Fish Vendor Turned Filmmaker
VINCENT ESCOBIDO – A former fish vendor in Quiapo is now a successful 22-year-old indie filmmaker in Dubai with over 300 stories and millions of views. He is now setting his sights on Hollywood.
Vincent’s love for storytelling began when he was young. He initially dreamed of becoming an actor. He auditioned for TV roles in the Philippines but was unsuccessful, landing only minor, unnoticed appearances. Despite these setbacks, he found inspiration in his childhood experiences.
Every weekend, Vincent would help his grandmother, Adelaida “Lola Deling” Escobido, sell fish. They traveled from Navotas Fish Port to Quiapo, leaving home before dawn with six buckets of fish. Their journey involved multiple jeepney rides, often facing rejections from drivers reluctant to carry their smelly goods. These struggles taught Vincent resilience and filled him with ideas for his future stories.
In 2019, Vincent moved to Dubai with his parents and sibling for what was supposed to be a short vacation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic extended their stay. He worked as a kitchen assistant and later in sales before finding his chance in filmmaking when Elvin Mark Santos, head of the indie film company TBON Dubai, took him under his wing.
Since then, Vincent has worked on several film projects that have gained him a strong following in the Filipino community in Dubai. Despite his achievements, he remains humble and focused on improving. He is currently studying IT programming at Dubai British School to further his skills.
According to GMA News, Vincent hopes to direct and write his first full-length movie and dreams of joining Hollywood someday. He credits his grandmother, family, and supporters from Project Manok and TBON Dubai for helping him along the way. From his modest beginnings as a fish vendor to becoming a rising filmmaker, Vincent’s journey proves that perseverance and big dreams can lead to incredible success.
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