I grew up in a woodworking workshop. As far back as I can remember, my father and grandfather ran a small woodworking shop on one of the islands in the Philippines. As a child, the workshop was my playground — surrounded by tools, wood, and sawdust. I loved the smell of wood and the idea that you could make almost anything from it. If I wanted a toy gun, a boat, or an airplane, I didn’t buy it — I made it myself. That early freedom to create shaped how I see the world.

As I grew older, I initially dreamed of working at sea. I studied toward a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation with the goal of becoming a ship’s officer, but I didn’t complete the degree. Instead, I stayed closely involved with my family’s work, helping with housing development, furniture making, and construction projects. Between the ages of 18 and 25, I worked extensively in our family’s woodworking business, building skills through hands-on experience rather than formal schooling.

Later, I had the opportunity to work overseas in the UK on cruise ships, starting as a carpenter’s assistant. I began in a lower-ranked role as a painter and polisher, sanding, finishing, and assembling furniture interiors onboard. Over time, I worked on full furniture assemblies and repairs, gaining exposure to a wide range of styles — from modern to classic — and collaborating closely with designers.

Working on cruise ships gave me invaluable experience. I learned how designers think, how they translate ideas into drawings, and how those ideas must be adapted to work in real spaces. The company also invested in my development, allowing me to continuously upgrade my skills. Within two years, I became Chief of Maintenance, responsible for the full interior upkeep of the ship — including woodworking, furniture, carpets, wallpapers, and finishes. That role taught me how to execute work properly, efficiently, and at a very high standard.

What I enjoy most about woodworking is the challenge. Designers often present complex ideas that exist only on paper, and my role is to turn those ideas into reality. I love figuring out how to improve a design, make it stronger, more durable, and longer-lasting while keeping its intended aesthetic. Seeing a designer’s reaction — their excitement and satisfaction when the finished piece comes to life — gives me real joy and motivation.

I’m particularly drawn to complex and demanding designs. These projects stay with me, even outside the workshop, pushing me to think deeply about techniques, materials, and structure. My favourite approach is inspired by traditional Japanese woodworking. I admire how Japanese craftsmen study the character of the wood, use precise joinery, and respect the material. I trained in Japan and aim to blend these traditional techniques with modern design, combining strength, simplicity, and refinement.

Some of my favourite tools are traditional Japanese ones — especially the pull saw (nokogiri) and the Japanese hand plane (kanna), which can be finely adjusted for perfect finishes. These tools demand patience, control, and respect, which aligns with my philosophy.

One thing I strongly dislike is rushing. Quality furniture requires time — time to understand the wood, execute the joints correctly, and finish the piece properly. I believe good craftsmanship needs both time and budget. In every project, I give more than 100% of my skill, attention, and care. Clients invest their trust and money, and my goal is not just to meet expectations but to exceed them — to genuinely surprise them with the final result.

What drives me is the finished product. Along the way, I often find better solutions than what I initially planned, not through experimentation for its own sake, but through refinement in pursuit of the best outcome. Delivering the final piece, seeing the client’s reaction, and hearing their feedback energises me and fuels my excitement for the next project.

Outside the workshop, family is central to my life. I love my wife and children deeply. I enjoy cooking, which helps me relax and disconnect from the pressures of work. Seeing people enjoy food I’ve prepared brings me the same satisfaction as delivering a finished piece of furniture. I also love the water — taking my kids to the beach, swimming, and spending time by the sea helps ground and recharge me.

When I was younger, I was always making things with my hands. I was obsessed with Lego, building aircraft models, and anything that involved putting parts together and seeing something take shape. As I got older, that slowly faded away and I spent more and more time behind a computer. At some point, I hit a place where I felt completely lost, and I realised I needed to return to what had always worked for me — working with my hands, following a more natural path. That’s what led me to woodworking.

My background is a mix of aviation, computer science, business development, and finance. While those worlds taught me a lot, woodworking gave me something different — a sense of grounding and clarity that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I’ve been working with wood for about six months. I completed an entry‑level woodworking course at the beginning of 2025, but most of what I’ve learned has come from working on the job as an apprentice under Vicente. That hands‑on learning has shaped the way I approach the craft far more than any classroom ever could.

My favourite part of woodworking is working with machines, especially cleaning timber on the thicknesser. Feeling the wood, smelling it, and engaging all my senses puts me into a kind of moving meditation. It’s where everything else switches off. South African pine is a favourite because of its softness and smell, while oak draws me in for its grain and character.

If there’s one thing I don’t enjoy, it’s sanding, plastic and superwood. But every process has its place. I work largely through intuition, efficiency, and experimentation — and I’m constantly learning from Vicente, both in technique and mindset.

What I hope people feel when they use something I’ve made is inspiration, paired with everyday usefulness — pieces that are meant to be lived with, not just looked at.

Outside the workshop, you’ll usually find me training at the gym, rock climbing, riding dirt bikes, spending time in nature, listening to music, or cooking good, wholesome food.