Lecture by D. Bata

Background

• From the north of the Philippines
• Father was a farmer
• Grew up in the Cagayan Valley
  • No electricity or telephones
  • Learned math using bamboo sticks
  • Minimal luxuries

Education

• Many classmates stopped school after sixth grade to work in fields
• Father encouraged education instead of field work
• Attended high school far from home
  • Felt inferior to city students
  • Focused on studies while friends played basketball
• Fell in love with engineering
• Graduated from UPUA, faced lack of design jobs in the Philippines

Move to America

• Applied for a Master's in engineering at Stanford University
  • Felt intimidated by smarter peers
  • Studied twice as hard

Professional Journey

• Saw opportunity in designing better computer chips
• Started and failed a company
  • Self-motivation was crucial
• Tried again and succeeded

Vision for the Philippines

• Founded Filev
  • Imagines every school with internet
  • Scholarships for deserving students
  • Encourages young Filipinos to start companies
• Believes in Filipino determination
• Hopes to show a path from hardship to success
• Emphasizes that his story can be the story of many Filipinos