James Morales is a creative storyteller who uses photography and videography to capture authentic moments through compelling visual narratives. His body of work includes commercials, editorial content, and corporate projects, all of which aim to combine creativity with purpose.

Beyond the world of multimedia, he has a lifelong passion for automobiles. In his spare time, he restores and works on classic vintage cars and is the proud owner of two Mitsubishi Lancers: a 1976 coupe and a 1978 sedan. When he is not behind the camera or under the hood of a car, he enjoys spending quality time with his family and creating meaningful experiences while continuously learning and growing.

What is it that you love about your work?

I don’t really see what I do as work. It’s a dedication. Both photography and videography have always been a joy to me, so every project is an opportunity to share a narrative. Before entering the creative industry, I spent 12 years in the corporate world. That experience taught me discipline, professionalism, and how to work with clients effectively. Combining that experience with visual communication skills allows me to bring both artistic vision and a strong business mindset to every project.

Are you inspired by any creatives?

I draw inspiration from countless writers, photographers, and filmmakers across different genres. Each of them has a unique way of telling stories, and there’s always something to learn from. One of my biggest inspirations is Larry Chen, who sparked my appreciation for car culture. I take bits of inspiration from different artists and use those lessons to develop my own style and creative voice. The goal is to establish my own identity and legitimacy as a creative.

Larry Chen is a globally renowned car culture and automotive photographer

What is your music playlist like?

My playlist is a reflection of how I grew up. It’s filled with the music my dad used to play every Sunday, songs that became part of our family’s traditions and memories. Now I find myself listening to artists like ABBA, Gin Blossoms, Whitney Houston, Rick Astley, and AC/DC almost every day, this time with my own kids around.

Gin Blossoms are an alternative band formed in Arizona known for a hybrid of melodic rock and jangle pop

What was the last piece of art that caught your attention?

I think art can be found anywhere and comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s in a painting or a photograph. It can also be found in nature, architecture, or the places we visit while traveling. One piece that recently caught my attention was the Roman Colosseum-inspired Binaybayon Sports Complex in Baybay, Leyte. Seeing that blend of Filipino cultural identity and Italian classical architecture convinced me that creativity can transform the familiar into something memorable and inspiring.

The Binaybayon Sports Complex features and an imposing yellow colored facade an Olympic size rubberized track

What film or television series are you currently watching?

I’m always on the lookout for a good television series, but recently I’ve been watching The Grand-ish Tour. It’s not a brand-new adventure series like before. Instead, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May look back at some of the peak moments from The Grand Tour. It’s a nostalgic trip filled with incredible footage from their journeys, hilarious mishaps, and memorable cars that made the show iconic.

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May travel the world as hosts of this Amazon series

What is your favorite travel destination?

It’s not about the destination; it’s about the people you travel with. Wherever I get to travel with my wife and kids will always be my favorite place. We recently visited Boracay, and it has become one of our favorite family destinations. In fact, we plan to celebrate my eldest child’s birthday there this year, and we’re looking forward to creating more memories together while enjoying uninterrupted quality time.

Boracay is a tropical paradise famous for its stunning sunsets situated in the Western Visayas region of the country

Do you have a treasured object that you cannot part with?

My cameras aren’t just tools. They’ve been with me through many milestones. I also have a classic 1976 Mitsubishi Lancer that I will never sell because it sparked my passion for cars and has become part of who I am. But if I had to choose what I treasure most, it would be my dad’s Ray-Ban sunglasses. It’s a simple object that carries a lifetime of memories, making it truly irreplaceable.

1976 Mitsubishi Lancer, first generation of Mitsubishi’s Lancer nameplate

Is there a song that’s currently on your mind?

One song that has always stayed with me is “93 Million Miles” by Jason Mraz. Two lines have always resonated with me: “Son, in life you’re gonna go far, if you do it right, you’ll love where you are,” and “Sometimes it may seem dark, but the absence of light is a necessary part.”

Jason Mraz, a celebrated American singer, song writer and guitarist is also a dedicated philanthropist

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

“Perfect” is a strong word, but if I had to describe it, it would be seeing my children grow up to be responsible, kind, respectful, and God-fearing individuals. More than any career path or material success, that’s the greatest measure of success—and as close to perfect happiness as I can imagine.

Carlo Delantar, born and raised in Cebu, Philippines, grew up with the notion that business could be a genuine tool for the good of humanity. Currently, he works as Partner and Head of Sustainability at Gobi Partners, a Pan-Asian venture capital firm. Carlo also serves as Chairman of Waves for Water Philippines, where the project has reached over two million Filipinos. A workaholic by nature, he has learned to be intentional about the distractions that pull him away from a screen—freediving, mountaineering, and traveling to places that remind him why the work matters in the first place.

Carlo Delantar recently represented the Philippines @worldeconomicforum Young Global Leaders of 2026

What is it that you love about your work?

I love that it is never purely theoretical. Every decision carries real consequences for communities, ecosystems, and the next generation of businesses being built across Asia. I grew up wanting to make business a social tool for the good of the populace, and I ended up in a role where that is literally the job. The fact that I still feel that way is what I am most grateful for.

Are you inspired by any writer or creatives that you like to sink into?

I am not a book reader by nature, but I have always kept myself learning through conversations with people across the creative, outdoor, tech, and sports industries. The one book that I return to without hesitation is Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard. It confirmed everything I believed about business being a force larger than profit. Beyond books, spaces like Wonderfruit and events like Plus63 are where I find the creative energy that keeps me curious and honest.

Yvon Chouinard,founder of Patagonia ,an outdoor apparel also pioneered in the climbing world

What is your soundtrack like?

My music playlist moves across ’90s rock, hip-hop, and R&B to lo-fi jazz hip-hop of Nujabes. Lately, I have been deep into Anderson .Paak and Mac Miller—two artists that understand that music can be joyful and searching at the same time. Music is constant in every environment that I’m in.

Brandon Paak Anderson, better known as Anderson.Paak, is mostly heard in a duet with Bruno Mars-Leave the Door Open

What was the last piece of art that caught your attention?

Recently, there was a charity auction called Waves for Hope to establish the JCI Manila Foundation, with proceeds going to Waves for Water Philippines, and two artists made a lasting impression through that experience: Quiccs and Bernardo Pacquing. Seeing art carry a real social purpose in that kind of context is exactly the kind of convergence I live for.

Bernardo Pacqiung -Pink Painting ,oil on canvas

What film or television series are you currently hooked on?

Mad Men, Silicon Valley, Billions, Beef, and Modern Family. That range says everything about me. I go from studying systems and power to needing something that makes me laugh out loud.

Beef, a dark comedy anthology series created by Lee Sung Jin about a couple living parallel lives under different circumstances

Do you have a piece of jewellery or watch that you cannot part with?

A Cartier Tank watch, gifted by my wife Angela on our wedding day, never leaves my wrist. I also keep a Seiko Metronome close by—an ode to music lovers and a small reminder that rhythm matters in everything you do.

The Tank watch designed by Louis Cartier is defined by flat vertical brancards and a blue sapphire cabochon

What is your favorite travel destination?

I recently came back from Bhutan, and it genuinely stopped me in my tracks. Sixty percent of its forests are constitutionally protected, and the new plans for economic zones powered entirely by renewable energy showed me how a country is architecting its future with real intention. That combination of ecological discipline and economic ambition is rare and deeply aligned with everything I think about in my work.

Bhutan, nestled between China and India in the Eastern hemisphere of the Himalayas provides a unique political system worth probing into.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A perfect home with a sustainable, organic farm close to the ocean and mountains. No signal. Good food grown on the ground nearby. The people that I love within reach. That is enough.

Ethan Andre H. Gomez, 20 years old and a second-year student in Business Management at De La Salle University Taft, wanted to be a model since he was 15 years old. He felt that he was so unattractive that his ultimate goal in life was modeling—because in his mind, no one thought it was even possible. Contrary to Andre’s misconception of himself, he is now currently a model under Avenir Management in Manila, Philippines, proof of a reversal of fortune.

Styling by Yumi Aileena, photography by Chris Santos

What is it that you love about your work?
The artistic expression—turning the human body, a creation of Mother Nature, into a canvas through clothing, makeup, and expression. With every pose and expression, I reach into my mind for an emotion to bring out for the aesthetics of the photographic team.

Are you glued to anything on television currently?
I’ve been binge-watching all of Bridgerton with my mom on Netflix recently.

Bridgerton is an alternative history regency romance created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix

What is your soundtrack like?
Industrial, grunge, and rock. Also a lot of looksmaxxing edits. The community can be toxic, but the music slaps.

looksmaxxing edits refer to fast paced video montages on trending music

Is there a line from a novel or song that plays in your mind?
The entire chorus of “Snarky” by Quannic.

Quannic, one of the most exciting singer-songwriter-producers to emerge in indie rock of late

What scent do you wear?
Golden Rum by Scentsmith or a coffee-scented body oil. I don’t like traditional men’s fragrances; I find that the alcohol content is too strong for my nose.

Scentsmith is a Filipino fragrance house known for its artisans approach

What is your favorite travel destination?
Hmm, I would say Hong Kong. It has layers of neon lights against the mountains, tradition beside glass towers. Hong Kong feels like walking through a film set that’s constantly evolving. I find that very inspiring.

Hong Kong is a dynamic, densely populated metropolis often described as Asia’s World City. Photography by Chris Santos

What restaurant do you frequent?
Chicken HaHa. It’s pretty unhealthy, but I combine it with salads—a lot. Abroad, I try to make sure I don’t try the same place twice. It’s always good to discover.

Chicken HaHa is known for its crispy and moist chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce.

Are you inspired by any visual artist?
In terms of appearance (hair, clothes), I get inspired by Kole from Tokyo Sims.

Kole from Tokyo Sims is a controversial street interviewer on YouTube and Instagram.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A purpose now, good food, and great friends—all while being at peace and away from useless stress.