The story behind Abakada.org: how expensive software licenses, weak internet, and strict data caps in the Philippines led me to build a free platform that helps students, teachers, and professionals embrace open-source tools.
When I was a college student pursuing my BSIT degree, I ran into a massive roadblock. I simply did not have the budget to buy the premium software I needed, like the standard web authoring tools from big design companies. Back then, software licenses were incredibly expensive, and an ordinary student like me could not afford them. In a developing country like the Philippines, buying expensive digital tools is just not something parents can fit into an everyday household budget.
Trying to find alternatives was an uphill battle. In my home province in the Philippines, we had to deal with incredibly weak internet signals and strict data caps. Even a light drizzle meant the connection would instantly slow down to a crawl. Spending hours searching online for open-source tools meant my limited data would vanish before I could even download what I needed.
As my studies progressed, I truly began to understand the power of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). I realized how life-changing it could be for communities and for anyone eager to learn digital skills. Today, the widespread shift to subscription based business models has made premium software even harder to access. Paying a recurring monthly or yearly fee is completely out of reach for a typical family.
That experience is exactly why I built Abakada.org. I wanted to create a centralized platform dedicated to collecting the best free and open-source software alternatives.
To make the platform as accessible and helpful as possible, I focused on adding:
My goal is to help underprivileged students, hardworking teachers, out-of-school youth, and professionals embrace FOSS and build essential digital skills without spending a single cent.
With the rapid advancement of AI, our digital landscape is going to look completely different in the next five to ten years. We need to step up and support our youth, especially those living in remote and underserved provinces in the Philippines. By giving them the right tools and opportunities today, we can make sure they are prepared, highly competitive, and fully ready to take on the future.
Whether for a full-time role, a startup venture, or a collaborative project, I take on a select number of engagements each quarter. If you need a senior partner who holds both the architecture and the implementation in the same head, let's build something.