BIO
Born to Filipino immigrants in Oakland, California, Paul is an award-winning director of photography who works internationally in both scripted and documentary.
After working at Lucasfilm, he earned his MFA in Cinematography from UCLA, learning from then cinematographer in residence, Roger Deakins, and afterwards working as an electric for Emmanuel Lubezki.
In 2009, he was awarded the ‘Colón de Plata’ for Best Cinematography at the Huelva Latin-American Film Festival in Spain for his work on the Bolivian feature ZONA SUR, in which every scene was covered in a one-shot rotating master. ZONA SUR won Best International Feature at Sundance 2010 and garnered praise in American Cinematographer magazine.
His 2nd feature, LAND WITHOUT EVIL (IVY MARAEY), shot on 35mm film earned him honors at CamerImage 2014, Berlinale 2015 and the NY MOMA.
His 4th narrative feature, 88, a political thriller, shot on anamorphic, premiered at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and is now available on Apple+
TAB TIME Seasons 1-2, a children’s show hosted by Tabitha Brown was nominated for 2 Emmy’s, for Outstanding Preschool Series and Outstanding Host.
He has also been contributing to the visuals of Grey’s Anatomy on ABC through Camera Operating for fellow UCLA Alumnus, Jeanne Tyson.
… and most recently he lensed John Travolta’s directorial debut which will be released in late 2025.
On the documentary front, Paul recently lensed the visuals for Netflix documentary BILL RUSSELL LEGEND directed by academy nominated Sam Pollard on the late basketball great, Bill Russell, and his impact on the modern athlete using their platform for activism and change, and is currently collaborating with award winning Filipino American director PJ Raval on an Untitled Philippines documentary addressing indigenous land rights in the mountain provinces.
Paul’s visuals are unique to each piece, fully supporting the story, and he’s drawn to projects that educate, inspire or evoke positive change in society.
When not on set, Paul can be found playing tennis or soccer, or in the islands with his family.
IATSE 600 member - cinematographer
International Cinematographers Guild member
Photo Credit: Yusuke Sato
AWARDS
TAB TIME S1 + 2 - children’s TV series
*Emmy Nomination - 2022 Outstanding Preschool Series
*Winner - Outstanding Children’s Program - NAACP Image Award 2023
DARING SIMONE - short format series non-fiction
*Winner - Outstanding Short Form Series - Non fiction - NAACP Image Award 2023
ZONA SUR - scripted feature
*Winner - Colón de Plata - Best Cinematography - 2009 Huelva Latin-American Film Festival, Spain
*Winner - Best Film - World Dramatic Competition – 2010 Sundance Film Festival
WONDERLAND - scripted short
*Winner – Special Jury Prize – 2012 Gulf Film Festival
*Winner – Grand Jury Award – 2011 Zero Film Festival
ENTEL 100% - Commercial
*Winner – Best Cinematography – Entel Campaign – Bolivian Advertising Award 2008
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
88 - scripted feature
* Premiers at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival
YVY MARAEY - LAND WITHOUT EVIL - scripted feature
*shot on 35mm film
* CamerImage 2014, Berlinale 2015, and the NY MOMA