Rey Anthony Villaverde

Birthplace

Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines

Biography

Rey Anthony Villaverde is a visual artist, writer, and filmmaker from Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. He began making films at the age of twelve through school projects, eventually developing a body of work rooted in regional storytelling and independent cinema. His films frequently examine questions of identity, coming-of-age, and the tension between the beauty and struggle of creating art. His debut short, Tingog (2022), was selected for Cinema Rehiyon 15, followed by the metacinema comedy short film Ambot Wa Ko Kabalo Unsay I-Title Ani (2024), which became a finalist in the 20th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. In 2026, his short film Silkscreen received a production grant from 6th Montañosa Film Festival held at Baguio City and won Silver Award in the Narrative Category and a Special Jury Award from the said festival.