DISCOVERY+QUEST EUROPE
ASTRA AWARDS 2014
MOST OUTSTANDING FACTUAL PROGRAM
Discovery Channel: "Abalone Wars"
ASIAN TV AWARDS 2002
BEST SPORTS PROGRAM
World Sports TV: "Football Asia"
CMMA 2000
BEST FILM
Star Cinema: "Anak" (Child)