It’s another interesting episode this Saturday at Vigattin Radio with guest anchors Mr. Alvin Barcelona and Ms. Edlyn Co with Mr. Elison Barcelo. Joining them are software engineers who achieve recognition abroad and they are the IT Security for the Next Generation Asia Pacific and MEA Cup 2012 winners who bested other finalists from developed countries.

They are graduates of computer science from University of Diliman last 2012. The guest are Mr. Kevin Charles Atienza (graduated summa cum laude and two time world finalist of ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest), Mr. Rod Javier Bondoc (graduated cum laude and joined an all Filipino consulting startup), and  Mr. Joshua Arvin Lat (graduated magna cum laude and engineer for startups Taste Central and Deal Grocer).

They were also joined by the founder of TechTalks.ph and organizer of Geeks On A Beach event, Ms. Tina Amper.

Mr. Rod, Kevin and Joshua are the winning team for the research project SOUL System: Secure Online USB Login System, they represented Philippines and won first place for the IT Security for the Next Generation Asia Pacific and MEA Cup 2012.  The event took place in the Netherlands and they competed with tech experts all over the world.

The trio talked about that they did not expect to win the competition. At first they really don't have an interest to join the event but they were encourage by their research advisor so they submitted their research paper online and after that they receive an invitation to join the event.

Their winning research project is the SOUL System: Secure Online USB Login System. It is a system used to secure users online because one can hack passwords easily through the use of trojans, keyloggers and even social engineering. It provides a low-cost secure online using a two-factor authentication system which involves both a password and a security token in a form of an ordinary electronic device such as flash drives.

The main goal of the SOUL system is to build and design a system that can easily be integrated to websites that want to have a more secure login and registration process.

They also talked about on what they did after graduating on their chosen degree. Mr. Kevin Atienza said that after graduating, he joined Kalibrr (the first Philippine startup to be accepted by the prestigious startup incubator Y Combinator). Meanwhile, Mr. Rod Javier Bondoc joined the e-commerce startups Taste Central and Deal Grocer and Mr. Joshua Arvin Lat entered Blackbird, a US based IT company.

When they were asked if what’s there feeling representing the Philippines internationally, they answered that they are very happy because it only shows that we Filipinos had a chance to win these events and Filipinos can compete with other countries which proves that we are very good at the IT field.

Later on, Ms. Tina Amper,  founder of Techtalks.ph and  organizer of Geeks On A Beach invited listeners to join the annual conference that will be held on August 21 to 22 at Mactan Island Cebu. It is the first international tech conference to be held on a beach which makes it unique.

She added that “we want people to learn and meet good folks from the tech industry. We also want to showcase the Filipino tech industry to the world, and as an evidence of our three awesome guest here, the Filipinos are very good on tech and we also wanna promote the beaches here.” Geeks On A Beach also had a cause to give part of the proceeds to survivors of typhoon Yolanda and the earthquake that happened in Central Visayas.

Miss Tina explained that “we Filipinos are actually very good on technical and we already run some of the best websites  and outsourcing destination. We build software and website and created social media campaigns for foreign companies.” They are also inviting OFWs that are involve on tech and to those who want to know about what’s happening on our tech industry. For those who are interested, you can register online via www.geeksonabeach.com.

The guests then answered some questions from the listeners. The trio was asked if they can still remember all the programming languages they learned at school, they answered that students just need to familiar common programming languages that are needed in the corporate world. They also advised IT students who want to join competitions.

Mr. Josh added that students need the passion and discipline that will drive them to do more and they should not forget the goal that they set.

Later on, Mr. Elison Barcelo asked them if they have any projects together. They replied that they are joining some hackathons or other tech events just to feed their hobbies because it’s prohibited in their companies to have some side projects. Aside from joining hackathons, they are also invited by some universities to have lectures on the different tactics of web development.

Ms. Tina was asked  if what’s her inspiration on founding TechTalks.ph. She responded that she was really burned out working abroad and if she’ll have a vacation in the Philippine she doesn’t know what to do so she formed a group online and called it TechTalks.ph and from there she met other people who loved to talk about the latest tech happenings in the Philippines. Onwards, they set to organize some events featuring the tech industry which includes Startup Weekend and Geeks On A Beach.

Before the show ended the guests advised the students who are listening to Vigattin Radio. Mr.  Kevin told them to push forward and never give up while Mr.  Josh said that they just need to enjoy what they are doing and think of it as a game and Mr. Rod uttered that students just need to have priorities and determination. Lastly, Ms. Amper advised students thay they need to pick a dream and then plan on how they can make their dreams come true.

With the continuing emergence of technology, they prove that Filipinos can also get the spotlight. Winning the international competition on cybersecurity is a great pride for Filipinos because it shows that Filipinos had the necessary skills to compete globally and events like Geeks On A Beach demonstrates that we have innovators that can provide Philippines with a new industry.

Certainly, Philippines will have its own Silicon Valley someday and create a global market for all.

 

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