Uriel Artiaga shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Uriel , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
My recent one-month adventure in the Philippines was more than a trip—it was a deep dive into myself, revealing aspects I never knew existed.
For those just meeting me, my name is Uriel Artiaga, a videographer and cinematographer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Over the years, the lines between my love for filmmaking and my need to travel have completely merged. This fusion has created a part of me that is constantly chasing new places, experiences, and the chance to share them all through the lens.
My videography business and YouTube channel are the means to fund this exciting life. They are my engine for perpetual motion, enabling me to chase the need to travel, to learn about different people’s daily lives, and to continuously seek knowledge—a powerful source of motivation that keeps me moving forward.
Staying in the Philippines this time, six years after my last visit, I saw my people’s hardworking lifestyle and resilience with new eyes. With this deeper interest in travel, I realized that everyone has their own story to tell. Life is not just a simple social media highlight reel; you can never truly judge the lessons a person has learned throughout their own, full journey.
My time in the Philippines is a perfect example of this philosophy. To stop this pursuit would be to halt my ability to learn the true depths of life—and my mission is to share those depths through my lens.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Uriel Artiaga. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, I focus on the intersection of cinematography and experimental filmmaking. What exactly does that mean? It means I create unique visual experiences—films that are rooted in the rawness of my travels, transforming candid journey experiences into powerful, unconventional cinematic narratives.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I strongly believe that surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial to personal growth. The relationships that have most shaped how I view myself are those with my closest friends. They are my anchors: they not only motivate me to pursue my passions but also provide a balance of realistic expectations—a perspective many lose when dealing with insecurities. Most importantly, they give me a deep sense of belonging. They consistently reassure me that life is full of surprises, and even if you find yourself at the bottom, the only way forward is to rise.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve nearly given up more times than I can count. This is the friction of being human—the persistent gap where expectation and reality are never quite aligned. These moments of disappointment are often what push us toward quitting. But remember: It’s never the end. You can always come back later and tackle the goal again. You must move at your own pace. Everyone is on a different journey, so why surrender your current position when you’re still moving forward, even if it is minuscule?
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
When we were younger, we had a tendency to turn the smallest issues into the biggest deal. This mindset is mirrored by platforms like social media, which acts as a facade where only a person’s life highlights are shown, not their truest self. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize the essential truth: there’s no reason to hide or pretend to be someone you’re not, because most people truly do not care. That understanding has allowed me to focus on what’s real. My take: If you want to connect with me, talk to me in person!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when I return to my home country, the Philippines. There, the havoc and daily pressures of work simply disappear, allowing me to enjoy nature’s playground and the slow living found in areas like the mountains. It’s a necessary escape from the constant pressure I feel to just work and work until I can no longer do so.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisurielart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urielartvisuals/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cynonexus
- Other: Cinematic Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cynonexus
