About Pacifiqa
Pacifiqa is a digital news outlet designed for the 21st century. We cover the latest in Philippine news, pop culture, and lifestyle. Through our original features, in-depth story-telling and rapid-fire news aggregation and analysis, Pacifiqa embodies the era of the digital citizen.
We combine the fundamental elements of intelligent journalism with cutting edge technologies to provide news and information where it is most valuable — everywhere, all the time.
As we build and refine Pacifiqa, we are focused on improving our coverage of stories that matter and make a difference. Feel free to reach us where you are most comfortable — Twitter, Facebook, [email protected], +63 2 553 6336.
… and if you really insist
Unit 230, 124 Valero St. Salcedo Village, Makati, Philippines 1227
The Team
Our small but steadily growing team of contributors:
Gian Cruz | @giancinephile
Gian is an artist/photographer and at other times a writer. Somewhat fine-tuned by his background in Communication Arts and Art Theory & Criticism, a childhood spent hoarding and reading fashion magazines, and a semi-recent post at a contemporary art museum in Seoul, he finds himself addressing his preoccupations with contemporary art, cinema and fashion more and more in writing these days.
Portia Ladrido | @portiamazing
Portia notes every single vision, color, and texture to tangibility every time she wakes up. She writes and styles for a women’s magazine to indulge her fashion fancies and her love of well-made puns. For Portia, real life starts after 6 p.m. and the healthiest way to live is through dousing one’s self in books, music, the arts, and a dash of social networking.
Ken Filomeno | @kenekthedots
A dreamer of many things who constantly imagines being related to Oprah, Beyonce, Aretha and Jaya along with being the fourth member of Destiny’s Child. Ken is a wannabe writer who thinks about existentialist things in the shower and figures out what life is all about (and amazes himself with such discovery) until he steps out of the bathroom and forgets everything. He often loses himself into the thoughts of others, wandering around in the world of novels and music. He keeps a blog on the side where he writes not to please anybody, but to save himself from insanity.
Paolo Jose Cruz | @paolojcruz
Paolo Jose Cruz is a man of many hats, among them: founder and quizmaster of GeekFight Trivia Night, freelance pop media critic, and refugee from the outsourcing industry. He’s determined to find the ideal arrangement for his hat rack, so to speak.
Nicai de Guzman | @nicaideguzman
Nicai de Guzman graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. A former host of 5 and Up and eventually a reporter and producer at Kabataan News Network, she now works as a copywriter for one of the country’s leading mobile content providers. She also works a contributor for SPOT.ph and SexAndSensibilities.com. In her spare time, she volunteers for the Heritage Conservation Society-Youth and Probe Media Foundation’s Mulat Pinoy.
Paolo Mariano |
Paolo S. Marinao is a head writer/producer under the news department of a TV company. He also contributes for various magazines and websites, mostly about sports. He graduated with a degree in Journalism at the University of Sto. Tomas in year 2000-something. He was once invited to the training camp of the New York Knicks after a productive yet under-the-radar semipro career in Europe. He’s also delusional at times.
Tomi Uysingco | @knivesoutbaby
Writer by day, makes music as KLMBRNG by odd hours of the night. Runs the occult informed netlabel Cult Shit Media Blackout. Has too many opinions he can’t keep to himself.
Juan Sinag Cano |
A Philosophy major from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines who loves to write about the stuff that bothers him. He must’ve eaten a lotus flower because he’s always on the road. He is your not-so-typical ‘underground scene’ tour guide.
Duane Lucas Pascua |
Duane is a writer, artist, film critic, filmmaker, and former pro fighter. He has a collection of stuffed animals which he converses with when no one is looking.
Bong Sta. Maria |
Bong Sta. Maria is a twentysomething freelance writer who occasionally makes zines. She usually writes about music, literature, and travel. Her favorite color is light tan, and her favorite animal is poopies.
The even smaller list of full-time staff:
Gabriel la Ó | @gplao | [email protected]
Gabriel la Ó is an editor for Pacifiqa. Despite having completed formal training as an architect, he has always had a passion for news and current events. While working in the construction industry, Gabriel moonlighted as a journalism student, and has worked and written for GlobalPost, a Boston-based news website focused on world news.
Camille Banzon | @camillebanzon | [email protected]
Camille Banzon is an editor and reporter for Pacifiqa. For three years, Camille worked as the entertainment editor for International Business Times. Camille also writes features and reviews for Amplify.ph, a local website promoting local music, and also contributes for FHM.com.ph. Camille studied Communication Arts in University of Santo Tomas, and was an active member of the Thomasian Writers Guild. On her spare time, she likes to travel, stock up on trivia, dig through record crates, and think about what her life could have been if she was from the early 1900’s.
Karmela Tordecilla | @karmeladadidadi | [email protected]
Karmela finished with a degree in Journalism at the University of the Philippines Diliman. After a short stint in corporate marketing, she now writes for Pacifiqa. Her hobbies include drawing portraits, impulsive book shopping, and taking long walks to the fridge.
Christian Tan | [email protected]
Christian is the head of Intelligence and Analytics for Pacifiqa. He is also an e-commerce professional currently responsible for TJMaxx.com‘s web analytics. His former life dealt with AB testing and portfolio management for Staples.com. When he’s not dealing with excel spreadsheets and fancy algorithms, he watches Game of Thrones and plays board games.