Where the Story Began

Dela Cruz’s passion for storytelling didn’t appear overnight. It is rooted in experiences that shaped his childhood and guided major choices, including attending UOG, which was an easy decision for Dela Cruz to make.

“I know there are other schools out there, but I felt that UOG was the right fit for me,” he shares.

Staying on island allows Dela Cruz to remain close to his family while taking advantage of opportunities such as the Merit Scholarship. With both his parents being UOG alumni, the campus already felt promising. As a driven student, Dela Cruz aspires to finish with honors.

“By the time I graduate, I hope to be summa cum laude. That is a big thing for my family,” he says.

Family is also major force behind Dela Cruz’s love for film. Growing up with relatives that love documenting celebrations and gatherings, Dela Cruz was always surrounded by cameras and recording devices. His sister, in particular, sparked his interest in capturing everyday moments. By high school, he was creating documentaries for class projects, shooting vlogs with friends, experimenting with short films, and taking on videography assignments that helped him grow in both skill and confidence.

“Basically, I am always finding a way to put myself out there,” he explains.

 

Capturing the Voices of Others

What makes Dela Cruz’s storytelling unique is his purpose.

“Telling someone else’s story is allowing other people to be heard,” he says.

His films often explore the sides of people that are not visible on the surface. “Everyone has their own impression of themselves that they want to portray, but my short films are meant to show that there is more meaning to a person and their story.” 

Behind each project is a thoughtful, organized, and oftentimes time-intensive, process. Dela Cruz creates story boards, drafts shot lists, and mentally prepares scenes so he can direct confidently. He also edits all of his own videos using programs such as Adobe Premier Pro and DaVinci Resolve, both of which he taught himself.

 

Stepping Outside His Comfort Zone

Although he is a self-proclaimed introvert, Dela Cruz has opened up socially as he makes connections with people through his filmmaking. From the actors that are featured in his projects to the crew members behind the scenes of every production, the relationships and collaborations that Dela Cruz has formed as a result of his work have the added benefit of making him a better storyteller. 

“Becoming more outgoing has helped me talk about the stories of other people and recognize them,” he adds.

Along the way, Dela Cruz has also developed more empathy and confidence, which he is using to give back and help others. As he works on launching a videography startup, he mentors high school students through Junior Achievement, sharing his experiences and providing them with guidance and advice to develop their own business ideas.

Dela Cruz is excited for his personal growth to continue during his time in college. “I want to make those same connections I’ve made through my projects here at UOG and become someone who shows out more” he reflects.

 

 

Future Projects

Currently, Dela Cruz is developing a new film that blends songs with storytelling. He hopes to use the film to explore how music can place people in different emotional worlds and highlight the beauty in everyday life. He also dreams of participating in the UOG Film Festival in the future to share his work more widely.

While he plans to pursue a career in the tech industry after earning his degree, Dela Cruz knows that filmmaking will always remain a part of his life. He sees it as a lifelong practice of capturing stories, emotions, and humanity and reminds himself that storytelling is not just about the camera, but the connection it creates.

For fellow students, Dela Cruz offers a simple piece of advice: “Do not be afraid to put yourself out there. There are so many ways to show people who you are.”