He was born in Tacna in 1949. He began his career as an editor on the first feature films of Francisco Lombardi, a childhood friend who convinced him to abandon his engineering studies and pursue a career in film. After his experience as a director and cinematographer on "Immoral Tales," he decided to continue as a cinematographer. Pili went on to work with Lombardi on five more projects, as well as with Felipe Degregori, Luis Llosa ("Fire in the Amazon"), and others. He is currently the president of the Peruvian Association of Cinematographers and Directors of Photography.