He has worked on conflict transformation projects in Mindanao with different international organizations since 2009. In early 2015, Manuel moved to Manila as networking manager for the German NGO forumZFD-Civil Peace Service, focusing on projects that sparked dialogue between Mindanao and the National Capital Region through films. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Media Studies (Film) at the University of the Philippines. Born and raised in Kassel, Germany, Manuel holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Bremen and a MA inInternational Relations from the Free University of Berlin.