Leading Falcon’s Creative Philippines: A Conversation with Design Director Chito Ignacio
How do two creative studios work together efficiently, even with a 12-hour time difference? We had a chance to sit down with Chito Ignacio, the Design Director of our satellite office, Falcon’s Creative Philippines, Inc. to learn more about his background and how he leads our talented team in Manila.
Chito’s work spans a wide range of projects, but his first major theme park venture holds a special place in his heart. “One of my favorite projects was working on the Universal Theme Park because that was my first venture into the theme park industry,” he says. Beyond the projects themselves, Chito thrives on the process of master planning. “It gives you a clear picture of your entire project. You can start planning where everything should go and how they will work together,” he explains. “The engagement with the team is also something that I love, how everyone comes together to make it happen.”
Collaboration is central to Chito’s philosophy. Large-scale projects often mean working with clients and designers across the globe in different time zones. “The time difference is challenging, but we’re lucky to have very open and collaborative peers in Orlando,” Chito notes. He credits the professionalism and team spirit of the industry, which allows creativity to flourish.
Within his own team, Chito emphasizes autonomy and learning through experience. “You really have to let your team express themselves. You can’t micromanage people in the creative industry. That’s counterproductive,” he says. Mistakes, he explains, are part of growth. “I think mistakes can be a good thing, because that’s how you learn. The most rewarding part is letting your team go and let them find their way back.”
Staying inspired and current is also key. Chito reflects on how the industry has evolved. “Twenty years ago, we didn’t have LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, or Pinterest. Back then, we relied on books. Someone would come from the bookstore with the latest titles, and that’s how we got ideas and inspiration.
Now, it’s across platforms. Social media provides knowledge and inspiration from different sectors. If you’re not on social media, I think it’s a quick way to be obsolete. You have to be there.”
For those aspiring to work in themed entertainment, Chito emphasizes a combination of talent and perseverance. “If you have talent but you’re not hardworking, that’s not enough. You have to have the grit because it’s a lot of problem-solving and creative thinking. To me personally, I find that being interested in movies has helped me in this industry to spark creativity.”
He also highlights the culture at Falcon’s as a key differentiator. “The talent found at Falcon’s from the HQ office in Orlando to our office in Manila is truly spectacular. I think the level of collaboration and openness between our offices really shows the culture. We truly work as one team.”
Leading a creative team comes with its challenges. “The very qualities that make people great, their passion, constant drive to create, and eagerness to share ideas, can also make things more complex. With so much creativity flowing, the real challenge is filtering through the abundance of ideas to find the right path forward.” For Chito, the real skill lies in balancing all of those ideas and guiding them toward a cohesive, impactful result.
Through Chito’s guidance and the team’s dedication, Falcon’s Creative Philippines, Inc. has become an essential part of Falcon’s success. We’re so thankful for every member of the team for their hard work, as Falcon’s Creative Philippines Inc. reaches its three-year anniversary in November!
