Vinz Pascua
I’m Vinz, an artist, designer, and wildlife photographer based in Subic Bay, Philippines.
Although I was born in Manila and raised in Quezon City, my true identity came from exploring the islands of the Philippines and beyond. I grew up hiking the forests of Negros, strolling through the lowlands of Pangasinan, and I’ve lived my college years abroad over at Sydney, Australia.
These early memories and recent experiences of traveling beyond my home have always informed both my design and photography works, blending in various elements from different Filipino cultures with our country’s own natural wonders, from various fauna, flora, and beyond. My love for showcasing Philippine biodiversity and Filipino culture stems from my family. Photographing birds through my dad’s early sorties and getting to know the various reptiles and amphibians through my mom’s uncle, Lolo Angel Alcala, deepened my interest at an early age, and it is a passion that I hold close to my heart today.
Art & Design
My background as an artist and designer began in High School, where I was actively involved in various batch events and clubs over the course of my 6-year tenure. I studied in Philippine Science High School Main Campus, specializing in Biology, Engineering, and Technology during my later years. As expected of a very science-oriented high school, my family expected me to become a scientist, like Lolo Angel, during my stay. I ultimately discovered my passion and my initial skills as an artist and designer. Early breakthroughs during that period include designing the first Philippine Science High School Main Campus Sablay, the current Specialization Years Program uniform, and I've joined multiple committees, such as TEDxYouthPSHSMain, Karimlan Fair 2019, and the 2021 Yearbook Committee, where I spearheaded the Design subcommittee.
I've since graduated with Distinctions from the University of Sydney, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture in 2025. I became a member of the Filipino Student Society of the University of Sydney (FSS USYD) and served as its Creative Director for 2023. My stay in USYD, and in Australia as a whole, has been a transformative one, especially as a Filipino. During this period, I began to learn more about the Philippines, through its pre-colonial roots and its modern contemporaries. Despite being a Filipino living far away from home, being away from it made me embrace more of who I am as a Filipino, and I started sharing that with the world. It started with simple things, like our promotional posts for FSS USYD, but then I began to own it, even extending to my coursework, from tackling projects related to tropical housing to analyzing and breaking down the patterns behind Philippine textiles.
At the moment, I serve as the Chief Design Officer of Birds in Focus, Inc. (BIF), handling both Haring Ibon and Bird Finder Philippines. My latest design works for Haring Ibon include the Haring Ibon Playing Cards, Keychains, Sticker Sheet Sets, and his book, Birds of Subic Bay. My work with Haring Ibon and BIF has since been instrumental in the company's new direction, with a focus on our latest publications and my own in-house illustrations taking shape in several of our brand-new items. And, it has allowed me to work with a lot of partners and clients for collaborative projects.
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Ocean Adventure Subic Bay
Camayan Beach Resort & Hotel
Balinsasayaw Twin Lakes Farmers Association, Inc.
Wild Bird Club of the Philippines
Don Islao Farmhouse
Balay Prinsesa Beachcamps
Regalo ng Kilit Foundation
Barangay Caliling, Batay Dagat
The National Scientist Dr. Angel C. Alcala Awards, Inc.
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13th Asian Bird Fair: Las Pinas
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
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Birds of Subic Bay
Endangered Bird Species of the Philippines
Official Asian Bird Fair 2025 Booklet
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Graphika Manila 2025 Special Edition Art Book - Featured Artist
Wildlife Photography
I began my wildlife photography journey around the age of 8 and have since grown into the Philippines' premier bird photographer, thanks to the guidance of my father, Alain Pascua.
My biggest growth as a wildlife photographer occurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic, when we moved to Subic. That period was when I rediscovered my passion for birding and exploring the various birds of the Philippines. My stay in Subic eventually led me to write a book titled “Birds of Subic Bay,” featuring the avian wonders of the Philippines’ most treasured birding site. I’ve since co-authored Endangered Bird Species of the Philippines, and have contributed to other books like The Peregrine Falcon by Richard Sale and Steve Watson, and Broeden voor behoud (Breeding for Conservation) 2nd Edition by Sissi Roodhart and Romy Groenhuysen.
My photographic works have been displayed across several exhibits nationwide, from the 2023 GraphicExpo to one of the largest LED screens in the country with the Quantum Display of Gateway Mall with Araneta City. My presence online has led to numerous collaborations and opportunities with local and international brands and companies such as LowePro, Merrell, Fujifilm Philippines, and Canon Australia, among many others.
I am also an official member of the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, representing both organizations in local and international birding-related events. Feel free to catch me during the next meeting or anniversary event of the clubs!
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Birds of Subic Bay (Author)
Endangered Bird Species of the Philippines (Co-author)
The Peregrine Falcon by Richard Sale and Steve Watson (Contributor)
Broeden voor behoud (Breeding for Conservation) 2nd Edition by Sissi Roodhart and Romy Groenhuysen (Contributor)
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Araneta City
LowePro
Merrell
Fujifilm Philippines
Canon Australia
Greenpeace
Discovery Southeast Asia
High Peak Roastery
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EcoBusiness: Students for sustainability… wildlife photographer Vinz Pascua by Rhick Lars Albay
Global Landscapes Forum: 8 inspirational wildlife photographers to follow in 2024
Pinoy Scientists: A Conversation About Pinoy Scientists in Conservation by Liv Licardo
Discovery Channel Southeast Asia: From the heart of Southeast Asia to your feed
Ang Pahayagan: “Birds of Subic Bay” book launch by Jun Dumaguing
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BirdLife International DataZone
Wild Bird Club of the Philippines: First Region 1 Birding Caravan
Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines
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GraphicExpo 2023
PhotoWorld Asia 2023
Wild Bird Club of the Philippines Exhibit 2024
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2025 Department of Tourism Region 1 Birding Caravan - Best Collection of Bird Photographs
Awarded for having the best collection of bird photographs across the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte.
2025 Department of Tourism Region 1 Birding Caravan - 3rd Most number of Birds Recorded
Recorded the 3rd most number of bird species across the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte.
2024 Puerto Princesa Underground River 7th International Bird Photography Race - Grand Champion (Team Bird Finder)
Photographed the most number of species in Puerto Princesa during the span of 2 days as a group
2025 Vietnam Bird Race - Participant
2025 Fraser's Hill International Bird Race - Participant
2024 Puerto Princesa Underground River 7th International Bird Photography Race - Birdman of the Year
Photographed the most number of species in Puerto Princesa during the span of 2 days as an individual
2024 Puerto Princesa Underground River 7th International Bird Photography Race- Best Bird Action Photo
Highest ranking bird action photograph as deemed by the judges of the bird action photo contest
2022 Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines Infanta-Real Bird Photography Race - Grand Champion (Team Birds in Focus)
Photographed the most number of species in Infanta-Real Quezon during the span of 1 day as a group
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.