Creative foundations
My creative journey began in Baguio City, where my Fine Arts studies at the University of the Philippines Baguio naturally drew me into the city’s vibrant creative community. Seeking to expand my craft beyond the classroom, I joined the Baguio Arts Guild. There, I had the rare privilege of working alongside the late Santiago Bose, a pioneering multimedia artist who masterfully blended digital tools with traditional art. Under his mentorship, I developed a strong foundation in digital image editing and Adobe Photoshop, bridging the gap between classic visual arts and modern digital design.
This artistic foundation naturally evolved into a passion for web development. While experimenting on my mentor’s computer, I discovered Netscape Composer and was instantly captivated by the boundless potential of building websites. I immersed myself in early internet resources, mastering foundational front-end web technologies including HTML, Flash, Fireworks, and Dreamweaver. What started as an experimental first project—designing the official website for the Guild— quickly transformed into a lifelong career in tech.
A global practice
Over the next two decades, I expanded my technical expertise on a global scale. I secured my first professional web design role with an American firm in Manila in 2000, which soon led to an international position in Kuala Lumpur managing corporate websites and assisting in the development of online survey platforms. Recognizing the emerging potential of the digital gig economy, I pivoted to full-time freelance web development in 2007, building a robust independent practice focused on direct client collaboration and bespoke digital solutions.
Today, I operate from my historic hometown of Vigan City, having initially returned in 2018 to oversee my late father’s newspaper business. Though I have stepped away from the bustling Philippine capital of Metro Manila, my digital practice remains entirely borderless. Backed by over twenty years of cross-time-zone experience, I continue to partner with global clients, delivering high-quality web development services and compelling digital experiences from the heart of the Ilocos Region.