Biography

Joaquin (a.k.a. Pedro) Valdes finished his Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Audio Visual Communication from the premiere Film Institution in the Philippines' State University (UPFI). Being mentored and groomed by renowned directors and cinematographers such as Nap Jamir, Erik Mati, Lyle Sacris and Rodolfo Aves Jr., Joaquin Pedro Valdes put on his directors hat as exemplified by the cutting edge short film entitled Bulong (Whisper). His film attests to his versatile and dynamic mode of storytelling as well as encompasses a wide range of aesthetics which he claims comes from influences as diverse as Woody Allen and David Fincher. He loves the audacious images of Spike Jonze and Chris Cunningham. Bulong was not only cited as the best Thesis Film during the University of the Philippines centennial year, it also garnered praise from the Short Film Corner of Cannes France, Sapporo, Japan and won the top price for the Short Narrative category in Beijing, China. Bulong continues to screen in various universities and campuses in the Philippines. Other Awards received by Bulong: 2008 Feliciano Award College of Mass Communication 2008 BEST THESIS UP FILM INSTITUTE College of Mass Communication 2008 Screened in Cannes Short Film Corner 2008 Screened in Cinemanila Young Cinema Exhibition 2008 Golden Duck Award Best Short Narrative New Beijing International Movie Week (NBIMW) 2009 Ani Ng Dangal Award NCCA 2008 Screened in San Beda Alabang and DLSU Dasmarinas for World Philosophy Week Now, Joaquin Pedro Valdes attempts to expand his artistic horizons by penetrating the advertising, commercial and international film and video scenes. Valdes is a self-confessed Viral addict and has committed a lot of his time to studying the science and language of this infant medium. After the successful run of the National Cheerleading Competition Virals (Go Tapa!), Valdes is in the process working on new virals that should be just as successful.