DEV Community: Andre ☺️

Celebrating 20 Years of Arduino: Highlights from Arduino Day Philippines 2025

Andre ☺️ — Tue, 06 May 2025 02:39:00 +0000

Last March 22, hundreds of makers, students, educators, and tech advocates gathered at STI College Cubao for Arduino Day Philippines 2025, joining the global celebration of 20 years of Arduino and open source innovation. With the theme “Celebrating 20 Years of Arduino and Open Source Innovation,” this year’s event became more than just a commemoration—it was a powerful reflection of how far the local tech community has come and where it’s headed next.

The event opened with warm welcomes from Marvin James Erosa and Jeferson De Leon, immediately setting a collaborative tone for the day. And in true Filipino fashion, a surprise Zumba icebreaker added the perfect energy boost to kick things off. But from there, it was all systems go—talks, workshops, demos, and inspiring stories from all corners of the tech space.

One of the standout moments came from Dennis Patino, who introduced Pepito, a wooden, Arduino-powered robot designed for beginners. Born from the idea that “if students can’t go to the lab, the lab will go to them,” Pepito has helped over 2,700 students experience hands-on robotics even during the pandemic. His initiative, Robotics Education for All, proves that access to STEM education doesn’t need to be limited by location or resources.

Meanwhile, Ryan Azur walked attendees through a real-world IoT application using the new Arduino R4. His talk, From Sensor to Cloud, demonstrated how to build a full-stack solution—monitoring temperature and humidity with sensors, storing data on AWS with MongoDB, and visualizing everything in real time with a React dashboard. His reminder to the audience? “The limit is your imagination.”

For those eager to get their hands dirty with actual prototyping, Christian Jay Mendoza offered a practical roadmap. From choosing the right sensors to carefully breadboarding and verifying every connection, his talk emphasized the importance of building with intention. “Understand the code,” he said. “That’s what’s important.” It wasn’t just about building fast—it was about building smart.

Beyond the tech talks, Arduino Day PH 2025 also brought heart. Joshua Bascos of Alerto PH introduced this year’s hackathon theme: women’s safety and fire prevention. In his talk, he challenged participants to “imagine your loved ones as you build the solution meant for them.” That call to build with empathy rippled across the day—and could be felt in the projects submitted by teams like Alab-Hero, Fire Archers, and Lora the Explorer.

The celebration also stepped into the future—literally—with Kristian David unveiling Flux, a mixed reality lab that allows users to code, simulate, and prototype all in immersive 3D. His vision? To overcome the limitations of 2D simulators and make hardware experimentation more accessible and interactive. Flux, he explained, could be the next evolution in Arduino learning environments.

Meanwhile, Jenna Ilao of YGG Pilipinas reminded the crowd that digital careers aren’t just coming—they’re already here. Her presentation on Metaversity and the rise of the Metaverse Filipino Worker (MFW) explored how Web3, gaming, and virtual mentorship are opening new doors for freelancers, students, and remote workers across the Philippines.

Other speakers added their own layers of insight to the day. Angelica Naguio took us inside the world of custom mechanical keyboards, showing how Arduino can power not just function, but also creativity and ergonomic design. Daniel Cosare shared his joy in building Alf, a Bluetooth-controlled mascot that reignited his passion for robotics. And Paolo Lozada demonstrated how blockchain, Firebase, and NodeMCU can work together to build seamless, decentralized payment systems for IoT.

Throughout the event, the energy never dropped. Whether it was the DevCon Kids program championing coding for ages 9 to 15, or Mark Estopace’s deep dive into Azure IoT pipelines, each session painted a picture of a growing, thriving innovation ecosystem here in the Philippines.

At its core, Arduino Day PH 2025 was a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and community. It showcased how open source technology continues to empower a new generation of builders—from grade schoolers assembling earthquake evacuation robots, to seasoned engineers pioneering new use cases for IoT and MR labs. And perhaps most importantly, it reminded us that when we combine empathy with engineering, the results can be both impactful and inspiring.

Here’s to 20 years of Arduino—and to many more years of building, sharing, and dreaming together.

Boomi Launches AI Studio to Orchestrate the Future of Enterprise AI Agents

Andre ☺️ — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 11:57:40 +0000

The adoption of agentic AI is accelerating across industries, offering enterprises a new way to automate workflows, improve decision-making, and boost productivity. But with this promise comes a challenge: managing the rapid rise of AI agents across fragmented systems, ensuring they remain secure, compliant, and efficient.

Boomi, a global leader in intelligent integration and automation, is tackling this head-on with the launch of Boomi AI Studio — a secure, vendor-agnostic AI management platform designed to orchestrate, monitor, and govern AI agents at scale.

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Why Centralized AI Agent Management Matters

According to a recent Gartner® report, by 2028, over 33% of enterprise applications will include agentic AI — a massive leap from less than 1% in 2024. While this marks a new frontier in enterprise automation, it also introduces potential pitfalls: security vulnerabilities, operational inefficiencies, and regulatory gaps.

Boomi AI Studio provides a powerful response. Already deployed in over 25,000 AI agents, the platform enables organizations to confidently scale their use of AI while maintaining the governance, oversight, and control necessary in today’s regulatory landscape.

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Breaking Down Boomi AI Studio

Boomi AI Studio is built around four key components:

🔧 Agent Designer
Empowers users to build and deploy AI agents using intuitive no-code templates, all grounded in trusted enterprise data and wrapped in security guardrails.

🛰️ Agent Control Tower
A command center for real-time monitoring, providing visibility and control over Boomi and third-party agents. It also integrates with Amazon Bedrock, making it easier for organizations to discover and manage their AI landscape.

🌱 Agent Garden
A personal workspace where users can collaborate with AI agents in natural language, streamlining agent design, testing, and deployment within a single space.

🛒 Agent Marketplace
Housed within the Boomi Marketplace, this hub offers pre-built and customizable agents developed by Boomi and its AI partners — making adoption and integration frictionless.

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Trust, Governance, and Innovation at the Core

“As AI reshapes how we work, it’s essential that organizations can build with confidence,” shared Ed Macosky, Boomi’s Chief Product and Technology Officer. “AI Studio brings trust, security, and governance into the heart of agent orchestration.”

The platform isn’t just about building agents — it’s about managing them across their entire lifecycle, from creation to optimization. This sets Boomi apart in a market where most vendors focus on releasing new agents but often overlook the need for operational excellence and ethical AI deployment.

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A New Standard for Enterprise AI

Early adopters are already seeing the difference. Amit Sinha, President & Co-Founder of WorkSpan, says:

“Boomi’s solution gives us confidence to deploy and oversee AI agents across our ecosystem, ensuring compliance and fueling innovation.”

With early access now open and general availability coming in Q2 2025, Boomi AI Studio is poised to become a foundational tool for enterprises aiming to embrace the future of AI — securely, ethically, and at scale.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andresito de Guzman is an Engineering Lead at The Outsource People and the Community Lead for PWA Pilipinas. He’s also the co-host of the KaKaComputer podcast, where he explores innovations in tech across Southeast Asia. Andresito champions inclusive digital experiences, with projects like Siyasat and Project Tren, and was recently recognized as part of StellarPH’s PH100 2024 list.

QR Codes in the Philippines: Convenience or Cyberthreat?

Andre ☺️ — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:58:32 +0000

The rise of digital payments and touchless transactions has fueled the widespread adoption of QR codes across industries. From retail stores to banking and government services, scanning a QR code has become second nature to many Filipinos. But with convenience comes risk—are QR codes a tool for seamless transactions, or do they expose users to cyber threats?

In a recent episode of KakaComputer, host Andresito de Guzman sat down with Onil Jaia Leyda, Technical Solutions Consultant at ManageEngine, to explore the hidden risks and security challenges associated with QR codes.

QR Codes: A Growing Trend in Digital Transactions

With the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) pushing for cashless transactions, QR codes have become a standard for payments, e-commerce, and even public transport systems. Their ability to store and transmit data instantly has made them an essential tool for businesses looking to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

However, this rapid adoption has also attracted cybercriminals looking to exploit security gaps. Attackers use QR phishing (quishing), malware injection, and fake payment diversions to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting users.

Understanding QR Code Threats

QR Phishing (Quishing)

Cybercriminals generate fraudulent QR codes that, when scanned, redirect users to fake websites that mimic legitimate platforms. These sites collect login credentials, personal information, and financial data without users realizing they are being scammed.

Malware Injection

Some QR codes prompt users to download apps or files that contain malicious software. Once installed, these programs can track keystrokes, steal passwords, or even hijack a device for remote access.

Fake Payment Redirection

QR codes are widely used for digital payments, but scammers create counterfeit codes that reroute funds to fraudulent accounts. Because these scams are difficult to trace, victims often realize the fraud too late.

How to Protect Yourself from QR Code Scams

Given these risks, both individuals and businesses must take precautions when using QR codes. Here are some key best practices:

Verify Before Scanning – Ensure that QR codes come from trusted sources, especially when making payments.

Use Secure QR Scanners – Some scanning apps have built-in security features that detect suspicious links.

Check the URL Carefully – When redirected to a website, look for misspellings or unusual domain names that indicate a fraudulent site.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Protect financial accounts by enabling extra security layers to prevent unauthorized transactions.

Be Cautious with QR Code-Based Downloads – Avoid scanning QR codes that prompt file downloads unless they come from a verified source.

The Future of QR Codes: Innovation vs. Security

As QR code adoption continues to grow, businesses and regulators must find a balance between innovation and cybersecurity. Solutions such as encrypted QR codes, AI-powered fraud detection, and stricter regulations can help mitigate risks while maintaining the convenience that QR codes offer.

Onil Jaia Leyda emphasizes the need for cybersecurity awareness and proactive security measures to protect consumers and businesses from emerging threats. Organizations that implement secure QR code practices will be better equipped to maximize the benefits of digital transactions while minimizing risks.

QR codes have transformed the way businesses and consumers interact in the digital landscape. However, their convenience must be matched with security awareness. By staying vigilant and implementing best practices, individuals and organizations can protect themselves from the growing wave of cyber threats targeting QR code technology.

As the digital economy continues to expand, one thing remains clear—security and innovation must go hand in hand to ensure a safer, more efficient digital future.

SN Aboitiz Power Group Embraces Low-Code to Transform Business Operations

Andre ☺️ — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 09:56:24 +0000

The push for digital transformation continues to accelerate across industries, but many organizations still struggle with the "messy middle"—a phase where IT backlogs, resource constraints, and fragmented systems slow down progress. For SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP), a leader in clean energy generation in the Philippines, this challenge became a catalyst for change.

Rather than waiting for traditional IT-driven solutions, SNAP took a business-led approach to automation. By embracing low-code technology, the company empowered its teams to streamline internal processes, improve collaboration, and reduce operational bottlenecks. Their partnership with Kissflow’s low-code platform has been instrumental in making this shift happen.

The Need for Scalable Digital Transformation

SNAP operates in a highly dynamic industry, where managing energy production and infrastructure requires both agility and efficiency. However, like many large enterprises, they encountered challenges with manual workflows, administrative delays, and the growing demand for automation.

A common misconception is that hiring more developers is the answer to these digital transformation roadblocks. But as highlighted in the Kissflow x Rockbird Media roundtable, 72% of IT leaders report that growing backlogs prevent them from focusing on strategic projects. The solution? Citizen development—a model where business users take an active role in building IT-approved applications without heavy coding.

SNAP embraced this approach by implementing Kissflow’s low-code platform, allowing non-technical teams to digitize over 95 business processes. This meant that employees could now design and deploy solutions tailored to their needs, rather than relying on IT teams to build them from scratch.

Bridging the Gap Between IT and Business Teams

One of the biggest takeaways from the Kissflow x Rockbird Media roundtable was the importance of collaboration between IT and business teams. The traditional approach—where IT builds solutions in isolation—often leads to inefficiencies and misaligned priorities. Instead, low-code platforms provide a bridge, enabling both technical and non-technical teams to co-create applications that drive efficiency.

For SNAP, this approach resulted in the development of custom applications such as Executive Assistants Central for managing administrative requests, Supply Chain Hub for vendor coordination, and iServe, an HR process automation tool. These solutions were built without long development cycles, proving that business users can lead innovation when given the right tools.

The Rise of Low-Code in Southeast Asia

This shift toward business-led automation isn’t unique to SNAP. Across Southeast Asia, companies are increasingly recognizing the value of low-code and no-code platforms to accelerate digital transformation.

During a recent Kakacomputer interview, Rakesh Nandakumar, Associate VP for Southeast Asia at Kissflow, shared insights on why low-code adoption is gaining traction. According to him, the ability for business users to build solutions independently is changing the way organizations approach innovation.

"We are seeing a massive shift in how businesses operate," Rakesh explained. "Low-code lets the people who actually use these processes take control—allowing them to build and refine solutions without waiting for developers."

🎧 L*isten to the full discussion on Kakacomputer:
* 👉 Sp[otify: Conversation with Rakesh Nandakumar

A People-First Approach to Digital Transformation

SNAP’s experience highlights a key lesson: successful digital transformation is not just about technology—it’s about empowering people. By putting automation tools into the hands of their employees, SNAP has built a culture of continuous improvement, where teams can proactively solve challenges and optimize workflows.

The insights from the Kissflow x Rockbird Media roundtable reinforce this idea. Organizations that embrace citizen development can unlock greater efficiency, reduce IT dependency, and accelerate their transformation efforts. This is especially critical in industries like energy, manufacturing, and retail, where agility and scalability are essential.

SNAP’s journey is proof that digital transformation doesn’t have to be complicated. By adopting a low-code, people-first approach, businesses can innovate faster, streamline operations, and stay ahead in an increasingly digital world.

As more organizations explore this path, one thing remains clear: the future of business automation belongs to companies that empower their teams to lead innovation from within.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andresito de Guzman is an Engineering Lead at The Outsource People and the Community Lead for PWA Pilipinas. With a degree in Human Biology from De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, Andresito is passionate about creating great web experiences and fostering tech communities. Recognized as one of the PH100 2024 by StellarPH, he is also a co-host of the KaKaComputer podcast, where he discusses the latest in IT. Andresito's innovative projects, like Siyasat and Project Tren, showcase his commitment to solving real-world problems and promoting digital inclusion.

PWA Pilipinas Roadshow in Cebu: Showcasing Innovation and Local Talent

Andre ☺️ — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:01:57 +0000

Image from PWA Pilipinas Facebook Page

On November 19, 2024, Enspace Cebu at Cebu Business Park became the center of web innovation as developers, tech enthusiasts, and community leaders gathered for the PWA Pilipinas Roadshow - Cebu. Organized by PWA Pilipinas, the event highlighted the transformative potential of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and their practical applications, with a special focus on local talent and solutions tailored for Cebu’s vibrant tech community.

The evening began with Andresito de Guzman, Community Lead at PWA Pilipinas, who delivered a session titled “Quick Introduction to Progressive Web Apps”. Andresito shared the foundational concepts of PWAs, emphasizing their ability to function offline, send push notifications, and deliver app-like experiences directly from the web. His talk demystified PWAs for newcomers while providing a solid refresher for seasoned developers, setting the tone for the rest of the event.

The spotlight then shifted to Dorell James, creator of Cebby, a PWA designed specifically for managing and discovering tech community events in Cebu. In his session, titled “Meet Cebby”, Dorell shared his journey in building the app, from conceptualization to development, using PWA technology to address the needs of the local community. Attendees were inspired by how Cebby simplifies event discovery, fosters collaboration among Cebu’s tech groups, and brings people together through shared interests. By demonstrating Cebby’s real-world impact, Dorell showcased the power of PWAs to create localized, meaningful solutions.

The event was further enriched by the support of community partners, including PizzaPy, Javascript Cebu, and Enspace Cebu. Their active involvement not only helped bring the event to life but also emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving Cebu’s tech ecosystem forward. These partnerships demonstrated the strength of the local tech community and the collective effort to empower developers and innovators in the region.

The audience was a blend of developers, tech enthusiasts, and community builders eager to explore how PWAs can revolutionize web development and create value for Cebu’s thriving tech ecosystem. Conversations during and after the event reflected the community’s enthusiasm for adopting PWA technologies to solve real-world problems.

As the event concluded, one thing was clear: PWAs are not only about innovation but also about empowering communities. The PWA Pilipinas Roadshow - Cebu provided attendees with practical knowledge and inspiring local examples, demonstrating how PWAs can bridge gaps, streamline processes, and foster collaboration within Cebu’s tech scene.

The event was a testament to the strength and creativity of Cebu’s tech community. With its focus on innovation, collaboration, and local solutions, the PWA Pilipinas Roadshow - Cebu left attendees motivated to explore the endless possibilities of Progressive Web Apps and inspired to contribute to the growing ecosystem of web technologies.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PWA Pilipinas Roadshow in Baguio: A Night of Learning, Innovation, and Community

Andre ☺️ — Sun, 22 Dec 2024 12:09:56 +0000

Image from PWA Pilipinas Facebook Page

On December 14, 2024, the 19hundred work.space in Baguio City became a vibrant hub of innovation as developers, tech enthusiasts, and community leaders gathered for the PWA Pilipinas Roadshow - Baguio. Organized by PWA Pilipinas, the event showcased the transformative potential of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and their role in shaping the future of web development. With engaging talks, practical insights, and a diverse audience, the roadshow delivered an evening that was both inspiring and community-driven.

The event opened with Andresito de Guzman, Community Lead at PWA Pilipinas, who delivered a session titled “Quick Introduction to Progressive Web Apps”. Andresito’s talk highlighted the core features of PWAs, such as offline functionality, push notifications, and seamless cross-platform performance. With his approachable style, Andresito ensured that even attendees new to PWAs left with a strong grasp of their transformative potential in modern web development.

Next, Gary Lloyd Senoc, Software Engineer at Collabera Digital, led an interactive session on “Create Your Own PWA with React & Gemini AI”. Gary demonstrated how combining React and Gemini AI can unlock smarter, more dynamic PWAs. From personalized content to advanced user interactions, Gary’s live coding examples inspired attendees to explore how AI can elevate their own web development projects. His session was a highlight for those eager to dive deeper into merging AI and PWAs.

The evening continued with Omar Palaming, CEO and Founder of PhilIT System Design Solution Co, who explored the capabilities of “Vaadin PWAs”. Omar focused on how the Vaadin framework simplifies the creation of scalable, business-grade PWAs. With practical examples and industry insights, he illustrated how Vaadin enables developers to build robust, enterprise-ready applications, making it an ideal choice for businesses and organizations.

The audience for the event was as diverse as its topics. Among the attendees were members of the Web3 community in Baguio, who brought their forward-thinking perspectives to the conversation. The event also drew students who traveled from Olongapo, showcasing their passion and dedication to learning new technologies. Their participation highlighted the far-reaching impact of the PWA Pilipinas community.

In addition to the technical sessions, Michael Lance Domagas, representing Devcon Luzon Programs, shared the organization’s initiatives and their exciting plans to expand their programs into Northern Luzon by 2025 and beyond. Michael outlined Devcon’s commitment to empowering developers in the region through education, events, and collaboration. His presentation resonated with attendees, who expressed enthusiasm for more opportunities to grow the local tech community in Northern Luzon.

The event also benefited from strong community partnerships with JBECP-UP Baguio and the AWS Learning Club - UP Baguio, whose active involvement fostered collaboration and engagement throughout the evening.

As the event concluded, one thing was clear: Progressive Web Apps are a key part of the future of web development. The PWA Pilipinas Roadshow - Baguio not only provided practical knowledge about PWAs but also inspired attendees to innovate and connect. From seasoned Web3 developers to passionate students, the event brought together a wide range of perspectives to celebrate the potential of PWAs and the strength of the local tech community.

The PWA Pilipinas Roadshow - Baguio was a testament to the power of combining technology with community-driven initiatives. With its focus on collaboration, innovation, and regional growth, it left attendees motivated to continue exploring and building the future of the web together.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR