My Point of view for #COMELEAK

It was nice to know that the Technical Forum on the COMELEC Data Leak was a success. This is a collaborative effort of TXTPOWER in partnership with the Computer Professionals’ Union (CPU), 8Layer Technologies, VoteReport PH and other Partners.

I believe that it’s time that COMELEC start facing legal case for not doing their job properly to protect Filipinos' private information. The data being dumped and are now circulating on the internet is a clear picture of INCOMPETENCY of our government plus the fact that they still don’t have a strong program for Data Protection and Data Privacy. A program on the technical point of view should be started as this is a very URGENT issue. This is a call for every Filipino (Tax Payer or Not) that should be given a priority. 

KUNG HINDI NGAYON, KAILAN PA? 

Another point of view that has not been discussed that I personally believe is another problem for COMELEC and ELECTION 2016 is the method of transmission for VCM- that is via Mobile dongle and will tunnel though a VNP created by a third-party company, SMART MATIC. Government should not allow this, having a third party managing a VPN tunnel in which the data that will be transmitted is very important and critical is a NO NO! DITO MATATALO ANG MGA PILIPINO. We should have a Technical team working in the government (ie. COMELEC) that will be accountable for everything that will happen on the result of our elections.

Just my 2 cents!

http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/130523-forum-comelec-data-leak-gross-betrayal-public-trust

http://thephilippinestar.ph/articles/2016-04-24/news/it-community-comeleak-a-gross-betrayal-of-public-trust/149048

http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/130509-comelec-execs-impeached-data-leak

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/04/24/1576297/it-experts-comeleak-breach-public-trust

http://interaksyon.com/article/126841/comeleaks-fiasco--i-t--groups-call-for-class-suit-against-poll-body

COMELEC,THIS IS A BIG DEAL!

They say this leak is a no big deal. https://wehaveyourdata.com It seems that COMELEC doesn't understand the exposure of this information. THIS IS A BIG DEAL! What do you think about filing a case against COMELEC? Your downplay strategy won't work and it is not acceptable.

Choir ng Bayan

Choir Ng Bayan is a platform for popularizing choral pieces written and arranged by Filipinos. 

This kind of app is something we are proud to create. Proud that we are part of this project. The fact that we are collaborating with very good people while creating an that will change the lives of our Kababayans is a reward in itself. 

We thank you, Sir Gary and the rest from AM Studios, CNB Inc, Gary Granada Musicworks and of course my team, 8layer Technologies, Inc. for this wonderful collaboration.

The Shu-Ha-Ri for Geekineers

Geekineers should always remember Shu-ha-ri as a way to achieve excellence not only for themselves but for the benefit of the institution, partners and clients. This is very critical for everyone on our journey for Lean and Agile organization.

Shu - To learn by following instructions

There is a saying that before you become a good leader, you should be a good follower. This is true and very applicable for every Geekineer especially in project execution. Imagine if your boss tells you that this is the best way to code or program the application then you don’t follow him/her. This leads to more rewrite, reword, rework and revision. A lot of waste for everyone. This is not how we want to be identified. We are more than that. We started by obeying the fundamentals. We welcome changes and we deliver regularly. The key is to discipline ourselves so that our bodies absorb the rules and we gain experience.

Ha - To understand and break tradition 

Collaboratively and harmoniously, Geekineers work together and apply the gained experience to make innovations. The "Ha" stage usually is executed via framework and right people in doing the job.

Ri - To develop mastery by embracing creative technique

Geekiners must understand that shu and ha must be internalized and must be second nature to them. This way, creative organizational culture is attained and realized.

Let's make Shu-ha-ri a habit, Geekineers!

Be More, Be Useful and Be of Service.

COMELEC

OPEN SOURCERER

The Open Sourcerers always share how they create unusual and usable things so that others can learn, benefit and contribute to enahance it and to create IMPACT in the community and country.
--mbm 04022016

VISION
For Change Makers and Movers to share and collaborate for Open Culture, Open Mind,Open Education and Open Innovation for the country.

MISSION
1. To lead a movement for change makers to showcase their work and platform so that others will learn, study and can contribute for the enhancement and redistribution of their work to benefit the majority.

2.To foster collaboration towards open innovation among government, tech communities, academe, civil society, and enterprises.
3.To convene tech leaders, change makers, students, and enthusiasts who are committed to spreading Open Source throughout the country.
4.To share and promote best practices and policies for good governance so others will be guided and can cooperate through open feedback.

Bigas hindi Bala

Ni: Meric B. Mara

15000 sako ng mga Bigas 

Pangangailangan ng mga mag-sasaka’y bakas

hinihiling sa gobyernong waldas

Sa pwersahan at dahas sila nilutas 

Sinisigaw din ng malakas

Ang calamity fund ngayon ay ibukas

Dahil sa init at El ninong Hudas

Ang mga buhay ay winawakas

Bakit pinaputukan?

Ano ba naman ang ilalaban?

kayong mga walang malasakit sa mamamayan

dahilan ng tunay na kahirapan

Dahil walang ani sa palayan

Tag-gutom ang ating kababayan

Kinikitil pa sila ng walang laban

Sa bala sila’y pina-ulanan. 

Sa yungib ng damdamain ay dahas

Sumusuray suray at walang lakas

Panalingin sa maykapal ay lunas

Pag-kakapantay pantay sana’y tumaas

Bigas Hindi Bala

DIY Mobile Telco

I remember when we created a presentation last November 2015 about Internet Declaration where I put emphasis on the need for the Philippines to have a strong program for DIY Mobile Telco. 

I see this solution for those people whining about the “fraud” of Telcos and the “slowness” of Telco's connectivity especially SMART, GLOBE, PLDT and SUN that instead of complaining, why nit create their own solution. Make their own Telco. My wish is to be able to accomplish Open Bay Station where there is a different set-up in each island in the country.

Open Classroom is a VR Classroom/ VR Seminar

Last week, I told my team about the Open Sourcerer movement and how vital it is in the community, promoting open Culture, Open Minds and Open Hardware and open Source Software. 

One of the initiatives that I personally want to promote under this flag is the execution of VR Classroom. The concept is very simple. 

1. Students will wear VR Shutter Glass (or VR Cardboard) and he/she will see the classroom, teachers and classmates. 
2. He or she can participate on the classroom discussion. 
3. He will be graded by the teacher based on his class performance. 

This is it for now !

I’m still studying on how this can be properly executed but I’m very excited about this.

Happy 11th year 8layer!

By: Meric B. Mara

Where do I begin? Too much good memories are flowing on my mind right now that I can't help but smile on reminiscing each one of them. All these experiences - the journey, the challenges, the triumph, the failures, are all valuable to my growth not only as a leader of this company but as a responsible citizen of this society.

Today as we celebrate our 11th year in this industry, I want to thank all those who have been a part of our journey, past or present friends, partners, clients, colleagues, mentors, family members, fellow advocates and many others. Some whom we have touched and have continued the advocacy that we love. You have all been a source of pride to me and to 8Layer.   

11 beautiful and meaningful years of journey...

11 years of learning... slowly moving toward a "Lean but Agile” institution..

What has changed in 11 years? We have improved a lot through the 11 years and are proud to say that we are now better and will continue to progress ahead in these areas:

People:

-We have a high caliber team who is united in creating productive solutions for the country.

-IOT & Service Management Group is now on their way to help us support and make all our customers happy.

-I remember saying that it's not just a job; it's not just about the salary; but it is the sense of pride that you take in what you're doing. It's the sense of self-fulfillment and worthiness you get when you've accomplished your work because it is your responsibility to the people who trust you that matters most.

-Institutionalize our Sales & Marketing Group so that we can focus on offering our solution for the market and so that more will benefit from it. We also have some partners who helped us grow the business.

Technology:

-More innovation has been introduced.

-Aksyon Sentral, Hook and Kabalikat, the core products of 8layer today, have the public's well being as the main priority. bandera ng 8layer ngayon.

-We now have a Git Repository. =) (Ngayong may biruan na kami sa Office)

Process:

The Agile process is very evident in the organization, very far from when we way we started. Having internal tools for productivity is also being practiced.

Others:

Advocacy Programs - Nandyan na ang mga Open Sourcerers

Caravans

Hackathons And more—new ways on how to engage the youth for a better country using technology!  

For 8layer, it has been 11 years that our vision and mission is intact and with that comes the value of sharing to develop knowledge of others. As the CEO of this company, it gives me so much pride and honor to serve this nation with the things that 8Layer does!

The Art of Be More

We, at 8layer had our fair share in raising awareness on different topics in technology, leadership, and many others to our audience who are all supportive of our business and advocacies. Recently, we are championing "The Art of Be More". 

 Here are a few take aways and as always, we hope that this well help you know yourself and understand other people better to contribute to our community. 

 1. While still young, start by loving yourself and understanding your purpose. 
 2. Be courageous. Without courage, you cannot move further. 
 3. Make and prove your work tangible and visible. Remember to always follow through your words with actions. 
 4. Connect to a group of good friends and community that creates inspiration and supports you to grow. 

 Hopefully in time, you have not only mastered the art of 'be more', but also, 'be useful' and ' be of service to others' as well. 

 Let us build experiences that we can share to future generations for a better community and to contribute to our country's growth.

Bringing Business to the NEXT LEVEL!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Meaning and Substance

In my 10 years of experience of being an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that you don't need to change your vision and goal. You need to change the people around you. Always surround yourself with people who are as passionate as you. That way, you can create something with "meaning" and "substance"

Random Thoughts

“Strength is not measured in numbers, rather, the tenacity lies in the perseverance and persistence of one's spirit and soul to do what needs to be done to bring about integrity and uphold social responsibility.”  -mbm 01/26/2016

Kalinga: A treasure, indeed

Try to imagine an experience of a lifetime, so complete, you couldn't wish for anything more. Such is what we have experienced in a place so magnificent and with its people, who made Kalinga even more beautiful. The trek is definitely one for the books. It isn't for the faint hearted and unfit. You have to walk near cliffs. The beauty despite the hardships is that the weather is nice and cool and the view is breathtaking.

A lot could be said within the past few days we were there. But there are things I would never forget on my journey to Kalinga.

1. Have a tattoo done by Whang-Od and her grand daughters.
It is a privilege to have experienced this. I was so happy and humbled to meet them. Grab an opportunity to have your picture taken with Whang-Od and her granddaughters, Elyang and Grace. They are what they call The Master, The Young Master ang the Granddaughter or “Mambabatok” of Kalinga.

2. Go to a Pandayan or blacksmith
A great souvenir from a great place. If you want a remembrance from your journey, this is definitely it. The knife, that varies in length is handcrafted. Its price ranges from 300 to 600 pesos. You can also get a knife case for an additional 100 pesos.

3. Having attended a wake
Of course, I do not wish to have more deaths in the community, but rather, it was an enlightening and interesting experience. Like any remote places, Kalinga has its own unique practices in dealing with the loss of a loved one. The casket is open and there was a lot of chanting by the women. The wake lasts for 3 days and they bury the dead in the vicinity of their houses.

4. Photography
Have your newest camera ready for a never ending photo opportunities. You can enhance it for more drama or leave it as beautiful as it is.

a. Look for youth, women, men and the elderly with tattoos.
Ask them to show their cheerful smiles and you're good to go!

b. A lot of pigs (native) roaming around As if house pets

c. If you're a nature lover, you'll be amazed of the beauty of the paradise that is Kalinga.

d. You can take a picture of the elderly chewing their "nga-nga” which is said to make their teeth stronger. You can also see men in their loincloth (bahag) with their spears.

5. Food trip and drinks
If you love food, you have to try their "semi adobo" which is a combination of pork and chicken cooked in soy sauce. Their coffee and their wine from sugarcane are also a must-try.

6. Outreach program
The honor and privilege to offer your time and share to the youth is ours. During this trip, our goal was to bring happiness to the tribe of Butbut in Tinglayan, Kalinga in our own little way. We brought school stuff such as papers, notebooks, pencils, crayons, sanitary kit and watches that the kids can use. We also gave them food and candies which brought smiles to their faces.

It was a lot of fun. We even had games. The whole experience was priceless!

Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Be sure to allot at least 4-7 days. I can definitely say that this is not the last time I'll be in Kalinga.

Again, I would like to thank everyone who supported us in this program. We couldn't do this without your help. To our friends who are always willing to give a hand especially those who gave medicines. To the management team of 8layer (Miguel,Kates at Rosa—sabit na din si Edwin) and to our family at Daguso Mountaineering group  headed by Guevarra Family (Jane, Raymond and Francis) plus our family at Rotary Club/RCMD for their never ending support most especially for the pictures and documentary. Maraming Salamat sa inyo!

How Geekineers Celebrate Christmas?

Merry Christmas! At 8layer Technologies, Inc., when we work, we work. And when it's Christmas time, we have a Geekineer's way to celebrate it. Real Christmas for Geekineers means giving thanks to Jesus, Family Bonding, Celebrating with friends and loved ones, Time to have Fun and to bring back to community. 

Giving thanks to Jesus 
Remember to appreciate and thank God and Jesus for all the blessings and all the challenges that made us stronger. 

Family Bonding
With the whole family, let us make the most of our time through conversations and bonding activities. No gadgets for now! 

Celebrate with Friends 
Find time meet friends, especially those you haven't met in a long time. 

Entertainment and Have some Beer 
Some of us will simply play their Wii +Booze Conversations, music, good food, great company, and of course, booze! 

Bring back to Community 
There is no greater pleasure than knowing that you helped put a smile on someone's face. Let us remember our less fortunate brothers and sisters during this time.

In addition to that, let's say a simple prayer so that our critical project will be stable and that there won't be any downtime during the holiday season. 

Again, Merry Christmas to all Geekineers and your loved ones!

8 Cool things about DLSU HackerCup 2015

8 Cool things about DLSU HackerCup 2015
By:Meric B. Mara



November 21, 2015
@Henry Sy Hall,DLSU

Today is the official day for the DLSU HackerCup 2015 where students/developers/hackers gather together to have fun and to make a working software that will be beneficial for the country. This year's theme is “Open Data”. For more information about the event, please visit the ff URLs.

http://hackercup.co/
https://www.facebook.com/dlsuhackercup2015/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/my8layeracademy/?fref=ts

What are the benefits?

1. FREE Mentors
-You can ask questions regarding concepts of your preferred software. You can ask for guidance for your project too. The mentors come from different community and they will be willing to share their knowledge with you.

2. Collaborate with other hackers
*This is a good venue to meet and collaborate with other hackers and to expand your network. This is also a good place to meet new friends in the IT industry.

3. Code, Eat & Play - Just code and showcase your talent in coding! Eat freely and play to relax. Hackathons are cool! There's Virtual Reality and Kinect that you can try and experience.


 
 

4. Freebies - Who doesn't love freebies? Get freebies from sponsors like shirts, pens and more!

5. Photobooth--An event will not be complete without a souvenir! Have your coolest and wackiest shots taken as remembrance for being a part of HackerCup event. It's FREE!

6. Ambiance — The venue is very nice! The hackers will surely be comfortable in making applications. It's very spacious and there's even an entertainment room so you all can relax and play!


7. Learn about some products from sponsors
-Network,Connectivity,Software ,Hardware and software applications. Just ask and you'll definitely learn!

8. Apps Demo is something to watch out for. You'll surely learn a lot from the product demos and presentations of the participants. Watch out also for the comments of the judges. They will help you in becoming mature hackers and in building more softwares in the future.

The clock is still ticking and we can't wait to see who will emerge as the winner for this year's Hackathon!

A Geekineer's Blueprint to Success

Christmas is just around the corner and I'm just in front of my Playbook and doing “A Geekineer's Blueprint to Success” which includes the lessons I've learned from PED and a few lessons that I've learned from my experiences, all of which are included in my Personal Action Plan. 

 In this blueprint, there are 4 questions that need to be answered. Then after, you will have a good view of your personal roadmap to success. 

First Question, Hu u? —This is where you describe yourself and your roles that should be guided by your PECS and Typology. i.e. I'm an Open Source Advocate, Social Entrepreneur/Geekineer and a Community Volunteer. 


1. Open Source Advocate I consider myself being an Open Source Advocate as my number 1 priority. My passion for anything Open Source is the reason why I’m here doing what I love. I continue to get motivated by simply being an ambassador to increase awareness and improve the perception of open source software in the Philippines and all over the world. 

2. Social Entrepreneur/Geekineer More than being a business entrepreneur, being called a social entrepreneur gives me more pride. This way, I understand that I'm not only working for myself and for a few people who work with me. Rather, I believe that what I am doing affects far more people that I can even imagine. Achieving social change will always be an important mission of my life. 

3. Community Volunteer “To provide service and make a difference in the community” will continue to be my battle cry. When you volunteer, you not only develop and strengthen your skills, you also help improve human quality of life. What greater reward could there be? 

 
Second Question, Y u?—Your essence and your vision, short term and long term, that should be SMART driven together with your strategy plan that is SCIENCE. 

“I'm an Open Source advocate and I want to spend most of my time teaching and sharing my Open Source knowledge to students and professionals. As a Social Entrepreneur, I want to architect and build software that will help my community and country to act responsibly and with sense of urgency. I want it to be the de facto or standard in research tool, feedback mechanism and incident reporting. I also want to promote geekineering which is focusing with great attention to detail on the creation, organization and management of a working software that is robust, efficient and useful to everyone.” 

 Third, What are u?—Create a framework that will describe what your passions are. Explain your attributes that will showcase where you're best at and what drives your economic engine that will make you happy and finding unutilized capacity around you. 

And Lastly, When will u?—This is your aspiration and success that is executed with LEAN and SIX SIGMA discipline and methodology. 


Here is the Infographics to summarize all of these. 

Shy

I think everyone has experienced being shy at one point in their lives. I, too, am shy at times. However, this is one effective tool that I use to overcome this. 

" I just make sure that I study the products and services that we offer by heart. This is so that I can answer any question confidently and assertively because I have mastered everything there is to know about our products or services." -mbm

Lessons that Start-ups can pick up from Rosing and Cita's Chicken Bacolod

Lessons that Start-ups can pick up from Rosing and Cita's Chicken Bacolod
By: Meric B. Mara

Best tasting barbeque chicken I have ever tasted! The best!
-Paul Tolentino

Last September 24-28, I visited Bacolod and met new friends, Government officials and Entreprenuers there. Our team was very busy presenting our Aksyon Sentral Software. The most important experience for me there was that I surely learned a lot from that visit.

I want to share the story of one entrepreneur that I met and interviewed. She is Ms. Vicvic Capote. She is one of the owners of Chicken Inasal House called "Rosing and Cita's".  Every night, once we finish our presentation, we always go to Manokan Country, a famous place for good Bacolod Chiken Inasal and have a good dinner there. I decided to interview Ms. Vicvic because I want to learn more about the  food industry and I also want to learn from their experiences and probably someday, I can also have a food business too.

Company Background:
Company Name: Rosing/ Citas
Description: A Chicken Bacolod house that is located in a famous Manokan Country of Bacolod.
Owner: Ms. Vicvic Capote/30 Years old
Number of Year in the Business: 45years
Price: Inasal is 70 Pesos
       (SET) Inasal,Rice and Softdrinks is 100 Pesos    



I asked Ms. Vicvic what drives her in doing the business? She just simply said to me that she wants to continue the legacy of her Lola (Lola Rosing Logador) who is famous in raising and selling poultry. She is  a very passionate cook . She believes that their recipe is very unique and that her persuasion skill and self-confidence will bring her and her family to success.

I also asked her the most important insight about entrepreneurship that she can share with aspiring entrepreneurs. And this is what she said.

Dapat focused ka, full time ka at confident ka sa tinitinda mo. Dapat magaling ka din na magkumbinsi - Ms. Vicvic Capote
(It is very important to stay focused. Make sure that you exert time and effort in everything you do. Be confident in your product because it will help you convince your customers.)

*I believe Ms. Vicvic Capote is a very confident entrepreneur. That is one of her investments and strengths. When I talked to her, I was easily convinced why their business has been going on for years. She still has a lot to learn but the eagerness is there and that is very admirable too. I believe that her strong faith, focus and determination are the factors that made her succeed. She strongly believes in herself, her abilities and products to achieve her goals. Being open to feedback is another great quality of an entrepreneur that I saw in her. It made her want to serve her customers better which will also help her with product development too.

Here are some of the lessons leaned from our interview.

=======
Opportunity-seeking
Ms. Vicvic Capote: Our store is strong especially during the time of Maskara Festival. So, for days that are not as busy, we earn money through catering. I also add other menu items such as Sizzling Dishes so we’ll have additional income. We add items that are not normally seen in an Inasal restaurant such as oysters.
Lesson: She actively looked for other opportunities that will benefit her business in periods where she knew they need it most.

Persistence
Ms. Vicvic Capote: I value our customers so I always give out free soup, atsara and discounts to my regular customers. I give 5% discount if they order food worth P1000 and up. For students, I give them special discount for set meals (from P70 to P60). And of course, senior citizens enjoy their mandatory discounts as well.
Lesson: Giving out incentives is an indicator that proper persistence is at play. Freebies and discounts are a sure way to entice customers, old and new.

Commitment to Work Contract*
Ms. Vicvic Capote: I always tell my customers that the taste of our chicken is guaranteed and that they do not need to pay if they are not satisfied. It is so heartwarming to know that they will readily pay for our food because they are sure that it is delicious and that they will have a wonderful meal in the restaurant.
Lesson: She is committed in making sure that the customers will enjoy their dining experience. This also shows her passion in the business and in growing her relationship with customers.

4. Demand for quality/efficiency
Ms. Vicvic Capote: I sometimes ask colleagues and a few students who are my customers if they are satisfied with the food. I believe that this is an important aspect in making sure that you give your customers their money’s worth. I value their opinions and suggestions so that I can improve our products and services. I would like to have proper mechanism for this so that I can fully implement a feedback system.

Lesson: Talking to your customers is an essential part of growing your service company. It will help you to assess your performance and continue the things you are good at and improve your weaknesses.

5. Risk-taking
Ms. Vicvic Capote: I always try to provide our customers with better dining experience through renovation, better equipment and others. In order to do this, we have to check our resources and the day to day operations of the restaurant so right now, we are doing it at a conservative pace.

Lesson: As per her example, she tries to counter the risk moderately in growing her business. Even if this is the case, she is aware that any business endeavor has risks and that she takes these risks seriously.

6. Goal-setting
Ms. Vicvic Capote: We set a specific goal per day. Right now, we are quite happy to reach that goal everyday. We also make sure that the rent is settled without any problems. (They need to sell 40 sets of Inasal+Rice+coke in a day)

Lesson: It is always a good idea to have a goal and look at it as inspiration. This enables the whole team to stay focused. Although they are currently not thinking their business a BIG business,  they have their own simple SMART metrics that help their business survive.
.

7. Information-seeking
Ms. Vicvic Capote: Knowledge is power so I take advantage of programs that I know I can benefit from. Currently, I attend seminars sponsored by the Cityhall concerning business matters that will help us grow and expand as well as to properly manage business operational requirments.

Lesson: At this age, information can be easily accessed. It is up to us to take advantage of it. I am happy that even at small events and seminars at Cityhalls, we can all learn new skills and knowledge.

8. Systematic planning/monitoring
Ms. Vicvic Capote: I am a very organized person. I take pride in seriously planning and managing our business. I take the lead in making sure that the place , the products and the service are in order. I have 3 professional staff who assist me in this area.

Lesson: This shows that it is always best to plan ahead. Your team will appreciate it because they know that you are meticulous and you know what you want for your business.

9. Persuasion and networking
Ms. Vicvic Capote: I listen to other professionals within the same industry. I have friends and relatives who are also in the same line of business and they tell me suggestions that will improve our food and service.
Lesson: Interacting with other professionals and colleagues is very important. This is a good opportunity to meet new customers and partners.

10.Self-confidence
Ms. Vicvic Capote: I believe in our product and so I am 100% confident that if I offer it to customers, they will enjoy it tremendously. I think this is very important because if you show trust in what you are offering, the customers will know and they will try your product and will keep coming back for more.
Lesson: Being confident will make you a good leader. It will reflect in your products, your service and how you relate to your employees.

Creativity and Innovation

For me, creativity and innovation are both great values that any organization should cultivate.. When you have the ability of thinking out of the box, it gives you the artistic freedom to create and introduce something extraordinary.

09.07.2015 #8layerMondayReminer

A Startup Guide to Entrepreneurship...the 8layer way!

A Startup Guide to Entrepreneurship...the 8layer way!
Meric B. Mara

A lot has already been said about startups and its continuing rise in numbers and how they became integral players in the tech industry and business in general today. Being a startup company years before, 8layer has something to say as well. It was said that one key attribute of a startup is its ability to grow. We are proud to say that yes, we have grown amidst difficult challenges along the way. We feel that with everything we've been through as a company, and as an advocate of knowledge sharing, it is just right that we help other startups know a few lessons we have learned.

1. LIVE AND BREATHE YOUR VISION BY HEART

The vision you have for your company is something that flows in your blood. What you see and aspire for in the future should come to you naturally, letting you act out of passion and not by force. These everyday moments fuel the dream and enhance the idea that started it all. As you try to proceed with this vision in mind, be weary of those who will not believe in you and do not be afraid to fight for what you think is right. Lastly, as we live in this fast moving world, remember to update your knowledge to continue fulfilling that vision.

2. EAT THAT FROG

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

― Mark Twain

This is the quote that gave an idea to a best selling book, Eat That Frog, to end procrastination. How do we exactly stop procrastinating? I think everyone is guilty of this, at least a few times in our lives. This is a wonderful take on overcoming this bad habit. By dealing and focusing on the most difficult thing first, all other tasks would seem so much easier and you'll be able to accomplish more. Then, reward yourself after completing these tasks.

3.SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF PASSION 

When hiring people for your team, be sure to hire those who are as committed as you and who will lift you higher. Being with positive people will give you the confidence and boost to make right decisions. Developing programs and team building activities will also secure the bond of your organization as a whole.
 
4. MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE

It has never been more important than it is today for entrepreneurs to be visible, physically and online. There are a lot of ways this could be done. Being visible and "putting yourself out there" doesn't come easy to everyone. We, ourselves, learned the importance of this relatively late. Know your strength and determine the ways you can push your limits. Pitching your business/products, attending seminars, sharing your knowledge and conducting training are just a few examples on how to make this possible.

5. MIND YOUR ATTACHMENT TO PEOPLE

I believe it is natural for us to be attached to people such as our family, friends, people we work with and admire. However, in the work environment, it is important to tread carefully and know that nothing is permanent. As entrepreneurs, it is our duty to determine if the people in our team do not fit the company and its vision and if they pull you down. We should set an example by setting them free and supporting everyone's growth. Remember to conduct a proper exit interview. 


6. SYSTEMATIC PLANNING & MONITORING

As a pioneer in Open Source in the Philippines, we pride ourselves for demonstrating strength in the areas of planning and monitoring through the use of proper tools. This enables us to measure our capabilities and make adjustments in our activities if necessary. This is also another way of tracking whether we are satisfying our customers, which is our number 1 goal.

7. MAKE PROFIT

This is the foremost consideration for most people in putting up a business. Does it come easy though? Without hard work, just like everything in life, it does not. Our idea, to become a reality and for it to continue to fuel the organization, needs to be enhanced by innovation. This is the only way for the company to grow and achieve what you have set out to do in your vision. Hiring the right people will make you go there faster. Always have an eye for expansion when the opportunity presents itself.

8. CUSTOMER IS KING

Customer is King and as such, customers are very hard to please. It is our responsibility to know and understand them so that we can give them the product and service they want and need. By fulfilling projects and exceeding their expectations, it will make them happy and they will continue to give you long-term support .

Batangas State University (BSU) FOSS Seminar

Last August 28, 120 students from Batangas State University (BSU) visited our Open Source Museum and to attend seminars about FOSS, Career in IT and Raspberry Pi.

I shared with them how Raspberry Pi is good in prototyping projects and how incredible it is to have a pocket-sized laboratory .
Aside from that, I also shared with them the Internet of Things (IOT) which I believe can be the next exciting arena these next coming months and years.

After the event, a group of students approached me if I can be their speaker for their next seminar. Of course, I said YES!

Teaching Technology and Open Source software to students is something that 8layer-Geekiners & I love to do!

Human Capital

One of the best assets of our country is the Human Capital. In the age of technology, there are lots of Filipinos that are very talented in programming, project management, security, innovation and more. Plus, the fact that there are lots of positive attributes that will help us to succeed. Doing the businness operation in the Philippines can be an advantage because we are very resourceful and there are other instututions that are willing to collaborate and help us.