Emmy-Winning Producer Michael Carandang Launches Goat Creative Studios to Elevate Filipino Storytelling

Michael Carandang, a Daytime Emmy-winning producer with two decades of experience in American television, has returned to the Philippines to co-found Goat Creative Studios, a Manila-based production company aimed at empowering Filipino creators to produce world-class content without leaving the country. The studio officially launched on August 3 at a media event held at Greenbelt Cinema 4 in Makati, featuring an advance screening of its first reality docuseries "Celeste Unscripted" and the premiere of its first documentary film, "Songbird," chronicling the life and career of singer Regine Velasquez.

Carandang’s career includes work on prominent American shows such as "The Jerry Springer Show," "The Tyra Banks Show," for which he won a Daytime Emmy, and "America’s Next Top Model." After moving back to the Philippines in 2012, he directed approximately 17 installments of "Making MEGA," the country’s pioneering fashion documentary series. His extensive background in both American and Philippine television forms the creative foundation of Goat Creative Studios.

The studio was co-founded with entrepreneur and investor Jonathan M. Sterling, who has lived in the Philippines for about five years. Sterling emphasized his role in supporting Carandang’s vision and acknowledged Carandang’s significant accomplishments, including his Emmy award. Sterling views the studio as an investment not only in a company but also in the Philippine economy, aiming to provide local talent with opportunities to work on high-quality productions while remaining connected to their culture and communities.

Carandang highlighted a major challenge Filipino creators face: securing funding to bring their ideas to fruition. He noted that despite the abundance of talented producers and creators in the Philippines, a lack of financial backing often hinders project development. Goat Creative Studios was established to address this gap by providing the necessary resources to support innovative and original content.

Sterling acknowledged the risks involved in the studio’s approach, which focuses on new and creative concepts rather than relying on proven formats that dominate the local market. He expressed nervousness about this strategy but also optimism that it represents a pioneering effort in the Philippine entertainment industry.

The studio’s initial slate includes "Celeste Unscripted," an eight-episode docuseries following former Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi through a transformative year marked by entrepreneurship, romance, and family life. Carandang, who created the series and previously worked with Cortesi during her Miss Universe Philippines campaign, described her story as compelling and unique among the many pageant queens in the country.

Another major project unveiled at the launch was "Songbird," a documentary film celebrating Regine Velasquez’s 40-year career. The film, directed by Carandang and conceived by Velasquez’s sister and manager Cacai Mitra, offers an intimate look at the singer’s life, including personal struggles and milestones. Velasquez emphasized that the documentary reveals aspects of her journey that have never been shared before, making it a comprehensive and unprecedented portrayal of her legacy.

Looking ahead, Carandang indicated that Goat Creative Studios will continue to focus on unscripted content such as reality series and documentaries, areas where he has the most expertise. However, the studio remains open to exploring scripted projects in the future as it grows.

Goat Creative Studios aims to develop and own premium unscripted entertainment rooted in authentic, character-driven Filipino storytelling, with formats designed to resonate both locally and internationally. With Carandang leading the creative direction and Sterling providing strategic investment, the studio represents a significant step toward elevating Filipino narratives on the global stage.