Philip Salem is a visual artist hailing from Tacloban City, Leyte. His artwork primarily focuses on Contemporary Figurative styles, which he later fused with elements of Surrealism. His parents first noticed his early sketches when he was a preschooler in Zambales, his father's hometown and a place rich with childhood memories. During this period, he was inspired by Kalesa, fireflies, seahorses, and a variety of fish at the market, as well as DC comic characters like Superman and He-Man. All his creations during this time centered around these themes. In kindergarten, his grandfather showed him how to properly hold a pencil while drawing, an important lesson he cherished ever since. 

After moving back to Tacloban City, Philip was introduced to a different culture and environment. He subsequently delved into music and photography, both of which played a significant part in his artistic development.