Lester Millado

2017 - We took our first trip together, to a place called Big Island. To this day, Waipi’o Valley is our most favourite place we’ve ever visited. I knew then, that one day I was going to propose to Vanesa here. November 30, 2019 It was a torrential downpour kind of rainy day in Hilo, Big Island. We landed less than 48 hours prior. Our schedule had it that we were going to go to Waipi’o on this day, rain or shine. We've been to a few countries together and also individually have seen many corners of the world, and we can both agree that Waipi'o is our favourite place on this planet. A place we call ours. A gigantic waterfall at it's southern point, streams a river that pushes north through green mountains, and eventually beyond a black sand beach, into the Pacific Ocean. This is at Big Island's northern side. We drove through sheets of rain and drums of thunder and eventually found ourselves on the black sand of Waipi'o Valley. I was sweating and stressed the entire ride up. I had coordinated my brother and his girlfriend (and a few others) to join in on the surprise. They had flown in a day before us to beat us to the location. There’s no signal on your way up to Waipi’o and we were running two hours behind schedule because I had to act like it was just a regular day. But always have faith in the gameplan! We pull up and the beach is, for the most part, empty. It’s go time. I told Vanesa, “let’s just go swimming for a bit, and figure it out afterwards. If the rain persists, we can just leave”. But we should at least take a photo first. If you checked out Vanesa’s post yesterday, you’ll see a bunch of photos that I had us take to one day create a flipbook of our travels. This was my scheme to get Vanesa to think we were just taking another photo. But instead, this time, I recorded a video so that we could have this special moment forever. I cut out me walking back and forth to the camera pretending to set it up and telling her “let’s do another one”. We must’ve taken five photos in the rain, just because I was so nervous. Eventually, I took the leap. And it looked like this. A month from now, we’re going to be married. Life is truly amazing, man.

Vanesa, I love you endlessly. CREDITS By @duepinlac & @tier0 Cinematography by @duepinlac & @jeromeriel Edit by @duepinlac Coloured by @bykevinwu @artjail Post Sound by @bloorstreetsound Photography by @jayscale & @doncharleone Arri Alexa Mini + Arri Amira + Arri Alura Zooms graciously sponsored by @danielshojaei // @ontariocamera & @jeromeriel A lot of family came together to make our wedding video happen for us. Mad love for all of you ♥️

Happiest birthday to my wifey. You’re gonna be the best mama to our baby boy. I’m so excited to embark on this next chapter with you. Here’s to your 30th. More life ❤️‍🔥

From Canada to the Philippines! Our film, INANG REYNA is coming to select Metro Manila cinemas this 23rd to 29th of March as part of the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2026! ✨ Stay tuned for the screening venues and schedules! #SineLokalPangInternasyonal #SinagMaynila

🎥✨ In Conversation with RISE Tribe: “Hyphenated” – Filipinx Creativity Across Film RISE is proud to host a panel presented by the Society of Cinematographers @canadiancinematographer to spotlight Filipinx voices in cinematography and creative leadership at the Siné Institute Industry Conference. For many diasporic Filipinx, “hyphenated” means navigating multifaceted identities, talents and passions. Rooted in diskarte (ingenuity/creativity) and kapwa (interconnectedness), we’ll explore how the “hyphen” shapes the way Filipinx creatives create, collaborate, and lead. 🗓️ March 5 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 📍George Brown Polytechnic Waterfront Campus PANELISTS 🎥 Angel Navarro III @angelnavarrofilms , Cinematographer 🎥 Lester Millado @lesmillado , Cinematographer 🎥 Raymond Tuquero @rayt_visual , Cinematographer & Director MODERATOR 🎙️Rielle Ramos @rielliebelly , Producer & Production Manager 🎟️ Panels are free and open to anyone to attend 🔗 Register through link in bio 🏆 Attend to win 1 of 3 @layeredbutter book bundles 📓 Check out @sineinstitute masterclasses in association with @pwrforward and @filcancreative

“Balikbayan: Hand Delivered” with Director Marc André Debruyne A year later, we return with another Balikbayan campaign for Coca Cola. Shooting in the Philippines has been a dream I’ve named out loud since the start, shared often, and chased with intention. Reaching it in my 12th year feels both serendipitous and grounding. A gentle reminder that the work finds you when you stay the course. Grateful beyond words to my brothers @marcandredebruyne and @esguerrachris for their trust, collaboration, and for inviting me into another meaningful chapter. Touching down in Manila alongside Typhoon Uwan was a testament to the resilience and spirit of this team. And as always, deep thanks to our small but mighty crew who carried this across the finish line. Hope to be back in the Philippines again soon 🫶🏽 Director - @marcandredebruyne Executive Producer (Mowad) - @jnadalin @mowadinc Agency Producer (VML) - @esguerrachris @vml_canada Manila Producer - @nomercado13 @hotandfreshproduction Manila 1st AD - @iamcaptainmarvel DOP - @lesmillado Toronto 1st AC - @ryanmcintyre33 Manila 1st AC -  @markjosephsaludes Manila 2nd AC - @xtiandc12 B Camera Operator - @gilbertbuen Toronto VTR/DMT - @blaw_film Manila Drone Operator - Ray N Toronto Gaffer - @jr.velarde Manila Gaffer - @sefvincent0493 Toronto Lead Set Dresser - @jkallain Toronto MUA / Hair - @sher_beauty PAs - Marshall Smith, Tessa Ruryk, Rayl Reducto Editor - @fialvy @schoolediting Colourist -  @kook.colour Music -  @ta2soundandmusic

“Sneaker Season” Ronin 4D fun w/ Hauke Hilberg for @footlocker @loganstudios @steamfilms Director - @haukehilberg US Producer - @jakeblasco_producer CAN Producer - @dan_montgomery DOP - @lesmillado PM - @petevanstone PC - Christian Opus-Harrison 1st AD - Keith Geisbrecht Ronin 4D Operator - @justin_lovell 2nd Unit DOP - @vanesacmillado A Cam 1st - @tmangin76 B Cam 1st - @ryanmcintyre33 2nd AC - @princesszoes VTR - Scott Wylie DIT - @andrew_salkey Gaffer - @stoffaz Best Electric - Keegan Garland Electric - @thvrdvision Electric - @dretona500 Electric - Donovan Edwards Genny Op - Rich Price Key Grip - @estebanrapid Best Grip - Eric Grauer Grip - Craig MacDonald Grip - @ryan.steamed.grahams Grip - @chrisbjola PD - @noellelleon Buyer - Todd Bolton Assistant Buyer - Deyla Antonin Sound - @audiobyadam Boom - Tom McGowan Wardrobe - Basia Wyszynski HMU - Lisa Kolmakova

Better late than never! With the Season 4 premiere of @abroadcomedy right around the corner, I wanted to share some of my favourite moments from Season 3. Shooting a comedy sketch show in tagalog was such a fulfilling experience on so many levels. The vibes were emaculate with this crew and getting to have adobo and pancit for subs on a weekly basis was one of the best perks ever. Thank you again to all of my collaborators, and for @longhopemedia @kevinwallis @megahood for trusting in me. And of course, thank you to wifey @vanesacmillado for trusting me with her show while we navigated maternity leave and postpartum together. It was a special experience drawing up this season with you in my corner. It was like having a cheat sheet during prep. And prepping as we held Rheyn for the first weeks of his life is a memory I’ll cherish forever. I’m so happy to have been a part of this show’s history with and for you. Season 4 premieres May 18! Production: @longhopemedia EP: @kevinawallis , Lucy Stewart, @isabelkanaan Co-executive Producer: @wwllsstt LP: @megahood Directors: @carly.heffernan  @karaharuncreative Show Runner: @kevinawallis PD: @mcleansmits Editor: @angelicafalco Colourist: @scottnhannigan @rollingpicturesca 1st AC: @tmangin76 2nd AC: @princesszoes DMT: @marcus_armstrongg Gaffer: @stoffaz Best Electric: @junglesafarihouse Key Grip: @dexters_laaaaaaaaaaaaab Best Grip: @ryan.dioso Swings: @thvrdvision @jcizzzle ADs: @chizaminelli @shikherkalyan Continuity: @anie77 Sound: Rob Morrice Language specialist: @justineabigail MUA: @tlr_artistry Hair: @samanthapaigeryanmakeup Wardrobe: @jenandthensome @kelsey.liem @ironside5 Thank you to @krista_dzialoszynski @grande_camera  for supporting our camera package and @wfw_intl  for G&E.

“Mother’s Tongue” is playing at @canfilmfest tomorrow! Come check us out if you’re at the festival 🫶🏽 Thank you to @canada.council for funding our film. Thank you to ARRI Canada (@arri_rental ), Francois Gauthier, and @dina_the_oracle for their generosity in providing our camera package. Starring: @sableena , @jinnylau2000 , @gurvinderjitkaurdhillon , @casie_yuen , @kavita.singh_taluja , gaganbirveer, and @iam_billbassan Executive Producer: Jaskaran Gill @thelastbitefilms Producers: @versatile_pictures and @bndshah Director: @vanesamillado Writer: @duelingidentities DOP: @lesmillado Assistant Director: @shikherkalyan Art Director: @artbyannevo 1st Assistant Camera: @jonjchung 2nd Assistant Camera: @cinemariaa DMT: @introspective.films Gaffer: @satrioprahasto Key Grip: @ryan.dioso 1st Swing: @chrxsyue 2nd Swing: @nawangdatok Location Sound: @allisonsoundspeed HMU : @sangeetabhella.mua Script Supervisor: @ananya_sharma04 Assistant Art Director: karlargzp Assistant Art Director: @alejandra_s.o Production Assistant: @qichris.bbb Editor: @hwindd Composer: @sodhivine Post Sound Mixer/Editor: @berniceechu and @z.macaroon Colourist: @_patricksamaniego at @darling_vfx Poster design by: @misquared

stills from @mrvincecarter15 x @raptors x @bell “Sky Slam” with director Jerome Riel ⛹🏽

To close out 2024, I got to shoot with the guy that made me a Raptor fan for life; the same year I took my son to his first Raptor game where we watched the same guy’s jersey get sent into the rafters. Life’s a trip! Thank you to @angelassu and @jeromeriel for the opportunity. What a dream. And it premiering during the Super Bowl was pretty cool too. @mrvincecarter15 @raptors @bell MLSE Creative Director - Paul Matthews Sr. Producer - Angela Su @angelassu PM – Irina Grozavescu PC – Joanne Sreefa Storyboard Artist - Gabe Kong Director - Jerome Riel @jeromeriel 1st AD - Carri Chen DOP - ⛹🏽 TORONTO Gimbal Op - Rohan Painter @painter_rohan 1st AC - Richard Gonzales @rmlgonzales TOR Zoom - Mike Powell @ ORLANDO Zoom - Tristen Ross Photographer - Anthony Nusca @anthonynusca Social Producer - Tristen Ross BTS Videographer - Kevin Lien TOR Gaffer - Ryan Dioso @ryan.dioso TOR Grip - Dexter Calleja @dexters_laaaaaaaaaaaaab ORLANDO Gaffer - Jay Shropshire @mighty_grip_and_lighting ORLANDO Grip - Joel Wheatley @daddywheats ORLANDO Best Electric - Ed Jensen ORLANDO Best Grip - Greg Chamberlain TORONTO Swing/Package Truck Driver - Nikolai Kaigorodtcev @khvyyz   Sound Operator - Adam White Production Designer - Jacob Barnett HMU Artist - Liv Tsai Trucking Production Assistant - Neil Bartolomeu Production Assistant - Kardeisha Provo Editor - Kevin Lien @kevnlien VFX Supervisor - Will Selviz VFX Cleanup - Miguel Fernandes Post-Producer - Alexander Medeiros Composer - Alexander Medeiros Sound Design + Mix - Alexander Medeiros Colour House - The Vanity @thevanityvfx Colourist - Jordan Benegbi @jordanbenegbi