On the Road

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” -Jack Kerouac

A beautiful little girl inside a Manobo Hut, Butuan City 

A kid who went up a tree and came down with a bird, Leyte

And Forward, We Roll...

And forward, we roll.


I remember the times my dad and I would watch travel shows, admiring Ian Wright, Denise Keller, Asha Gill when I was young. We didn't have enough money to travel so it was only through collated images and stories from shows, books, and magazines that I had a glimpse of this wide, wild world. 

I remember my dad telling me, "Jen, someday you, too, will travel extensively. And someday, you'll get to make your own shows too." His words felt weightless and heavy at the same time. I practically had no idea how that would ever happen, but that moment was frozen and kept safe in a little box in my head. It would play on loop, someday. 

Forward, we roll- to the present. I am now packing my things like a mad man, preparing my shot lists, reviewing the route, semi-panicking... I should be asleep by now. We'll start shooting Day 1 of History Channel's Ride N' Seek: Season 4 in a few hours. But I can't help but pause for a while and make time to be really and genuinely grateful. 

Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined doing this. But the world is kind, and it has its weird ways. When I was in college, I was shit-scared of directing. I've always thought I'd tread a different path, away from production. But somewhere between then and now, an overwhelming string of events has led me to this moment.

Have you ever been obsessed with the things you're scared of? My fears and dreams have formed this interesting relationship where they've decided that they simply can't live without each other. And I know that I can never forgive myself for not doing something just because I'm scared. It should never be an excuse.

So nevermind if my knees are trembling or if my stomach feels like there's a thunderstorm brewing, when I remember my dad telling me "Jen, someday...", I swallow my fears and inhibitions so I could tell him that "someday" has arrived. Thank you for always believing.


**This quick photo diary is a compilation of photos I took last year during our shoot for Ride N' Seek, Season 3. We traveled from Puerto Galera all the way North to Kalinga to meet Apo Fang-Od. Traveling while shooting for a month is a completely different way of learning and re-learning about our roots. This experience is irreplaceable.

Behind the Scenes

TV and Film Production has somehow found its way to my every day. Even when I'm not working, my mind becomes restless for things to shoot and series to put together- sometimes even making me feel as if I'm in a movie myself. 

Have you ever had those 'The Truman Show' moments?

In-Betweens: Taiwan Photo Diary

I haven't updated this blog in a while since I haven't been spending much time at home. But I'm squeezing this moment to make myself a cup of coffee and write before I proceed to the day's itinerary.

I recently just came back from a month-long trip, following a biker's journey across Luzon, filming for 30 days straight. When I got back in Manila, home is still home. I had to hibernate for a day or 2, and then it's back to the hustle. For the past days we've been shooting, having to go through a tough 3 am call time.

The world of film and television is very demanding - filled with sleepless nights, caffeine-powered shoots and missed holidays. These, however, are a small price to pay for the fulfillment that we get from practicing our craft and seeing the world, almost always with fresh eyes. After all, nothing is too difficult when you love what you do.

I'm incredibly grateful for a lot of things lately, so I've decided to dedicate this post to my colleagues and do a bit of a throwback/ Taiwan photo diary if you may call it, to early this year. Can you believe that we're already halfway?