For many OFWs, leaving home begins as a practical decision — a job offer, a contract, a plan to build something steadier than what was left behind. For Jose Ralph Fernandez, it became the gateway to a career that would eventually place him behind the cameras of Hollywood productions.
Ralph, 36, was born and raised in Butuan and did not initially set out to become a filmmaker. He was studying nursing when photography quietly took over his life.
When passion overtook the plan
“I developed a deep interest in photography, inspired by my father, who had pursued it as a hobby in his younger years,” he says. While classmates pored over anatomy textbooks, Ralph found himself absorbed in shutter speeds and composition. “While I was still studying nursing, I often found myself setting aside my anatomy books, completely absorbed in learning the craft of photography day and night.”
Videography soon followed. His camera’s advanced video features opened a new world, and weddings and corporate productions became his training ground. By 2010, he was building a name for himself in the Philippines’ filmmaking circuit.
Dubai: Where risk met opportunity
In 2016, a family decision redirected his path. His wife accepted a nursing role in Dubai and relocated ahead of him. The move, he admits, was both strategic and exciting.
“The prospect of moving to such an ultra-modern city was exciting, and the new environment provided invaluable experiences and growth,” he says.
Before even boarding his flight, Ralph had already reached out to Hatim Saleh, owner of Choppershoot, the UAE’s largest aerial filming company. He wanted in. After completing a trial project in Dubai, he secured the role — becoming the first Filipino drone pilot and camera operator for the company.
Working on major Bollywood films and large-scale commercial projects sharpened his precision. “Many scenes could only be executed once, leaving no room for error,” he recalls. Yet the high stakes only strengthened him. “Our team—composed of exceptional pilots, camera operators, and technicians—was incredibly solid, making even the most challenging projects feel seamless.”
Six years in the UAE would prove to be his crucible.
From aerial shots to Hollywood sets
In 2022, Ralph and his family moved again — this time to the United States, a long-term goal they had quietly nurtured. “Moving to the US was inevitable for us; it was our long-term plan,” he says. “My wife has been my greatest supporter; she always motivates me to take the next step. Dubai honed us in every way. If we had gone straight to the US, I would not have made it this far.”
Now working with Ascend Specialty Camera, the largest aerial and specialty camera movement company on the East Coast, and recently relocating to Washington state for freelance projects across the West Coast, Ralph has contributed to major productions including The Electric State and Peacemaker.
“It was an exhilarating experience fulfilling a lifelong dream of working in Hollywood,” he says. As a child, he watched the series Movie Magic, fascinated by how films were made. “Two decades later, I found myself contributing to the very industry that once inspired me and encountering renowned actors—such as Liam Neeson—whom I previously knew only from the screen.”
The achievement that matters most
After ten years abroad, multiple countries, and a resume that spans continents, Ralph measures success differently.
“In reflecting on my life and accomplishments, my family stands as the achievement I cherish most,” he says. His two sons, Asher and Colin, are his daily motivation. “I want them to know that with dedication and belief in themselves, their dreams are within reach and their goals attainable.”
His mantra, drawn from Wayne Gretzky — “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — has shaped every move from Butuan to Dubai to the U.S.
And for Ralph, each shot taken has led to a bigger frame.
