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Ailyn Agonia
He has worked with two of biggest television networks in the Philippines, has rubbed shoulders with famous Filipino and international personalities and has been an eyewitness to many significant events and incidents that have unfolded in his home country.
Filipino expat Stephen Aquino Sales brings with him a wealth of experience and stories as he continues his career journey in Qatar as the only Filipino cameraman currently working with Al Rayyan Satellite Channel.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, the mediaperson with 28-year experience in the field animatedly shared his most memorable experiences in his line of work and while in the middle of action when he was in the Philippines.
Recalling his most memorable field experiences, Stephen said that aside from beating deadlines and catching flights from one place to another, his profession brought him to places, people and situations he never thought he would ever encounter.
“The most memorable assignment I have covered in my career so far was a documentary on gun running in the Island of Basilan, the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. It is memorable to me not only because of the nature or the way we documented the persons involved in the lucrative business but how in multiple times we were in most dangerous zones in the area. While in terms of the most memorable personality I was fortunate to meet in my line of work, I consider it to be Hollywood actor Martin Sheen because I am a huge fan of the classic 1979 Vietnam war movie Apocalypse Now,” said Stephen.
Stephen started his career in 1992 with ABS-CBN Alto Broadcasting Service – Chronicle Broadcasting Network as cameraman/ EFP (electronic field production) cameraman. He worked with ABS-CBN, a major Filipino media and entertainment group, until 2002.
After ABS-CBN he briefly worked as videographer with a digital production house. And in 2004, he got a chance to work with another giant television network in the Philippines, GMA7, where he continued to work before he left the Philippines to work in Kuwait in 2008 and later in Qatar.
Working on documentaries is one of the expertise that Stephen said have come to loved and enjoyed working on. He is part of the team behind the documentary titled Batang Kalakal (Child Scavengers) produced by GMA7’s Reporters Notebook show which bagged the Gold World Medal award for Best Human Interest Story in the 2008 New York Film Festivals for Television. Similarly, his team produced another notable documentary of GMA7 titled Bakal Boys (Metal Scraps Scavengers) which was named a finalist for Best Human Interest Story category in the 2005 New York Festivals for Television.
“In the course of my 28-year career, I have been with different people from the highest leaders of the land to the poorest members of the society. Indeed, I have developed a deep love and passion for my craft. I would say respect and appreciation of my work and resilience in the field are essential for me to be able to contribute productively to my team.
I have witnessed all walks of life which have opened my eyes to different layers of realities of living. I have also travelled to different places and countries and experienced various opportunities which I consider as part of the perks of my work,” Stephen said.
Bringing his expertise overseas, he added, is another milestone in his career life. In Kuwait, he worked as videographer and editor with Hadath News and Documentary Company Al Rumaithiya. In Qatar, he is once again turning a new leaf in his life with hope of enriching more his wealth of experience especially being the only Filipino cameraman in his workplace.
He said, “Being the only Filipino cameraman in my current workplace is a humbling experience for me. There was an instance when we were shooting at the sea in a speedboat while struggling to maintain our balance. The director praised my shot which really humbled me considering all of us, including my Arabic colleagues, did our best to get the best shots despite the challenging situation.”
Stephen looks forward to broadening more his experience and knowledge while in Qatar. He also hopes to inspire other Filipinos with interest in his line of work to pursue their interest.
“Follow your hearts desire and pour that overwhelming love to your chosen field because it will lead to your success. You will surely be rewarded and those in the top management of your organisation will notice your work if you have the uniqueness in sharing and giving your all. You can become the brightest star if you continue your passion, serving God and helping others by being an inspiration,” he fondly said in parting shot.
He has worked with two of biggest television networks in the Philippines, has rubbed shoulders with famous Filipino and international personalities and has been an eyewitness to many significant events and incidents that have unfolded in his home country.
Filipino expat Stephen Aquino Sales brings with him a wealth of experience and stories as he continues his career journey in Qatar as the only Filipino cameraman currently working with Al Rayyan Satellite Channel.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, the mediaperson with 28-year experience in the field animatedly shared his most memorable experiences in his line of work and while in the middle of action when he was in the Philippines.
Recalling his most memorable field experiences, Stephen said that aside from beating deadlines and catching flights from one place to another, his profession brought him to places, people and situations he never thought he would ever encounter.
“The most memorable assignment I have covered in my career so far was a documentary on gun running in the Island of Basilan, the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. It is memorable to me not only because of the nature or the way we documented the persons involved in the lucrative business but how in multiple times we were in most dangerous zones in the area. While in terms of the most memorable personality I was fortunate to meet in my line of work, I consider it to be Hollywood actor Martin Sheen because I am a huge fan of the classic 1979 Vietnam war movie Apocalypse Now,” said Stephen.
Stephen started his career in 1992 with ABS-CBN Alto Broadcasting Service – Chronicle Broadcasting Network as cameraman/ EFP (electronic field production) cameraman. He worked with ABS-CBN, a major Filipino media and entertainment group, until 2002.
After ABS-CBN he briefly worked as videographer with a digital production house. And in 2004, he got a chance to work with another giant television network in the Philippines, GMA7, where he continued to work before he left the Philippines to work in Kuwait in 2008 and later in Qatar.
Working on documentaries is one of the expertise that Stephen said have come to loved and enjoyed working on. He is part of the team behind the documentary titled Batang Kalakal (Child Scavengers) produced by GMA7’s Reporters Notebook show which bagged the Gold World Medal award for Best Human Interest Story in the 2008 New York Film Festivals for Television. Similarly, his team produced another notable documentary of GMA7 titled Bakal Boys (Metal Scraps Scavengers) which was named a finalist for Best Human Interest Story category in the 2005 New York Festivals for Television.
“In the course of my 28-year career, I have been with different people from the highest leaders of the land to the poorest members of the society. Indeed, I have developed a deep love and passion for my craft. I would say respect and appreciation of my work and resilience in the field are essential for me to be able to contribute productively to my team.
I have witnessed all walks of life which have opened my eyes to different layers of realities of living. I have also travelled to different places and countries and experienced various opportunities which I consider as part of the perks of my work,” Stephen said.
Bringing his expertise overseas, he added, is another milestone in his career life. In Kuwait, he worked as videographer and editor with Hadath News and Documentary Company Al Rumaithiya. In Qatar, he is once again turning a new leaf in his life with hope of enriching more his wealth of experience especially being the only Filipino cameraman in his workplace.
He said, “Being the only Filipino cameraman in my current workplace is a humbling experience for me. There was an instance when we were shooting at the sea in a speedboat while struggling to maintain our balance. The director praised my shot which really humbled me considering all of us, including my Arabic colleagues, did our best to get the best shots despite the challenging situation.”
Stephen looks forward to broadening more his experience and knowledge while in Qatar. He also hopes to inspire other Filipinos with interest in his line of work to pursue their interest.
“Follow your hearts desire and pour that overwhelming love to your chosen field because it will lead to your success. You will surely be rewarded and those in the top management of your organisation will notice your work if you have the uniqueness in sharing and giving your all. You can become the brightest star if you continue your passion, serving God and helping others by being an inspiration,” he fondly said in parting shot.
