I was born in Manila to two very loving and nurturing parents earnestly making their way through post-martial law Philippines. As an 80’s kid, I geeked out on anything to do with fantasy and future possibilities. I was fascinated by the concept of our purpose and existence in the universe, so emulating the values of comic book superheroes and experimenting with science, technology and the realms of the unknown were high on my list of interests. We emigrated to Australia when I was 7, where growing up in western Sydney gave me opportunities to explore various careers and businesses in different fields to satisfy my curiosity and passion for learning what makes the world tick.

My studies revolved around computer science, graphic design, 3D animation and business development, while I built career experience in food and hospitality, residential construction, sales and marketing, logistics and quality control management, health and wellness, and web development.

Simultaneously, I pursued my passions in music, martial arts, and alternative sports; performing internationally and cultivating a network of creative pursuits that eventually lead to forming my first design business, followed by a music and resource management company.

Life then was an ideal mix of playing drums and percussion on TV and live stages with celebrities and independent artists, helping artists and creative entrepreneurs develop their music and artistry, with graphic design and website building continuing between gigs. I enjoyed the spark of excitement in helping people bring life to their concepts, whether in art, music, or other businesses, so I ran my engine at full throttle.

Consequently, burning the candle at both ends led to a nerve-based stroke, paralysing my left side and rendering me unable to work, perform, and essentially live the life I had built up over decades. My physical and mental health was challenged, so I sought respite on the tropical island of Phuket, Thailand to redirect my compass. Removing myself momentarily out of the rat-race of the modern world allowed me to realign myself into establishing a foundation for creative wellness, according to a less cerebral and more intuitive sense of balance in my lifestyle. Taking the time to delve into self-care, reconnecting with nature, exploring various healing modalities, and establishing new ventures eventually lead me on the road to recovery.

I co-founded a vegan restaurant chain and began building a creative wellness resort on a small island so that other people experiencing creative burnout would also have a place of respite. Together with my partner at the time, friends, and the local community, our vision to create an environment for people to rediscover their health and spark their creativity was born.

Jaiyen is a place that I am truly grateful to be living in, which has so much potential for people to cultivate their best selves.

I will forever be MacGyver’ing my way through life as a jack of all trades and my hope is that I can share my experiences with others to help them find their sense of balance, so that they can contribute their unique superpowers toward a positive and progressive future for all.