About
I’m a Filipino-American filmmaker, strategic storyteller, and cultural practitioner based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
My work explores the intersection of culture, movement, and meaningful work — documenting the people and communities shaping how we live, create, and connect.
With a background in documentary storytelling and video journalism, I’ve spent more than a decade producing films, interviews, and editorial content focused on human-centered stories.
Early Influences
I was born and raised in Oakland, California, where my early interests in skateboarding, martial arts, and film shaped the way I see the world.
Growing up in the Bay Area’s diverse cultural landscape introduced me to communities built around discipline, creativity, and shared identity — themes that continue to influence my storytelling today.
Inspired by filmmakers and performers like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, I became fascinated with the relationship between movement, culture, and storytelling.
Storytelling & Media
I studied motion pictures and television at the Academy of Art University, focusing on cinematography, editing, and documentary storytelling.
I later worked in technology journalism producing interviews and editorial video content with founders, executives, and innovators at companies including TechCrunch.
That experience helped shape my approach to storytelling — combining journalistic curiosity, cinematic craft, and strategic communication.
Current Work
Today, I work as a filmmaker and creative strategist through Manalo Pictures, a boutique production studio focused on mission-driven brands and organizations.
I’m also the founder of The Rooted School, a platform dedicated to Filipino martial arts training and cultural education.
Beyond commercial work, I continue to document and participate in the communities that influence my storytelling — including martial arts, dance, wellness, and Filipino cultural spaces.
Philosophy
I believe storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for building understanding and trust.
Whether documenting a founder’s vision, a cultural gathering, or movement-based practices, I’m interested in the moments where identity, creativity, and community intersect.
Through film, I aim to create stories that feel thoughtful, grounded, and human.
