A playful conversation on tech, animation, photography and weekend farming
An interview by Cheryl Fuerte
Wow, it has been two decades, almost 25 years to date! I first met Leo Santos in the early 2000s when he was Head of the Multimedia and Web Department at Inq7.net, the digital website of the news giant Philippine Daily Inquirer. Back then, Leo was one of the few people who could juggle web publishing deadlines, experimental web design, and engaging multimedia content like it was second nature. Working for a leading newspaper often calls for long hours of work, but Leo would be able to find time to squeeze us into his busy schedule, his friends at Barangay Inday (yes I had a community of friends whom I got to know via my personal website back then, known to the 00’s kids as Indayworks.com / LuvKoSiInday.com), and that’s how I got to know Leo.
Fast forward to today, Leo has worn many hats: Transformation and Business Development Director at the Asian Breast Center, Business Development Consultant for Century Properties Group, Program Director for Synergy88 (a game development and animation studio), Website Administrator at Makati Medical Center, not to mention his roles as a university lecturer and business consultant.
But here’s the twist: while most people in tech unwind by scrolling through their phones, Leo prefers the company of soil, plants, dogs, cats, and a camera in hand. His life outside work is just as layered and creative as his professional track record.
I’ve known you since your Inq7.net days. Back then, the internet in the Philippines was still in its “dial-up-and-wait” stage. Did you ever imagine your career would branch into so many directions—software, animation, health tech, real estate, and now even farming?
Leo: Not at all! Back then, the goal was just to make news pages load faster without readers throwing their computers out the window. (laughs) But one thing led to another—technology is like a river. If you know how to ride the current, it’ll take you to different, unexpected places.
You helped develop not one, but two Philippine Skills Frameworks. Can you tell us more about that?
Leo: Sure! The Philippine Skills Framework (PSF) is basically a guide that maps out the skills needed for industries to better themselves and for the academe to bridge the knowledge gap. I was handpicked to work on the PSF – Animation and Graphic Design, and later was trusted to work on the Software Development and Cybersecurity framework because of how successfully I was able to deliver and launch my project. It was like creating a blueprint for future-proofing the Filipino workforce—making sure we can compete globally, not just regionally.
The PSF is free to download! So if you are a career professional, a techpreneur, working for an academic institution, or even a student who wants to learn about a future career, you can simply download the entire document from the respective government agency or bureau and get to learn more about what it takes to be in that industry.
On animation—you were the Program Director for Synergy88, a major player in the Philippines’ game development and animation scene. What excites you most about this field?
Leo: I love that animation combines art and technology. It’s storytelling powered by code and creativity. At Synergy88, we’ve had projects ranging from AAA game assets to animated content for global studios. It’s proof that Filipino talent can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world. The Philippines has a strong pool of talent, and I’ve seen how far we’ve grown in terms of development from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We just need to have more government support for these industries in order to dominate the world stage. I am particularly excited that growth is no longer centered in NCR. I can’t wait to see more output delivered from the regions, and that academic institutions continue to be dynamic and responsive to industry.
Farming is my escape. When you’re in meetings all day talking about business transformation and KPIs, nothing clears your head like seeing plants grow, harvesting the fruits of your labor, and earning from it.
– Leo Santos
Okay, let’s pivot from pixels to… ploughs. You’re into farming. How did that start?
Leo: Farming is my escape. When you’re in meetings all day talking about business transformation and KPIs, nothing clears your head like seeing plants grow, harvesting the fruits of your labor, and earning from it. Although I consider myself a weekend farmer and use only a portion of the land for farming, inherited from my parents, I intend to take this seriously in the coming years. I am currently learning hydroponics farming from a specialist in Thailand and have invested in several hydroponics towers, which I have imported from China. I can’t wait for the time I can scale this, if I only had more resources available to me (laughs).
Do your tech skills ever sneak into your farming hobby?
Leo: (laughs) Actually, it’s more of my industrial design background that I count on more. But, I guess I want to automate my farm so I can reduce costs. Also, using technology is a smarter way to advance farming. I am currently investing in ways that I can balance labor costs and make the people on the farm more productive. I also enjoy teaching the farm help about learning new and better ways in agritech. Soon, I hope to deploy a smart greenhouse that would be fully autonomous and can be operated using a smartphone.
You’re also into photography, and you take care of multiple dogs and cats. Between coding frameworks, boardrooms, and barns—how do you balance it all?
Leo: Honestly, balance is overrated. I just let all the worlds overlap. Sometimes my cats crash my Zoom meetings, or I end up doing fine art nude photography (I teach this formally, by the way, at a university). Sometimes, I’m experimenting and discovering new things to learn from a new app or software. Doing a lot of things that make you happy is what I think of as having fun; you don’t have to be one-dimensional. There is so much to do with so little time! (laughs) You cannot make your life monotonous. You just have to make life very colorful!
Looking back, from your first job as an industrial designer for furniture and fixtures to your present multi-hyphenate career, what’s the thread that ties it all together?
Leo: That would be Design thinking. Whether I’m sketching a chair, creating 3D models, mapping out a software framework, or planning a business strategy, it’s always about solving problems with creativity. Even farming is a form of design thinking; nature is the ultimate designer. You just need to be observant of the things around you. Also, learn from the best people who solve problems.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Leo’s story is proof that a career on designing and building doesn’t have to follow a straight line. It can zigzag between technology, design, animation, healthcare, property, and—why not?—farming. What stands out most is not just his versatility but his joy in connecting seemingly unrelated worlds.
And while others may see farming, photography, and pet care as hobbies, Leo treats them as essential counterpoints to his tech-heavy professional life. For him, planting seeds in the soil or capturing light through a lens isn’t so different from building software or directing animation; it’s all about creation, growth, and transformation.
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