Jessamae Samson on the gift of perspective, integrity and gratitude

Over three decades producing shows, events and concerts for the biggest artists has taught Jessamae Samson many lessons about leadership and service. “There’s magic in taking an idea from nowhere, collaboration and watching it come to life through the talents and passion of an amazing team.”

Her journey came with many ups and downs, moments where she had to pick herself up and start again, and she has learned to take it all in with gratitude. “Over the years, I’ve grown wiser by learning that the best decisions aren’t only the fastest but also grounded in experience, guided by integrity, and made with people in mind.” She Talks Asia chats with the esteemed producer as she shares the best pieces of life advice she’s received and learned the hard way.

What do you do for a living, and what are the things that make you feel more alive?

I am a Creative Director and Executive Producer for various special events, concerts and branded content production. I feel most alive when I’m creating. When I do concerts, when I produce content. There’s magic in taking an idea from nowhere, collaboration and watching it come to life through the talents and passion of an amazing team. Beyond work, I feel most alive in moments with the people I love: my family, my friends and most of all my daily quiet time with God.

How old are you? 

56 years old

I am most known for…

leading complex and highly creative productions with creativity and passion.

I am most proud of… 

the people I’ve had the privilege to lead, mentor and create with. While the concerts, events, and campaigns are the visible achievements, the trust we’ve built, the challenges we have overcome, and the impact we’ve made together are what matter most to me.

What do you think is the biggest challenge, and the best thing, about being your age?

The biggest challenge about being 56 is realizing that I’m human after all. I still have the same passion and drive, but I’ve learned to respect my limits. My mind still thinks I’m 30, but my body occasionally sends a strongly worded memo reminding me otherwise.

The best part though is that I wouldn’t trade 56 for 26. The years have given me something far more valuable than endless energy. They’ve given me perspective, wisdom, and confidence that only experience can bring. Decades of setbacks, lessons and successes have shaped my instincts, strengthened my resilience and given me the confidence to make better decisions. At this stage in my life, I don’t just rely on talent or hard work. I rely on perspective, and that’s something that can only be earned.

How have you grown wiser in the past few years?

Production is not for the faint of heart. It demands resilience, quick thinking and sound decision-making, often in high-pressure situations where every choice can shape the outcome. Production has taught me that every challenge is a lesson in leadership. Over the years, I’ve grown wiser by learning that the best decisions aren’t only the fastest but also grounded in experience, guided by integrity, and made with people in mind.

What has been the most defining decade of your life, and what are you looking forward to in the decades to come?

The most defining decade of my life was in my 30s, when I worked as an Executive Producer at ABS-CBN Mindanao. Being part of what often felt like a one-person production team gave me the opportunity to learn every aspect of the craft- from inception to production to problem-solving and execution. Everything about it shaped the creative leader I am today.

As for the decades ahead, I look forward to a semi-retirement in my 60s–though knowing myself, I don’t think my mind will ever stop being creative. Creativity isn’t just my profession I guess it’s part of who I am. As long as this industry believes I still have something meaningful to contribute, I’ll continue doing what I love. At the same time, I hope to slow down enough to enjoy life’s simple pleasures like traveling more, spending quality time with family and friends and yes, playing a lot more mahjong!

What are the best pieces of life advice you have ever received?

The best piece of life advice I have ever received came from my father. He would often remind me, “A SIMPLE LIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE,” and to live with ‘EVERYTHING IN MODERATION.” Those words stayed with me, even during the busiest and most ambitious seasons of my career. Driven by the desire to achieve more, create more and constantly chase the next opportunity, time has taught me the wisdom behind my father’s advice. Today, I appreciate that a meaningful life isn’t necessarily the busiest or the grandest. Sometimes, it’s the simplest life – lived with gratitude, purpose, and moderation that brings the best joy.

Who are the women you admire most and how have they helped shape your life?

I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by remarkable women throughout my life, each of whom has shaped me in different ways. 

Professionally, one of the women I admire most is my former boss, Cookie Bartolome. She is an exceptional leader whose calmness, grace and quiet confidence have always inspired me. She never led with panic or ego. Instead, she created an environment that naturally brought out the best in everyone. She taught me that true leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room. It’s about earning respect through composure, integrity, and trust.

I’m also grateful for my circle of aspirational women friends. Accomplished, driven, and

constantly striving to become better versions of themselves. Being around women who celebrate one another’s successes in every season of my life.

But above all, the woman who has shaped me the most is my mother. She is the quiet strength behind everything I am today. She has shown me that true character isn’t measured by titles or achievements, but by how you treat people. My mother has an extraordinary ability to make people feel welcome, valued and loved. If there’s one thing I inherited from her, it’s most probably my charm. Mom has always been incredibly sociable, effortlessly warm, and can strike up a conversation with anyone. She has an extraordinary gift for making people feel at ease. More than anything, I admire her remarkable capacity to love. She gives without expecting anything in return, forgives with grace and always chooses compassion. From her, I learned that strength can be gentle, kindness is never weakness, and the greatest legacy we can leave isn’t what we’ve accomplished, but by how deeply we’ve loved.

#STAGenerations