As the hit series Incognito from ABS-CBN Studios, Star Creatives, and Studio 360 wraps up, director Lester Pimentel Ong celebrates another success in his career.

"When we first conceptualized Incognito, it was non-traditional for us to tell a story that's something different. We don't want the scenes to look like a traditional TV series," said Lester during a media conference at Dean &DeLuca in Quezon City recently. "We were given the liberty to tell the story what we want to tell, mount it, shoot it, and present it the way we want to present it."

However, Lester acknowledged that the concept was risky because it was a traditional series people would watch on TV. "But when people saw it, we were pleased that viewers accepted the series."

Lester expressed his desire to present a different type of series, stating that it's time for Philippine entertainment to compete on an international level.

"When it comes to the international level, we're just a thumbnail away. So for us to survive, we need to come up with something different," he said.

Lester also said the shoot in Marawi was memorable, believing that it was the first time a big series like "Incognito" had been shot in the province.

"When we finished with the script of the series, we were thinking of the possible locations. Marawi is at the forefront of my mind. So we asked permission from our bosses to shoot in Marawi. When they agreed, our team reached out to the local government of Marawi for permission to shoot in the location," the director said.

Asked if there were challenges encountered during the location in Marawi, Lester answered: "When the local government found out that we were filming in the area, they gave us all the support needed. They provided everything for us."

However, Lester admitted that some of the stars were apprehensive about shooting in Marawi due to the tension it created in the media.

"Marawi has undergone rehabilitation, and the development in the area has significantly improved. It's beautiful now. We initially wanted to include shots of the ruins, but most of the area has been restored. Only a few blocks remain in their previous state, so we used those for the shoot," he mentioned.

Renowned for his background spanning business, entertainment, and athletics, he is, at his core, someone driven to level up action in the industry and is working tirelessly to bring his vision to life, one realized in Incognito.

Featuring an ensemble cast including Daniel Padilla, Maris Racal, Kaila Estrada, Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Anthony Jennings, Baron Geisler, and many more, Incognito unfolds across various global locales: Baguio, Atok and Itogon Benguet, El Nido in Palawan; Matera, Italy; Yamagata, Japan; Tacloban City, and Marawi in Lanao del Sur.

His love for the action genre runs deep, shaped by his journey as a martial artist and a competitive Wushu Taolu athlete. Tying it all together is his commitment to bringing Philippine creatives, talents, and actors to the global stage.

“I hope the Philippine action drama can break barriers and reach foreign shores. We hope that someday, people from other countries will watch and enjoy our action dramas the way they enjoy Korean and Thai dramas. Yun ‘yung pangarap natin,” Direk Lester shared.

He also added that he wanted this dream to come true, with him playing a part in it: “I wanted to be part of the whole journey na sana isa ako sa mga taong makapagdala sa Filipino series or films sa screens ng mga ibang bansa.”

Before Incognito, he had already helmed prominent productions, such as ABS-CBN shows La Luna Sangre, Bagani, and The Iron Heart. His entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision merged when he produced the Amazon Prime Video original series One Good Day and the Netflix romantic film Love You Long Time under his own company.

Reflecting on his journey, Direk Lester shared his experience working with Star Creatives: “Over the past 15 years, my collaboration with ABS-CBN, especially Star Creatives on action projects, has been about continuously improving the content we offer to the viewers. The creative team, headed by Henry Quitain and Jay Fernando, really helped ensure that our vision and ideas are transformed into compelling stories.”

He added, “Ms. Des de Guzman, the head of Star Creatives, is also a master showrunner. The team, from production assistants to producers, truly makes filming more efficient. The success we've achieved would not be possible without all of them.”

Beyond his passion for elevating the action genre in television and film, he also has business ventures: from founding the Binondo Food Group with Rice in a Box in 2000, Kyukyu Ramen, and Wangfu to introducing internationally acclaimed brands like Udders Ice Cream and Dean & DeLuca to the Philippine market, Direk Lester’s business skills have made a significant mark on the local food scene.

Lester Pimentel Ong’s career showcases creativity, business success, and athletic skill, making him a trailblazer in multiple fields. With his vision and determination, the Philippines can be on par with the world’s best in action entertainment.