PJ Bacolod – Tales of a Tech Shark

Category: Personal Stories & Reflections

  • Subic on a Whim: A Stormy Start, A Sunny Finish

    Subic on a Whim: A Stormy Start, A Sunny Finish

    This Subic getaway wasn’t planned at all. It was one of those sudden, “Let’s just go!” long weekend decisions. Bags were thrown together in minutes, snacks piled into the car, and off we went. The only problem? A typhoon was passing through. Great timing, right? The drive down had me second-guessing. The sky was grim,…

  • How APO Shaped My Journey in IT and Cybersecurity

    How APO Shaped My Journey in IT and Cybersecurity

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    I often thought that IT leadership feels a lot like being part of a college fraternity. You have to herd people who don’t want to be herded, organize projects that look impossible, and somehow keep the lights on when chaos erupts. My years in Alpha Phi Omega (APO) gave me more preparation for IT and…

  • Sleeping at the Wheel: A Wake-Up Call on Road Safety

    I fell asleep at the wheel last December. The accident could have ended everything, but it left me with lessons I can’t ignore. Drowsy driving is often underestimated, but it’s as dangerous as drunk driving. The brain doesn’t ask for permission when it shuts down. A second of unconsciousness behind the wheel is enough to…

  • Secure Yourself

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    How do you deal with remote threats or malicious attacks from bad actors? In cybersecurity, the answers are pretty straightforward: Over time, I’ve realized these best practices apply just as well outside the digital world. In life, too, you need to watch for warning signs and never ignore them. Trust no one blindly; always verify.…

  • Purge

    When a system crashes again…and again…and again… sometimes the best move is a good old-fashioned purge. Wipe it clean. Start from scratch. That’s when your BCP (Business Continuity Plan) or DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan) becomes your best friend, assuming you’ve actually got one ready. If not, well… better start drafting, because “hope and pray” isn’t exactly a…

  • Time Flies

    Time flies so fast.  This blog first started in 2005 with a post about hearing our unborn baby’s heartbeat for the first time. Now, my boy is off to college in a few months. He chose to go to La Salle. I’m very proud of you, anak. 🙂

  • Back in Business

    A few years ago, I made the rookie mistake of forgetting to renew my domain. Someone else grabbed it faster than you can say “auto-renew,” and I thought I’d kissed all my blog content goodbye. I had no backups, no safety net, just me staring into the abyss of my own negligence. Fortunately, the story…

  • Teraserve, Inc.

    I will finally be realizing my long-term career dream of heading a company of my own. My partners and I have pooled all of our resources over the past couple of months to incorporate/found an upstart, Philippine IT company – TeraServe, Inc. (TSI) – with yours truly serving as its President and CEO. We won’t…

  • I’m Coming Home

    Whew! Finally! The past couple of months have been incredibly challenging, but after some soul-searching and a few decisive steps, I can finally look forward to some proper rest. I officially tendered my resignation last week. The moment felt liberating, like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Now the weeks ahead are all about preparing…

  • Proud to Be a Bosconian: A Family Legacy of Don Bosco

    Proud to Be a Bosconian: A Family Legacy of Don Bosco

    January 31 marks the 119th death anniversary of Saint John Bosco—the “Father and Teacher of Youth” and founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco. For me, this is more than a date in history. It is a reminder of who I am and where I come from. I am, and always will be, a proud…