June Daguiso is a Filipino filmmaker, writer, producer, actor, and former legal professional based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He is the founder and chief executive officer of MJD Productions and the founder of the World Music & Independent Film Festival (WMIFF). In addition, he has been associated with Hollywood in Washington, DC, an entertainment-focused talk show.
Daguiso entered the film industry after a long career in the legal profession. Since founding MJD Productions in 2006, he has worked in directing, screenwriting, producing, editing, and acting. Consequently, his credited projects include Saving Ana, Romeo Must Die Again, To Live and Die in Washington D.C., Full Circle, and Collide.
Early life and legal career of June Daguiso
Publicly available biographical material provides limited information about Daguiso’s date and place of birth, childhood, family background, and formal education. However, his professional history includes several decades of work outside entertainment.
Before establishing himself as a filmmaker, Daguiso spent 38 years in the legal profession. Eventually, he retired from that career in 2017 after decades of professional experience.
The move from law into filmmaking marked a significant change in direction. Moreover, his legal career directly preceded the establishment of MJD Productions and his subsequent work in independent film and entertainment.
Martial arts background and career
Daguiso also maintains a notable background in martial arts. Specifically, he competed on the national circuit under the North American Karate Association, participating in fighting and forms competitions.
Later on, he became a Tae Kwon Do instructor in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. According to published biographical information, he continued teaching until retiring from martial arts instruction in 2000.
As a result, his experience in competitive martial arts formed an integral part of his professional life before his transition into film production.
June Daguiso and MJD Productions
Daguiso founded MJD Productions in 2006 as a production company for his film and entertainment activities. Consequently, the company became closely associated with independent productions in which he worked in several creative and production roles.
For example, one of the early projects associated with Daguiso was Full Circle. Additionally, his published biographical material identifies Frank Cisco Anderson as a collaborator and connects the project with Grammy-related recognition in television and visual media.
Collide premiered in 2009 and was likewise associated with Grammy-related recognition. Nevertheless, the precise status of those claims should be distinguished from an official Grammy nomination unless confirmed through official Grammy records.
Furthermore, Daguiso’s author biography states that he has produced more than 50 films. However, the exact number of productions and individual credits would require confirmation through independent film-industry sources.
Film career overview
June Daguiso has worked across several areas of film production, including directing, writing, producing, editing, and acting. As such, his credits reflect a diverse career that combines creative work behind the camera with direct appearances in film projects.
Additionally, the productions associated with Daguiso include independent films involving themes such as family, identity, migration, and Filipino experiences in the United States.
June Daguiso directing credits
For instance, Daguiso’s listed directing credits include Saving Ana, Romeo Must Die Again, and To Live and Die in Washington D.C..
He also directed and edited Lion of Judah Legacy. Published material about the project states that the film reached the first-round consideration stage for the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. However, preliminary consideration differs from an official Golden Globe nomination, so the distinction should be retained when documenting the project’s awards history.
June Daguiso writing credits
Similarly, Daguiso has received writing credits on several film projects. Specifically, his listed screenwriting credits include Romeo Must Die Again, To Live and Die in Washington D.C., and Diana.
Moreover, screenwriting forms part of a broader creative career that also encompasses directing, producing, editing, acting, and publishing.
June Daguiso producing credits
Daguiso’s producing credits include Full Circle and Collide. In addition, his production work has extended to film and television projects developed through his professional network in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Through MJD Productions, he has therefore collaborated with filmmakers, actors, musicians, and other entertainment professionals on independent productions.
June Daguiso acting credits
Daguiso has also appeared on screen in several film projects. For example, his listed acting credits include Deadlands: The Rising (2006), Signals (2008), Saving Ana, and Your Last Six Inches.
As a result, these appearances complement his primary work as a filmmaker and producer, giving him hands-on experience both in front of and behind the camera.
Production of Saving Ana
Saving Ana remains among Daguiso’s most notable film projects. He is credited with directing and acting in the production, which has been associated with themes involving Filipino families, overseas Filipino workers, migration, and life outside the Philippines.
Furthermore, the film inspired a related literary project titled Saving Ana: The Road to Absolution. Daguiso has developed this story in both cinematic and literary forms.
Biographical material associated with the production has stated that Saving Ana received consideration in several Academy Awards categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Original Song. Nevertheless, these statements should not be presented as official Academy Award nominations unless confirmed through official records of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Production of Lion of Judah Legacy
Lion of Judah Legacy is another major film associated with Daguiso’s work as a filmmaker. Specifically, the supplied biographical material credits him with shooting, directing, and editing the project.
The project was described as reaching the first round of consideration for the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. However, that stage represents preliminary consideration rather than an official nomination.
World Music & Independent Film Festival by June Daguiso
In 2010, Daguiso founded the World Music & Independent Film Festival (WMIFF) in Washington, D.C. Consequently, the festival was established as an international platform for independent filmmakers and musicians.
Moreover, WMIFF has presented diverse films, music performances, awards, special programs, and industry events. Specifically, its programming has included opening and closing celebrations, screenings, special presentations, international music videos, and an awards program overseen by an international jury.
For instance, the inaugural edition in 2010 attracted actors, musicians, filmmakers, and other entertainment figures. Contemporary coverage identified participants and guests including Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., actress and martial artist Cynthia Rothrock, actor Tray Chaney, filmmaker Al Sutton, actor Warrington Gillette, and actor Robert Z’Dar.
Later editions similarly included international filmmakers, musicians, performers, and other members of the independent film community. In addition, reported participants included Grammy-nominated musicians, award-winning actors, and accomplished filmmakers.
Furthermore, WMIFF has also featured Filipino and Southeast Asian films and artists as part of its global programming. The festival has therefore provided a platform for filmmakers and performers from outside the United States as well as local artists based in the Washington, D.C., region.
More information about the festival is available directly through the World Music & Independent Film Festival website.
June Daguiso and Hollywood in Washington, DC
Daguiso has been closely associated with Hollywood in Washington, DC, a talk show covering entertainment, film, and personalities working in the industry.
The program forms a key part of his broader involvement in media and entertainment within the Washington, D.C., region. As such, his work in film production, festival organization, and television has brought him into contact with artists and entertainment professionals from different countries.
Filipino and overseas Filipino narratives
In particular, Filipino experiences and the lives of overseas Filipino workers have featured prominently in projects associated with Daguiso. His film and literary work has explored themes involving migration, family, identity, sacrifice, and life away from the Philippines.
For example, Saving Ana is particularly associated with Filipino family experiences and the everyday challenges faced by people living abroad. Moreover, related themes also appear in Daguiso’s literary work, including OFWs Living in the United States.
Therefore, these subjects connect his creative work directly with the experiences of Filipino communities in the United States and other countries.
Recent and upcoming projects by June Daguiso
Currently, Daguiso continues to develop new film and television projects alongside his ongoing work as a producer and filmmaker. Published biographical material identifies several feature films and a television series among his projects currently in development.
In addition, he has been involved as a co-producer of Filipina Housewives of DMV, working alongside Imelda Antoc Bosley and Maribeth Murray Nicholas. Consequently, the project is closely associated with Filipino communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia area.
However, production schedules and project statuses can change frequently, so information concerning forthcoming films, television programs, and other productions should always be updated using current industry or production sources.
Publishing career
In addition to filmmaking, Daguiso has built a substantial career as an author. Specifically, his listed books include Saving Ana: The Road to Absolution, Trinity, Collide, Diary of a Serial Killer, Embrace of Mateo’s Blood, Split Personality, Forever Young, Dream Chaser: The Story of the Martinez Family, The Colorful Life of Savonna Champ, and OFWs Living in the United States.
Moreover, his author profile also identifies additional forthcoming publications. However, publication dates, publishers, ISBN information, and release status should be confirmed through official publisher records, library catalogs, or other reliable bibliographic sources.
Consequently, Daguiso maintains an active author profile through Amazon Author Central, where information about his books and professional background is presented to readers globally.
Author profile:
June Daguiso on Amazon Author Central
Awards and industry recognition
Overall, Daguiso’s projects have been associated with festival selections, award consideration, and other forms of industry recognition. The projects most frequently identified in available biographical material include Full Circle, Collide, Saving Ana, and Lion of Judah Legacy.
For instance, Full Circle and Collide have been associated with Grammy-related recognition. Promotional and biographical material has also described Saving Ana as receiving consideration in several Academy Awards categories, while Lion of Judah Legacy has been described as reaching the first round of consideration for the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.
Nevertheless, these descriptions are not presented here as confirmed award nominations or wins. Official records from the respective awarding organizations should be used to establish formal nominations and awards.
Additionally, WMIFF, which Daguiso founded in 2010, has presented awards to filmmakers, musicians, actors, and other artists through its annual festival program.
Personal life
Publicly available biographical information about Daguiso’s personal life remains limited. Consequently, details concerning his exact date of birth, birthplace, family, spouse, and children have not been included because the supplied sources do not establish those details with sufficient clarity.
Author profile of June Daguiso
Daguiso maintains an Amazon Author Central profile under the name Master June Daguiso. Moreover, the page provides useful information about his books and professional activities spanning filmmaking, writing, and entertainment.
Amazon Author Central:
amazon.com/author/masterjunedaguiso
See also
References
- World Music & Independent Film Festival. Festival history and organizational information.
- Pandita Njoh Etta. “Big win for Nollywood with Actress Bessey Ikem at World Music and Independent Film Festival.” Pan African Visions, September 3, 2013.
- “Film on Naga music selected for 5 international fests.” ITV, April 26, 2014.
- Boy Villasanta. “Pinay singer nominated at 2010 WMIFF.” ABS-CBN News, June 2, 2010.
- Abid. “7 Nominations for Life! Camera Action… at WMIFF.” Glamsham, April 25, 2011.
- Ernie Chandler. “Local Artists Win Big at DC Film Festival.” WSLS10, September 7, 2010.
- “First Annual WMIFF Award 2010 at the Capital Hilton Hotel.” Forever DC, August 20, 2010.
- “The Arts and Entertainment Magazine attends: World Music and Independent Film Festival!” The Arts and Entertainment Magazine, August 20, 2011.
- “I’m delighted to be a member of WMIFF: Rohit Gupta.” The Times of India, December 14, 2011.
- “Dipti Mehta to perform at Independent Film Festival.” The Times of India, August 18, 2011.
- June Daguiso. Author profile and biographical information, Amazon Author Central.
