Catching up the world leaders in IT Industry

It was like 10 years ago when the nation's trailblazers in the IT (Information Technology) industry have predicted that the Philippines would become one of the top software producing nations in the world, just second if not first to India in Asia. Government officials then touted the IT industry as a major force in bringing more revenue to the nations purse and as a catalyst in erasing the negative image that maligned the country as a survivor based on dollar remittances by DOH abroad. Schools and universities were once tasked to carry the huge burden in producing skilled graduates that will mobilize and drive the IT industry. Soon, varying IT related courses were offered, with some indistinguishable from the others, up to the point where the industry is flooded with unskilled, incompetent and lost workforce.

Now, a quick and honest assessment is, we haven't lived up to that billing. We lagged behind other countries who joined the race of late. We are witnesses of the constant exodus of skilled software engineers, programmers, system administrators and analysts who in no offense seek for greener pasture abroad. We still haven't seen or heard of a killer software application or a revolutionary thing that came out of the Philippines. In fairness, a lot of IT related jobs has been created since and the number is steadily growing every year. Thanks mainly to foreign IT companies who setup and relocated their branches and offices here due to cheap production costs, tax perks and availability of local talent (which of late has become a concern). The emergence of outsourcing has also helped where local IT companies offer and sell cheap services to foreign markets like BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and call centers. But these are not enough to carry the stagnant economy (largely due to rampant corruption in the government), not enough even to move us an inch closer to the world leaders in the IT industry.

Moving forward, we should have a realization that for the local IT industry to jumpstart the economy and catch up the world's IT leaders, it must produce and create products. Products that can be sold and marketed abroad. Look around, we have Nokia mobile phones from Finland; Sony Ericson mobile phones of Japan; Cisco, 3Com network equipments of the US; Samsung consumer appliances from South Korea; Acer computers from Taiwan; IPOD Nano from the iconic Apple of the US; Microsoft software, Google adsense, Yahoo email, Intel and AMD processor, all these of foreign origin. The same applies to consumer goods. Look again, everyone is sipping and loving their coffee at Starbucks (US); we associate facial tissue to Kleenex (US) and the iconic of all, Coke soda. The list is very long. After all, we have Bananas and Del Montes. We just need more. No more cheap services and outsourcing, just products.

2008: A rat race for IT practitioners

This must be the year for IT practitioners. In the recent forecast posted at Yahoo HotJobs, IT related jobs are in the Top 5 promising and high-demand jobs in the US for the year 2008. This brings a very good news to everyone not just limited to programmers (specially those who possess skills of the latest technologies in .NET, Web.2, C#, Java, Oracle), lead application developers, web designers, system administrators, system architects, computer security experts and technology specialists.

With the future so bright, you can't face it without wearing a shade! Get a cool one now...

Top five high-demand jobs in 2008

All time Filipino Geek

Diosdado Banatao, Dado as famously called, is the first Filipino engineer-entrepreneur who made it all happen in Silicon valley. He's undoubtedly the first Filipino geek whose work and accomplishments have helped shaped and revolutionized the PC industry in the early 80s. Dado who grew up in a secluded farming area in Cagayan Valley, is the ultimate symbol and proof that Filipinos, with diverse backgrounds, can make it big in the world through perseverance, hard work and continuous search for excellence.

Who will be the next Dado? Will he be a Cebuano? Let's see. Hope we all can drew inspirations from him, the father of all Geeks.

Asiaweek's write-up on Dado

A must to read book for aspiring Technopreneurs

The newest edition of the book entitled Rice and Chips by Dennis Posadas was already released and now available in National bookstore. In this book, Dennis attempts to present success stories and strategies modeled after the famed US Silicon Valley and how it could be replicated locally. I personally recommend reading of this book to IT startups, technopreneurs, technology innovators, IT practitioners, and academic institutions to gain deeper understanding of how technology, innovation and entrepreneurship forge each other to create a successful and blossoming economy in Asia, particularly Philippines.

Grab a copy now!

Morph blazes Open Source Innovations in Cebu

Morph Labs Inc. a sister company of Exist recently opened its software lab in Cebu City at the ground floor of i1 building at the Asiatown IT Park. The company becomes the newest hi-tech startup and IT enabled company to have located in Asiatown IT Park this year.

Morph is the first solution and technology enabler in Asia to venture into Software as as Service (SaaS) applications. Morph simplified innovations allow customers and subscribers to rent for software for a particular service as needed. This cut costs and gives more flexibility to customers specially companies and firms engaged in service provider industry.

Morph leverages the use of open source softwares, ideas and technologies into its products and service platforms. This approach enables the delivery of full range of services and features within a short development time. This also cultivates the growth of open source community and developers in Cebu which in general has been dormant in the last few years. Morph's vision and unique style would pave way for more hi-tech and open source-based startups to pop out in Cebu in the not so distant future.

Give way to open source, give way to Morph! Let's welcome the new kids on the park.

Red pills are being handed out at the doors of Morph. Hurry, apply now!

Easing the traffic woes

A sight of relief to people commuting along the Ban-Tal (Banilad-Talamban) area which of late has become a sign of the worsening traffic condition Cebu City has ever faced. Construction of an overpass along the Ban-Tal area is underway, thanks mainly to the government's strong move to put the project in place. Earlier, the project was a subject of resistance and objections among the business sectors and affluent residential communities in the area. Their objections were based on the possible impact of the project that it could shun consumers and potential costumers away from shopping in the area, particularly the Banilad Town Center.

All said and done, the Ban-Tal overpass project will benefit the majority of commuters, specially a thousand of workers and students coming from the upper Talamban who have to beat the morning and evening rush.

Cebu's Streetpreneurs

On every major streets and corners of Cebu City, you will see these people selling anything from rags, bottled waters, newspapers, cigarettes, candies, fruits, sunglasses, toys, home decors, etc. They are streetpreneurs. A lower class of Cebuano entrepreneurs who earn by selling goods to passing motorists and pedestrians. They symbolize the Cebuanos high entrepreneurial spirit and the whole city considered as the trading capital of the south.

Here's my latest acquisition from an streetpreneur, a cool artwork!