My IT Journey

It Wasn’t Easy, But It Was Worth It

At age 12, due to family circumstances, I embraced the role of breadwinner, taking on various jobs to support my parents and five siblings.

I woke up at midnight to sell newspapers on the streets. After that, I sold food to passengers on trains and buses. Later in the day, I shined the shoes of company employees—anything to make money to support my parents and siblings. My father couldn’t find work, and I knew that if I didn’t do something, we wouldn’t make it.

By age 14, I was working as a dishwasher at a popular Chinese restaurant. By 16, I was working for an auto parts company, but during that time, I was also caught up in a lifestyle of drinking, smoking, and drugs. I was preparing to join the Philippine military—but for all the wrong reasons.

The Turning Point

A pivotal moment led me to reflect deeply on my life, prompting a transformative change guided by newfound faith and determination.

But there was one challenge: I had to stop smoking for seven straight days.

I was a chain smoker, consuming 60 cigarettes a day. Going from 60 sticks to none felt impossible. But I thought to myself:

“If I cut one of my fingers, it would be painful. But should I chop it off all at once or saw it off slowly—which would be more painful?”

Then I realized: Cigarettes were not part of my body. I didn’t need them.

So I quit cold turkey.

For seven days, I fought the cravings, the withdrawals, and the habit. But I did it. I proved to myself that I could change, that I could be clean.

And to this day, I have never touched a cigarette, alcohol, or drugs ever again. I also committed to a complete lifestyle of eating clean and regular exercise, and to this day, I still maintain that discipline.

Nobody could beat me in a non-stop 150 push-ups.

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Building a Future

After turning my life around, I got married, and soon after, I was given an opportunity to help introduce an educational program on the same island where I had once served my mission—a place that had already changed my life once. Returning as a husband and a father, I saw how the Lord weaves our past into our purpose. We stayed there for three years, helping others improve their lives—an experience that reinforced my belief that service and faith open doors in unexpected ways. That experience taught me something no certificate or title ever could: that the Lord can take even our technical abilities and use them for His purposes. I began to see that my career wasn’t just about solving problems—it was about lifting people.

Whether I was configuring a server, securing a network, or training a team, it all felt connected to something more. Each task became an act of discipleship—a quiet offering of my time and talent to something greater.

I’ve learned that you can write code and still follow scripture. You can carry a laptop in one hand and the light of Christ in the other. For me, the two are not separate—they’re sacredly intertwined.

Then, in October 1990, after 15 years of waiting, our immigration to the United States was finally approved. It was an answer to countless prayers and a leap of faith into the unknown.

Arriving in America was nothing like I had imagined. It was tough. I took whatever jobs I could find—temporary labor jobs, unloading heavy office furniture and refrigerators from 30-wheelers from 4 PM to midnight. I relied on faith and hard work to push through. After months of struggle, an unexpected connection led me to my first job in an electronics company, setting the stage for everything that followed.

My early tech journey: Customer Service days in the 90s at the electronics company, where my love for computers was reignited. Though I lacked formal education or titles at the time, I had determination and faith that God would guide my steps.

The Spark That Led to IT

At this electronics company, I became fascinated with computers. But my interest in technology actually started earlier.

Back in 1982, when the Macintosh was introduced in the Philippines, I was hooked. I thought I had fallen in love with the Mac. I was more of a Mac fan and IBM PC DOS user than Windows at the time.

Fast forward to my early days in the U.S., I took on more part-time jobs—including working for Taco Bell and O’Reilly Auto Parts—so I could afford my first computers:

My first IBM PS/1 — where the dream began. I crashed it, fixed it, and built my future around it.

An IBM PS1 with 4MB of memory, 170MB of disk space, a US Robotics 9600 baud modem, and a Packard Bell monitor as big as a mini refrigerator, along with a PS/2 mouse and keyboard, and both 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch floppy disk drives.

The cost? Over $6,000. Back then, computers were a luxury, but I knew they were the future.

Day and night, I would intentionally crash my computer and fix it, repeating this process until I mastered troubleshooting.

But I wanted to go beyond just fixing computers. So, I built another computer, bought a network hub, and started networking them at home—teaching myself how networks functioned before I even had a formal IT job.

But when I started applying for IT jobs, no company would hire me—I didn’t have the official IT experience they were looking for.

So, I took a different path. I enrolled in IT courses at Los Angeles College using a student loan. After completing 60 units, I was accepted at DeVry University to pursue Management in Telecommunications.

While studying at DeVry, I kept working.

My First IT Job—Harsh Reality

I applied for an IT job at a hospital in Glendale. I lasted 3 days.

The doctor in charge of IT fired me, saying: “You’re too old for IT. IT roles are for younger folks. You’re too slow.”

I went home crying. But my wife reminded me—I wasn’t too old.

Learning IT Without Google—Old-School Studying

No online courses, no AI, no YouTube. I bought IT books:

• Windows IT Plumbing
• Cisco Networking
• Novell Networking

I studied day and night, determined to prove them wrong.

My Breakthrough—USC Hired Me!

After four intense interviews, USC hired me as a PC Support Specialist.

But there was a condition: They would verify all my past work & community service.

The Next 90 Days Were Intense

Supporting over 900 employees with only one senior counterpart.

Technologies I handled:

• Fast Ethernet, OpenVMS, Windows NT 4.0
• Oracle, SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange 5.0
• Windows 3.11 on a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

This is where I developed my “No Band-Aid Fix” mindset:

• ABC – All Bases Covered.
• Fix it once, fix it right.

Looking back, I now realize that this mindset wasn’t just professional—it was spiritual. God was teaching me to build my foundation on rock, not sand.

After 90 days, I was officially part of USC IT.

Nationwide IT Rollout—Weekend Warrior

While at USC, I got hired on the side for a national IT project.

The mission: Upgrade Windows 3.11 to Windows 95 using PowerShell scripting.

The locations: NYC, DC (near the White House), Houston, CA, and more.

The perks: Round-trip flights, hotels, and meals paid.

The challenge: I worked full-time at USC and traveled on weekends.

This project helped my family buy our first home. After six years in Koreatown, LA, we finally had a place to call our own.

This wasn’t just a house—it was proof that persistence, faith, and sacrifice can turn dreams into reality.

Working Full-Time & Studying Full-Time

Education journey:

• Completed Associate Degree in IT
• Accepted to UCLA, USC, and DeVry University
• Chose DeVry—offered full-time weekend classes

The challenge: Working full-time while attending college full-time.

But I found a way: My midterm grades were excellent (Dean’s List), so my professors approved my request: I only needed to attend midterms & finals.

I could now balance IT, family, and school. My GPA at DeVry was 4.3.

Dedication to Family

My older kids were 9 and 10 years old (elementary school), and my youngest was 3 years old in a baby stroller. My wife would push the stroller while picking up the older kids from school.

Most of the time, I arrived just in time to pick them up and take them home before heading back to work. This was how I spent my lunch breaks—balancing work and family.

My drive for education, work, and family balance was a key part of my success.

Helping My Younger Brother Start His IT Career

Around this time, my younger brother was graduating from BYU-Hawaii, and I wanted to help him get his start in IT.

I encouraged him to take at least one IT subject. I recommended him for an OJT (On-the-Job Training) opportunity at GTE.

But GTE never processed his paperwork. Determined to help, I reached out to my former boss at USC.

“Would you allow my brother to do his OJT at USC?”

My former boss agreed. My brother was able to complete his OJT at USC and start his career in IT.

We both succeeded because we helped each other.

From USC to Corporate America – GTE & Huck International

By 1999, GTE (now Verizon) hired me on the spot.

I fixed a crashed Windows NT 4.0 system in front of a panel of four experts. I solved the issue in under 10 minutes.

By Y2K, I reached my dream of earning a six-figure salary—10x what the electronics company paid me.

My Role at Huck International:

• Infrastructure & Messaging Manager
• Managed IT in CA, WA, AZ, & NY
• Traveled weekly—Tucson, NY, CA, WA

I was living in the “friendly skies.”

My youngest son was born during this time—1999, the year Star Wars: Episode I was released.

Michael Jordan dominated the NBA that year, so we named him Michael.

The Lesson – If You Want It Bad Enough, You’ll Make It Happen

The electronics company told me there was no life outside of them. The hospital doctor told me I was too old. The IT industry told me I had no experience.

I proved them all wrong.

I became an IT professional. I worked for USC. I was hired on the spot by GTE (Now Verizon). I reached a six-figure IT role at Huck International (Alcoa). I led national IT rollouts. I bought a house through IT. I worked full-time while earning my degree.

Funny story:
When I became a U.S. Citizen, the judge asked for my father’s consent to change my name.

💬 “Your Honor, I’m 36 years old.”
💬 “Show me your ID. You don’t look 36!” 😂

If you’re facing rejection, remember:

• Your current situation is NOT your final destination.
• If one door closes, build your own door.
• Work, study, and never stop moving forward.

Because one day, you’ll look back and realize—it was all worth it.

In February 2001, I was ready for my next adventure—to become my own boss.

California Dreaming – Becoming My Own Boss & “Share the Load, Frodo”

From Employee to Entrepreneur – The Dream of Being My Own Boss

For years, I worked under companies—learning, growing, and proving myself. But deep inside, I knew I wanted more. I wanted freedom. I wanted to be my own boss.

So I took the leap.

I started my own IT consulting company, and I called it: “Share the Load, Frodo.”

Why? Because I knew how hard the IT journey was. And I wanted to help others carry the burden.

Building My Own Business – From Free Work to Big Clients

My first client? The city where I lived—firefighters and police officers.

Before securing a 9-year contract, I provided them free IT services to prove myself.

That led to:

• USC & USC/OBGYN (6 satellite offices)
• Perinatal healthcare clinics in Monterey Park, West Covina, and Pomona (where I set up a frame relay network)
• Claremont University (where I upgraded their email system)
• City Attorney’s Office (where I set up their LAN/WAN infrastructure)
• Law firms that introduced me to more legal & business clients

Each project expanded my network, bringing in more opportunities.

My business was growing—fast.

Taking IT Consulting to the Next Level – Making It a Corporation

With the support of mentors, colleagues, and my dedicated team, I made a strategic move to turn my IT consulting business into a corporation, ensuring long-term stability and operational efficiency.

This transition provided key financial and business advantages, including:

• Expanding the team by bringing on trusted family members, allowing them to contribute while maintaining financial sustainability.
• Optimizing business expenses through company-leased vehicles for work-related travel and client engagements.

With the steady income from retainers and IT maintenance contracts, my business was now self-sustaining.

This was the peak of my IT consulting career.

Legal Protection – Law Firm Clients Had My Back

I am deeply grateful for my law firm clients who extended their expertise, guiding me through the legal aspects of running a business. Their support played a pivotal role in structuring my company for long-term success.

At its peak, my IT consulting corporation was generating significant income, making these business advantages possible.

I wasn’t just working in IT anymore—I was running a business like a CEO.

Expanding to the Philippines – Internet Café & IT Training

My business didn’t just grow in the U.S.—I expanded internationally.

I introduced Internet Café services in my hometown in the Philippines.

Major Clients & Achievements:

• Sanyo Philippines became one of my clients.
• I flew multiple times a year to Manila for business.
• I established an office managed by my younger sister with:
  • A full-time developer
  • A PC support technician
  • A fully equipped computer lab
  • Small computer tutorial classes

Many of my students later became my competitors, which taught me a valuable lesson about business expansion.

At one point, I was flying from LAX to Manila on a Friday night, arriving Sunday morning, completing business, then flying back Sunday night and landing in LAX still on Friday.

The American Samoa Experience – Setting Up an ISP & Nearly Getting Detained

After working with a law firm, I was introduced to a major project in Pago Pago, American Samoa—setting up an ISP (Internet Service Provider).

I was also:

• A Fortinet Firewall reseller
• Outsourcing the manufacturing of computers & servers under my own brand
• With a dedicated team, we expanded the consulting business, collaborating on national projects that showcased our collective expertise.

At the peak of my consulting career, I was blessed with opportunities that allowed my family to live more comfortably. Looking back, the journey from humble beginnings to this moment was a powerful reminder that faith, effort, and perseverance can shape our future.

Embracing New Horizons

An opportunity to serve in Samoa broadened my perspective, teaching me invaluable lessons about adaptability and cultural appreciation.

The Airport Incident – Almost Getting Detained

When I arrived in Pago Pago, customs officers confiscated all my IT equipment.

I was detained and interrogated under suspicion of illegally bringing systems onto the island.

I offered silent prayers, knowing I had done nothing wrong.

Then, out of nowhere, the tribal chief’s son arrived at the airport.

“My father hired him!” he said.

Immediately, everything changed. Customs apologized, released my equipment, and even gave me a personal ride to my final destination.

Lesson learned: Even in U.S. territories, local laws and red tape can be a challenge.

VIP Business Perks – Law Firms, Local Government & Special Privileges

Through my IT work with the city, I earned the trust of local officials, which granted me unique responsibilities. These experiences reminded me that integrity and professionalism can open doors in ways I never expected.

It was an unexpected perk of working for local government IT!

Perks of International Business

Because of my work in American Samoa:

• I was rewarded with a bonus trip to Western Samoa
• I was given a paid helicopter tour of Maui, thanks to my connections with the tribal chief
• I was treated like family by my high-profile clients

During Christmas, I was invited to exclusive client parties, including extravagant celebrations hosted by law firms.

This was IT consulting at its peak.

I had built an international IT business, with connections across industries.

Back to Corporate America – Rediscovering My Strength

Back to Corporate America – Rediscovering My Strength

Then came the financial crash. It tested everything I had built. The business struggled, and I faced setbacks that were difficult to accept. Yet, through this challenge, I found renewed strength in my faith, realizing that resilience, not material success, defines true wealth.

But the industry was shifting. I had two choices:

1. Keep fighting a losing battle.
2. Return to corporate America.

I chose the second. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one. Stepping back into the corporate world allowed me to rebuild, refocus, and bring my expertise to larger enterprises. I knew that whatever success I had would only matter if it aligned with my values, my faith, and my commitment to doing good work with integrity.

I’m especially grateful to Payforward, LLC for believing in me—not once, but twice. Their trust reminded me that second chances are not just opportunities—they are sacred responsibilities. I carried this mindset into every project, always striving to serve rather than impress. They first hired me in January 2014, where I led the migration of their entire on-prem infrastructure to AWS. I designed and secured a highly available, multi-region environment using VPC, AWS GuardDuty, WAF, Cognito, and AWS Firewall. I deployed Exchange 2010 with Barracuda anti-spam for high availability, Cisco ACR, Cisco Umbrella, and implemented SIEM using Splunk. These implementations were critical in ensuring PCI-DSS and Hi-Trust audit compliance. All application servers were hosted on AWS, and my role was to secure them end-to-end.

My second stint with Payforward was a full-circle moment. I returned with an upgraded title—DevSecOps Engineer—bringing AWS certifications and continuing the work I had started.

Their trust reinforced my commitment to always deliver value—and reminded me that purpose-driven work is more rewarding than any title or paycheck.

Working for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was not just an IT job—it was a mission to support a global workforce of employees and 84,000+ missionaries across multiple data centers. My role involved managing a complex IT infrastructure spanning AWS, Azure, and Google Suite, ensuring seamless communication and system uptime.
This required leveraging Enterprise-level PowerShell automation and advanced APM tools like SolarWinds, Nagios, Datadog, and AppDynamics to monitor performance, maintain security, and proactively prevent downtime.
It was a role that demanded both technical expertise and a deep sense of purpose—knowing that the systems I maintained directly impacted missionary work and Church operations worldwide.

I accepted an offer from City National Bank, a leading financial institution in Downtown Los Angeles. My role involved managing their datacenter infrastructure, maintaining their Exchange On-Prem systems, optimizing Azure workloads, and overseeing enterprise monitoring solutions to ensure system reliability.
Working in the financial sector introduced me to high-stakes IT operations, where uptime and security were non-negotiable. It was an environment where every decision impacted millions of dollars in transactions daily, refining my expertise in mission-critical IT systems.

At Monster Energy Corporation, I managed email and endpoint systems for users across North America, APAC, and EMEA. Overseeing enterprise infrastructure, I worked with Cisco Meraki, VMware, AirWatch, and Veeam, supporting over 9,000 users worldwide. The fast-paced nature of a globally recognized brand required a high level of efficiency and precision in IT operations.

After recovering from a car accident, I transitioned into a new opportunity at a worldwide financial company, taking on the role of Senior Messaging Engineer. I supported over 1,500 users, managing enterprise mailboxes reaching nearly 1TB in size. Our operations spanned multiple datacenters with HP Moonshots, utilizing industry-leading APM tools such as Datadog, Dynatrace, Splunk, SolarWinds, AppDynamics, and ServiceNow.

I stayed there for nine months, grateful for the opportunity to work at an enterprise scale. When the layoffs came, I saw it not as an end, but as a redirection toward what was next.

A few days later, my phone rang. It was an unknown number—and I usually don’t answer those. But something whispered, “Take the call.”

It was a manufacturing company in Utah. The caller had found me through LinkedIn and Indeed. He interviewed me on the spot, then scheduled another Zoom interview three hours later. I passed that too. Then came a technical interview—again, I passed.

Over the next 24 hours, I spoke with three enterprise IT professionals from their parent company and passed each Teams interview. Later that same day, the CEO offered me the job.

“How soon can you get to Utah?” he asked.

“This weekend,” I said.

“No. I want you to start driving tomorrow.”

So I packed my car and left. While in Fillmore, Utah, I got a call from HR:

“Who told you to drive to Utah?”

It sounded like a mistake. I offered to turn back, but he paused, then said, “No—keep going. I’ll call you at 10 PM Utah time.”

By the time I arrived, the snowstorm had started. I nearly turned back. But the call came. I was asked to show up for a final interview in Salt Lake City the next morning.

Despite a blizzard that nearly caused a 360-degree spinout, I arrived on time.

I was ushered into a VIP interview room. The IT Manager and Security Engineer had flown in from Florida just to meet me.

The 90-minute interview was unlike any other. For once, I felt calm. Still. Answers flowed freely.

Then came the moment.

The IT Manager stood up and slammed my resume on the table.

“This resume is garbage.”

I stood up to leave, thinking the interview was over. But then he reached out, nearly hugging me, and said:

“You’re hired. You are what we’ve been looking for. You’re a people person.”

That night, my background check began. I started work the following Monday.

Later, I found out I was applicant number 2001. They had already selected two finalists. But somehow, they chose me.

It felt meant to be.

Looking back, I am truly grateful to the IT Manager and the team who flew from Florida just to interview me. Their tough approach wasn’t meant to break me—it was meant to see if I could handle the pressure. That experience reminded me that sometimes, challenges are disguised as opportunities, and humility is key in every step of the journey.

And yes, my PowerShell skills were repolished during this time—across both AWS and Azure.

If there’s one lesson to be learned from “My IT Journey,” it’s this:

Your beginnings do not define your destiny.
You can be knocked down, rejected, overlooked, or even told you’re “too old”—but if you keep working, keep learning, and keep believing, the doors will open.

Sometimes it won’t make sense. Sometimes it’ll hurt.
But if you don’t give up, God will take you exactly where you need to be.

From 12 years old to today, I have never stopped working.

• If I am sad and lonely, I work.
• If I am worried and fearful, I work.
• If I am discouraged and defeated, I work.

Reflecting on this journey, I am profoundly grateful for the challenges that shaped me and the unwavering support from those around me.

I wasn’t supposed to take the easy road. I was meant to work, struggle, grow, and build. Because that’s how I became who I am today.

It wasn’t easy. But it was worth it.

Not as an escape, but because work has shaped me. It’s in the struggle that I’ve found my strength. All I have and all I’ve become are because of the Lord’s grace. I’m not self-made—I’m Christ-made. I thank the Lord for guiding my steps—and for placing people and challenges in my life that helped refine me. What challenges have shaped your journey? I’d love to hear how perseverance and faith have played a role in your life.

Before I close, may I share a simple poem that reflects the journey I’ve walked:

Fifteen seconds—just enough time
To set the frame and run,
To face the wind, the weight, the dusk,
Before the shutter’s done.

There I stand—arms to the sky,
A silhouette in praise,
Not of triumph void of pain,
But of a soul that stays.

Since twelve, the burden’s been my own—
A cross I did not choose,
Worn soles, torn hands, and sleepless nights,
So much to bear… and lose.

But heaven never left my side,
Though storms would often blind,
And once, amid the quiet dark,
I found a gentle sign.

Not loud, not bold, not heaven-sent
With angels in a choir—
But soft, and calm, and earthly still,
Yet stirring soul and fire.

So here I am, beneath the sky,
The light behind the hill—
No longer begging life to stop,
But asking to be still.

Still enough to breathe again,
To trust the weight is known,
That God who sees the past and end
Will never leave me lone.

So I lift my arms—not to be seen,
But to surrender, still and free.
Fifteen seconds. One last frame.
And all I’ve borne still strengthens me.

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