ILOILO City — Twenty years ago, three Ilonggo creatives set out with a simple vision: tell stories that matter.
What began in July 2006 as a small wedding production company in Iloilo has since grown into one of the country’s most respected creative production houses, bringing Ilonggo talent to destinations across Asia, the United States, and beyond.
Today, as Mayad marks its 20th anniversary, the company is celebrating not only two decades of visual storytelling but also the launch of its newest chapter — MProd, a unified production house that brings together its specialized creative services under one name.
Leading the company into this new era is Managing Director Mitzel Araña, who oversees Mayad’s continuing expansion while remaining committed to its llonggo roots and creative vision.
Together with its founders and creative team, Araña is steering the company as it builds on two decades of storytelling and strengthens its presence in the local and international production industry.
For Mayad co-founder Alvin Paver, the company’s longevity can be traced to one defining principle.
“One thing that really contributed to our growth throughout the years was the way we embraced change. As they say, the only constant thing is change, and I believe that our journey has really been all about change.”
Built in Iloilo City, created for the world
Founded by Ilonggos Alvin Paver, Raphael “Fiel” Pranga, and Jose Alberto Esquera, Mayad began by producing cinematic wedding films at a time when the industry was still finding its creative voice.
From those early wedding stories, the company steadily expanded into events, commercial campaigns, branded content, and large-scale productions while remaining firmly rooted in Iloilo City.
Today, Mayad may shoot around the world — from Boracay to destinations across Asia, and the United States — but its creative heartbeat remains in Western Visayas. Its production team continues to be largely composed of Ilonggo professionals whose work has earned recognition on both local and international stages.
The company has likewise established trusted business-to-business partnerships with clients and collaborators in the Philippines and overseas, proving that world-class production can come from the regions.
Growing beyond weddings
As demand grew, so did Mayad’s creative ecosystem.
The company launched MPost on Oct. 27, 2014, specializing in post-production services. Five years later, Humán was introduced on Aug. 27, 2019, expanding the company’s creative direction and storytelling capabilities. Within the last few years, Mayad also introduced M-Com, strengthening its commercial production portfolio.
Beyond Iloilo City, the company has also expanded its presence with branches in Manila and the United States, allowing it to serve a broader network of clients while keeping its operations anchored in its hometown.
One stronger identity
As Mayad celebrates two decades, it is consolidating the specialized creative units under its Iloilo City branch into a single production banner: MProd — A Mayad Production House.
The move unifies MPost, Humán, and M-Com, which previously operated as separate units under Mayad Iloilo, into one stronger and more recognizable production identity.
The move reflects how the company now serves freelancers, agencies, brands, small and medium enterprises, and corporate clients through a modular production model, whether for a single edit, a full-scale production, or long-term creative partnerships.
Based in Iloilo City, MProd continues the philosophy that has defined Mayad since 2006: great productions are built on respect — for the people behind the work, for the creative process, and for every client’s vision.
Celebrating Ilonggo talent
The 20-year milestone is also a celebration of the people who have helped shape Mayad’s journey.
Composed of a diverse team of creatives across different generations, the company has become a platform for nurturing Ilonggo talent, giving local artists, filmmakers, editors, photographers, and storytellers opportunities to work on projects seen around the world without losing sight of where they came from.
From filming intimate weddings in its early years to producing campaigns and stories across continents, the company has demonstrated that creative excellence need not be confined to major metropolitan centers. Instead, it has shown that talent nurtured in Iloilo can compete — and thrive — on the global stage.
As Mayad enters its third decade with MProd, the company continues to invest in the next generation of storytellers, carrying forward the same belief that has guided it since 2006: that meaningful stories, crafted with purpose and passion, can begin anywhere including Iloilo City./PN
