Directed, filmed, produced, and edited, this instructional climbing film featuring my friend and climbing partner, Ivan Gino Cataluña, created in preparation for his upcoming speaking tour in the Philippines. The film provides an introduction to the fundamentals of traditional (Trad) climbing, exploring essential techniques, equipment, protection placement, rope management, and the decision-making involved in building a safe and efficient Trad climbing system.
The project was particularly meaningful given Ivan’s recent achievement with Project Pango, becoming part of the first Filipino team to climb “The Nose” on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California, from May 13–16, 2026. The video focuses on the knowledge and technical foundation behind the discipline—capturing Ivan as both an accomplished climber and an educator sharing his experience with the next generation of Filipino climbers.
From a production standpoint, I was responsible for direction, cinematography, and visual storytelling, balancing instructional clarity with the atmosphere and character of the climbing environment. The goal was to create something that felt authentic to the climbing community while communicating technical information in a visually engaging and approachable way.