Nuby's path has been shaped by a deep foundation in both visual art and music. His talent was nurtured through years of training in art schools, where he learned color theory, drawing, painting, and sculpting. His family shaped the rest. He comes from a rich musical tradition started by his grandfather, Felipe Padilla de Leon, a celebrated National Artist of the Philippines. In their family, every child had to become proficient in at least one instrument, so Nuby plays violin, piano, guitar, bass, and the bandurria, the Philippine cousin of the mandolin.
With both a grandfather and a father who became famous composers, Nuby followed suit. A few of his original compositions are featured on a series of meditation CDs that have been translated into over 20 languages and are still heard around the world decades later.
He picked up photography in high school, which laid the groundwork for his career behind the camera. He became a master of light through direct mentorship from some of the leading fashion photographers in New York City, and went on to win numerous photography awards in regional and international print competitions. In 2010 he founded Hudson Valley Click, an on-location fashion portfolio group through which he mentored hundreds of photographers.
Fresh out of architecture school, Nuby took an unconventional turn and opened a recording studio in Paramus, New Jersey. Over ten years he sharpened his skills as a sound engineer while designing cd packaging, posters, and websites for his music clients. Today, with over 25 years of experience, he's an accomplished sound engineer, graphic designer, and art director.
After closing the studio, he put his architecture training to work running the art and production department of a prominent New York City sign manufacturer, where he learned every corner of the sign industry, from designing signage for large buildings to drafting the blueprints and templates needed to build it.
The biggest lesson from architecture school wasn't about aesthetics. It was about designing with a purpose. That idea of intentional design became the guiding principle behind everything he creates, whether it's graphic design, photography, or filmmaking. It's never just about looking good. It's about meaning.
Every skill Nuby has mastered since setting up his first studio in the mid-90s has been a stepping stone, and his determination to understand every aspect of filmmaking has earned him numerous industry awards, including several Telly Awards. All of it has shaped him into a genuinely well-rounded filmmaker.
He draws a line between loving something and being passionate about it. You might enjoy doing something you love, but passion is different. It works its way into your very essence, the way oxygen is part of breathing. That's the kind of dedication he looks for in the people he brings onto the team.
Despite a busy career, Nuby still makes time to volunteer and help local organizations. He believes the only way to create change in a community is to be the change it needs, and he's a graduate of Leadership Sullivan, Class of 2010. Outside of work, he spends his weekends with his wife, teenage son, and his dog, Max, because keeping life balanced matters just as much as the work.
