My Story

Back in 2016, I was a 15-year-old navigating the challenges of high school life in the Philippines, grappling with personal uncertainties amidst adversity. It was during this time that the concept of startups captivated me.

Despite financial constraints that restricted my access to a computer, I persevered, teaching myself to code at the local library adjacent to my school, leveraging its free internet and computer facilities long after the school day had ended. Nights turned into days as I immersed myself in learning, undeterred by the challenges I faced.

Joined by my classmate and co-founder, Leian, we embarked on a two-year journey marked by attempts, setbacks, and failures in our startup ventures. Each hurdle only served to stoke our determination, propelling us forward with a fierce resolve to enhance our skills and expand our knowledge.

In late 2018, we discovered the Young Founder's Summit through TechInAsia, a competition held in Singaporefor teenage entrepreneurs. While we didn't win any prizes, it inspired us to strive even harder.

By 2019, our startup, CaterX, achieved remarkable success, surpassing $1 million in GMV. Building on this accomplishment, my co-founder and I established the first-ever high school startup program in the Philippines, receiving ₱ 2.5 million in funding from the Government.

In 2021, I co-founded and co-organized Sandbox Philippines, a nationwide initiative aimed at nurturing and exposing young Filipinos to entrepreneurial opportunities. Our mentors—prominent founders and executives from globally recognized entities like 500 Global and PayMongo—provided invaluable guidance.

Later that year, I created Twitter Memories, which went viral within a week. Its popularity even caused ripples in unexpected places, including the NBA.

My journey from a 15-year-old—uncertain of my purpose—to a driven programmer and entrepreneur serves as a testament to transformative power of determination, continuous learning, and an unwavering belief in technology's potential to drive positive change and innovation.