Vinz Pascua

Vinz Pascua is an artist, designer, and wildlife photographer based in Subic Bay, Philippines. Vinz is the Chief Design Officer of Birds in Focus, Inc., handling the creative works of Haring Ibon and Bird Finder Philippines.

Although he was born in Manila and raised in Quezon City, his true identity emerged from exploring the islands of the Philippines and beyond. He grew up hiking the forests of Negros and strolling through the lowlands of Pangasinan, and he spent his college years abroad in Sydney, Australia.

These early memories, along with his recent travels beyond his home, have consistently informed both his design and photography works. He blends various elements from different Filipino cultures with the country’s natural wonders, showcasing a diversity of fauna and flora. His love for highlighting Philippine biodiversity and Filipino culture is rooted in his family. Early experiences photographing birds with his father and learning about various reptiles and amphibians from his mother’s uncle, Lolo Angel Alcala, deepened his interest at an early age, which has grown into a passion he holds close to his heart today.

Awards & Achievements

  • 43rd National Book Awards (2026)

    • Best Book in Science - Birds of Subic Bay

      • National Award conferred by the National Book Development Board and Filipino Critics Circle for the writing and publication of a book covering the scientific field of the Philippines.

  • 1st Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park Bird Photography Race (2026)

    • Best Endemic Bird Photo

  • Graphika Manila Special Edition Art Book (2025)

    • Featured Artist

  • Puerto Princesa Underground River 8th International Bird Photography Race (2025)

    • Grand Champion (Team Bird Finder)

  • Department of Tourism Region 1 Birding Caravan (2025)

    • Best Collection of Bird Photographs

  • Puerto Princesa Underground River 7th International Bird Photography Race (2024)

    • Grand Champion (Team Bird Finder)

      • Photographed the most number of species as a group

  • Puerto Princesa Underground River 7th International Bird Photography Race (2024)

    • Birdman of the Year

      • Photographed the most number of species as an individual

  • Puerto Princesa Underground River 7th International Bird Photography Race (2024)

    • Best Bird Action Photo

  • Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines Infanta-Real Bird Photography Race (2022)

    • Grand Champion (Team Birds in Focus)

      • Photographed the most number of species as a group

  • 1st Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park Bird Photography Race (2026)

    • 2nd Place

      • Photographed the second most number of species as an individual

  • Department of Tourism Region 1 Birding Caravan (2025)

    • 3rd Place

      • Recorded the third most number of species as an individual

  • Noel Chettle Memorial Art Prize (2025)

    • Shortlist Recognition from The University of Sydney

  • Vietnam Bird Race (2025)

    • Participant

  • Fraser's Hill International Bird Race, Malaysia (2025)

    • Participant

Publications

  • Birds of Subic Bay (2024)

    • Author

    • Published by Birds in Focus, Inc.

  • Endangered Bird Species of the Philippines (2022)

    • Co-author

    • Published by Birds in Focus, Inc.

  • Lord of the Forest: The Fall and Rise of the Great Philippine Eagle (2025)

    • Contributor

    • Authored by Alain Pascua

    • Published by Birds in Focus, Inc.

  • The Peregrine Falcon (2023)

    • Contributor

    • Authored by Richard Sale and Steve Watson

    • Published by Snowfinch Publishing (UK)

  • Broeden voor behoud (Breeding for Conservation) 2nd Edition (2022)

    • Contributor

    • Authored by Sissi Roodhart and Romy Groenhuysen

    • Published by Parkieten Sociëteit (The Netherlands)

Design Clients

  • Haring Ibon

  • Bird Finder Philippines

  • Birds in Focus, Inc.

  • La Mesa Ecopark

  • Ocean Adventure Subic Bay

  • Balinsasayaw Twin Lakes Farmers Association, Inc.

  • Birdwing Puerto Princesa

  • Regalo ng Kilit Foundation

  • Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines

  • Wild Bird Club of the Philippines

  • Don Islao Farmhouse

  • Camayan Beach Resort & Hotel

  • Balay Prinsesa Beachcamps

  • Barangay Caliling, Batay Dagat

  • The National Scientist Dr. Angel C. Alcala Awards, Inc.

Book, Layout, & Cover Design

  • Lord of the Forest: The Fall and Rise of the Great Philippine Eagle (2025)

    • Authored by Alain Pascua

    • Overall Book Design, Cover, Layout, Illustrations, and Creative Direction

  • Birds of Subic Bay by Vinz Pascua (2024)

    • Authored by Vinz Pascua

    • Overall Book, Layout, and Cover Design

  • Endangered Bird Species of the Philippines (2022)

    • Authored by Alain Pascua, Vinz Pascua, Don Geoff Tabaranza, Maia Tañedo, Marie Jocelle Mina, Marr Darwin Antonio, John Matthew Clemente, and Ivan Carl Yap

    • Cover Design and Minor Contributions to Layout Design

  • Official Asian Bird Fair 2025 Booklet (2024)

    • Cover Design

  • Philippine Science High School Main Campus Yearbook (2021)

    • Overall Book Design, Layout, Illustrations, and Creative Direction

Design Project Director

  • 13th Asian Bird Fair: Las Piñas

  • Filipino Student Society of The University of Sydney

  • Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines

  • Philippine Science High School Main Campus Batch 2021 Yearbook

  • BrainBlast 2021

Guest Speaking

  • Quezon City Bird Race (2026)

    • Processing Bird Photographs with the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines

  • Dumaguete Literary Festival (2026)

    • Libraria Dumaguete and Arts + Design Collective Dumaguete

  • 9th National Wildlife Quiz, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (2025)

    • Introduction to Philippine Birds and the Birds of Negros Island

  • Philippine Foreign Service Institute (2025)

    • Birding in Subic Bay with Haring Ibon, Bird Finder Philippines, Bird in Focus, Inc., SBMA, and FSI Philippines

  • Philippine Science High School Main Campus - Youth Mathematics, Science and Technology Week: AGHAMNATION: Agham ni Juan para sa Bayan (2025)

    • Embracing Wildlife in our Everyday Lives

Content Creation Collaborations

  • Araneta City

  • LowePro

  • Merrell

  • Novice Magazine Philippines

  • Fujifilm Philippines

  • Canon Australia

  • Greenpeace

  • Talarak Foundation

  • Bayawan Nature Reserve

  • Discovery Southeast Asia

  • High Peak Roastery

Article & Video Features

Online Contributions

Scientific Research Publications

  • A taxonomic revision of the Naked-faced Spiderhunter Arachnothera clarae. (2026)

    • Nigel J. Collar, Matthew R. Halley, & Robert O. Hutchinson

    • Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club. 146. 189-202. 10.25226/bboc.v146i2.2026.a5.

    • Photograph contribution.

  • Field observations and citizen science reveal ecological insights into rare and threatened parrots in the Philippines. (2026)

    • Vince Angelo Gicaraya & Carmela Española

    • Journal of Threatened Taxa. 18. 28174-28185. 10.11609/jott.9812.18.1.28174-28185.

    • Photograph contribution.

  • Report on Rapid Avifaunal Assessment of the VPO Ecoreserve, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. (2022)

    • Don Geoff Tabaranza, Alain del Pascua, Vicente Cornelio Pascua, Benjamin Maputi, Jr., & Felizardo Goring.

    • VPO Farms and Eco Reserve.

Art & Photography Exhibits

  • Baybayin Ateneo SIGLA Art Exhibit (2026)

    • 2026 Sigla: Ateneo Cultural Convention

    • Ateneo de Manila University

  • The Flight of Philippine Birds (2025)

    • Araneta City, Gateway Mall, Quantum Skyview

  • Birds of Subic Bay at the Philippine Heritage Gallery (2025)

    • Ocean Adventure Subic Bay

  • Subaraw Biodiversity Festival (2024 & 2025)

    • Puerto Princesa City Government

  • Exhibit of Philippine-endemic Birds (2024)

    • Wild Bird Club of the Philippines

  • GraphicExpo (2023)

  • PhotoWorld Asia (2023)

Booths & Events

Mostly done under Haring Ibon - Birds in Focus, Inc.

  • Quezon City Bird Race (2026)

  • Dumaguete Literary Festival (2026)

    • Also hosted a Children's Event session with Libraria Dumaguete entitled "Learn About Philippine Birds" on April 18, 2026

  • Philippine Book Festival (2026)

    • Also hosted a Meet-and-greet session on March 14, 2026

  • Sigla: Ateneo Cultural Convention (2026)

  • ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity 20th Anniversary Biodiversity Marketplace (2025)

  • World Bird Fair (2025

  • Manila International Book Fair (2025)

    • Also hosted a Meet-and-greet session on September 14, 2025

  • Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit (2025)

  • Philippine Book Festival (2025)

    • Also hosted a Meet-and-greet session on March 14, 2025

  • Philippine Experience Program - Central Luzon (2024)

    • Copies of Birds of Subic Bay were given to the ambassadors of Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as then-DOT Secretary Christina Frasco.

Volunteer Work

  • Asian Waterbird Census - Bulacan (2026)

    • Accompanied and organized by the DENR and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. 2-day avifaunal survey counting and recording the migratory birds of the Northern Manila Bay, Bulacan area.

  • Asian Waterbird Census - Bulacan (2025)

    • Accompanied and organized by the DENR and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. 2-day avifaunal survey counting and recording the migratory birds of the Northern Manila Bay, Bulacan area.

  • Asian Waterbird Census - Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (2024)

    • Accompanied and organized by the DENR and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. 1-day avifaunal survey counting and recording the migratory birds of the Las Piñas Manila Bay area.

  • Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat Ecotourism Area Peregrine Falcon Survey (2021)

    • Monitored the existence of a local Peregrine Falcon in the Sasmuan Area. Documented other findings of other bird species in the area.

  • DSWD Reception and Study Center for Children (2017)

Background

Art & Design

Vinz Pascua’s background as an artist and designer began in high school, where he was actively involved in various events and clubs throughout his six-year tenure. He studied at the Philippine Science High School Main Campus, specializing in Biology, Engineering, and Technology during his later years. Given the science-oriented nature of the school, his family expected him to pursue a career as a scientist, like Lolo Angel, during his time there. However, he ultimately discovered his passion and initial skills as an artist and designer. Early breakthroughs during this period included designing the first Philippine Science High School Main Campus Sablay and the current Specialization Years Program uniform. He also participated in multiple committees, such as TEDxYouthPSHSMain, Karimlan Fair 2019, and the 2021 Yearbook Committee, where he led the Design subcommittee.

Vinz Pascua graduated with Distinctions from the University of Sydney, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture in 2025. He became a member of the Filipino Student Society of the University of Sydney (FSS USYD) and served as its Creative Director in 2023. His time at USYD, and in Australia as a whole, was transformative, especially as a Filipino. During this period, he began to learn more about the Philippines, exploring its pre-colonial roots and modern contemporaries. Despite living far from home, this experience allowed him to embrace his Filipino identity more fully and share it with the world. It started with simple projects for promotional posts for FSS USYD, but he eventually integrated this focus into his coursework, tackling projects related to tropical housing and analyzing patterns in Philippine textiles.

Currently, Vinz Pascua serves as the Chief Design Officer of Birds in Focus, Inc. (BIF), overseeing both Haring Ibon and Bird Finder Philippines. His latest design works for Haring Ibon include the Haring Ibon Playing Cards, keychains, sticker sheet sets, and his book, *Birds of Subic Bay*. His contributions to Haring Ibon and BIF have been instrumental in the company’s new direction, particularly in its latest publications and the development of in-house illustrations for various brand-new items. This role has also allowed him to collaborate with numerous partners and clients on various projects.

Background

Wildlife Photography

Vinz Pascua began his wildlife photography journey at the age of 8 and has since become one of the Philippines' premier bird photographers, thanks to the guidance of his father, Alain Pascua.

His most significant growth as a wildlife photographer occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when his family moved to Subic. This period allowed him to rediscover his passion for birding and explore the diverse avian life of the Philippines. His time in Subic eventually inspired him to write a book titled Birds of Subic Bay, which showcases the avian wonders of the Philippines’ most treasured birding site. He has also co-authored Endangered Bird Species of the Philippines and contributed to other books such as The Peregrine Falcon by Richard Sale and Steve Watson, as well as Broeden voor behoud (Breeding for Conservation) 2nd Edition by Sissi Roodhart and Romy Groenhuysen.

His photographic works have been exhibited across several shows nationwide, including the 2023 GraphicExpo and on one of the largest LED screens in the country at the Quantum Display of Gateway Mall in Araneta City. His online presence has led to numerous collaborations and opportunities with local and international brands and companies, including LowePro, Merrell, Fujifilm Philippines, and Canon Australia, among others.

Vinz Pascua is also an official member of the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, where he represents both organizations at local and international birding-related events. He encourages others to join him at the next meeting or anniversary event of the clubs!

Let’s make Philippine Wildlife a part of our Everyday Lives

If you would like to collaborate with me on a project, whether as an artist or photographer, please don't hesitate to contact me through this simple form. Be as thorough or as concise as you like, I’ll make sure to respond when you send a form.

We’d love to invite creative and like-minded partners to craft and explore the beauty of the Philippines with us for the world.