Photo from David Casuco's article titled Filipino Animator Wins First Emmy Award and published by the PinoyWired.com

Filipino Jess Espanola has led a very colorful life.

Espanola has been working as assistant director for the popular American animated sitcom “The Simpsons” for seven years now. The job earned him an Emmy award last year.

However, Espanola had to go through hardships in life before realizing his American dream. Espanola said he led an impoverished life in Pampanga province.

He said that since he was five years old, he knew that he already loved sketching. 

“Five years old pa lang ako, nag-drawing na ako. Hindi ko pa nasusulatan ng pangalan ko… ang notebook ko puro drawing ng Batman at Robin," he said.

Espanola’s talent in drawing landed him a scholarship at the University of the Philippines, one of the premier schools in the Philippines.

He was also able to work for Fil-Cartoon, Inc. as an animator before he moved to Los Angeles in 1994.

His first job was to work on an American television animated series, King of the Hill. From there, his ascend to the animated world in the US began.

In the 90s, he was named the assistant director for Futurama, an animated American sitcom. In 2002, he was appointed as the assistant director of “The Simpsons.” 

“This is the happiest moment in my life. Talagang tuwang-tuwa ako noong lumalakad ako paakyat sa stage. Parang hindi ako nakatapak sa floor,” he said.

Espanola attributed his success to his trainings when he was still in the Philippines. -- Ging Reyes, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau