I'm Alex.

Twala is my magnum opus, where I’ve experienced the full spectrum of the startup world as both a co-founder and CTO. In this role, I’ve overseen everything from R&D and software development to team and company management, gaining invaluable insights into what it takes to build and scale a business. I’ve led the development of pioneering solutions in digital identity verification and document intelligence, while managing cross-functional teams to execute complex projects. Beyond the technical side, I’ve immersed myself in the broader startup ecosystem—pitching to investors, participating in startup accelerators, and competing in startup competitions. I’ve learned the intricacies of VC funding, startup growth stages, and how to navigate the challenges of scaling a tech company. Interacting with a diverse range of customers and clients, from local businesses to international corporations, and even government entities, has further enriched my experience. This role has been a journey of constant growth, not only in terms of technical expertise but also in leadership, business strategy, and innovation.

As the Head of Technology at Publicity for Good, I lead a multidisciplinary engineering team, overseeing backend, frontend, design, QA, and DevOps, while also playing a key role in the management team. I drive strategic decisions, manage development processes, and lead R&D efforts. A major accomplishment was leading the development of SignalRaptor, an AI-powered SaaS platform for public relations. By implementing advanced technologies like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Large Language Models (LLM), I significantly improved the product’s ability to generate high-quality, tailored PR content for clients.

As a Principal Software Engineer at AR Data Technologies, I am a core team member responsible for leading R&D efforts in AI and blockchain technologies. I guide the exploration and implementation of innovative solutions while mentoring team members to foster a collaborative environment. I also manage high-value projects, ensuring their successful delivery by balancing technical excellence and strategic objectives. Additionally, I spearhead company-led boot camps, mentoring and onboarding new developers into the rapidly evolving fields of AI and blockchain, contributing to their professional growth and expanding the company’s talent base.

As a Tech Lead at Web3 Philippines, a non-profit, developer-driven community, I am part of the core team working with domain experts passionate about shaping the future of blockchain innovation. My role involves fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among developers in the blockchain space, contributing to initiatives that drive blockchain technology forward, and supporting the growth of the blockchain ecosystem in the Philippines.

As a Software Engineer at Lilypad Network, I worked alongside the core team, including former Protocol Labs engineers, to develop a serverless, distributed compute network. Lilypad enabled internet-scale data processing, AI, machine learning, and other high-performance computations by unlocking idle processing power. My primary focus was on protocol-level development, specifically the rewards mechanism and proof-of-work submissions for resource provider nodes. I contributed to building a decentralized AI platform that harnessed distributed compute resources for high-performance tasks, including AI models like Stable Diffusion, helping to shape a new ecosystem for internet-scale computations.

As Co-founder and CTO of Vulcanic Labs, a tech consulting and solutions company specializing in blockchain projects, I led the entire engineering team across multiple client engagements. My role involved working closely with clients to define project roadmaps, budgets, and timelines, while also designing system infrastructures, databases, smart contracts, and processes tailored to their needs. I also spearheaded research and development efforts, with a focus on AI and blockchain technologies, driving innovation in the space and delivering cutting-edge solutions.

As the Blockchain & Backend Engineering Director at Polker, I led both the blockchain and backend engineering teams, driving technical decision-making in close collaboration with project stakeholders. I designed the server infrastructure, database architecture, and smart contract suite, while spearheading the development of the backend codebase. Additionally, I led the successful deployment of the project's token on both decentralized and centralized exchanges. My leadership extended to mentoring team members and overseeing the integration of various technologies, including payment gateways, oracles, and marketplaces, ensuring seamless interoperability within the platform.

At fastfwd, I contributed as a Senior Software Engineer to two distinct projects, each utilizing different technology stacks. One project centered on frontend development using React.js for an interior design platform, where I crafted dynamic and responsive user interfaces to enhance the user experience. The other project involved backend development using Laravel for an insurance company, where I designed scalable and efficient server-side solutions to meet complex business requirements. These roles sharpened my expertise in both frontend and backend technologies, enabling me to deliver robust, high-performance applications.

As Interim Chief Technology Officer at CryptoPays, I led the entire engineering team, overseeing frontend, backend, DevOps, and QA operations. CryptoPays is a cutting-edge crypto payment gateway that enables users to pay with cryptocurrency and receive payments in their local currency. I was responsible for designing the server infrastructure, developing smart contracts, and integrating the platform with banking systems, ensuring seamless transactions between crypto and fiat.

As the Senior Blockchain Developer at Appsolutely, I managed and developed the entire backend and infrastructure for various blockchain projects while also leading the smart contract development. I spearheaded the development of one of the first VASP-licensed ERC-20 tokens in the Philippines, playing a key role in pioneering the country’s blockchain landscape. My work also included designing liquidity pools, NFT marketplaces, and other decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions.

As a Senior Blockchain Developer at Winterwind Software Services, I worked on a blockchain-based gaming project that utilized both Ethereum and Tron networks for fungible (ERC-20) and non-fungible (ERC-721) tokens. I was responsible for developing and deploying smart contracts using Solidity, ensuring secure and efficient token interactions within the game ecosystem. This project provided me with hands-on experience in blockchain technology, contributing to my expertise in decentralized applications and token standards.

Following my work as a Senior Blockchain Developer, I was offered the position of Lead Developer at Winterwind Software Services. In this role, I managed three development teams working on three separate projects, ensuring the successful execution of project goals and maintaining a high standard of code quality. My responsibilities included overseeing project timelines, mentoring team members, and coordinating cross-team collaboration to deliver impactful solutions.

After the restructuring of New Oriental Club88 Corporation, I transitioned to Wtech Solutions Inc, where I took on a Senior Full Stack Developer role. In this position, I worked with Node.js and Express.js on the backend and Vue.js on the frontend, building efficient and scalable applications. I also began utilizing Docker and Kubernetes for containerization and orchestration, significantly improving our deployment processes. Additionally, I played an active role in designing databases and mentored junior developers, helping to elevate the overall technical capabilities of the team.

As a Full Stack Developer at New Oriental Club88 Corporation, I developed robust web applications using PHP frameworks such as Laravel and Lumen, and managed MySQL databases with master-slave replication for enhanced performance and reliability. I also used Vagrant to set up consistent local development environments and worked with WordPress for various web solutions. During this time, I gained a deeper understanding of system design patterns, which further refined my ability to create scalable and maintainable architectures.

I joined Accenture as an Associate Software Engineer after being selected as one of four students to represent my university in the Accenture Student Leadership program. At Accenture, I worked with SAP Ariba, managing source-to-pay processes such as supplier management and procurement. I also developed automation scripts using Python and Java, which streamlined team workflows. This role allowed me to enhance my communication and client-facing skills by working closely with system users, providing daily support, and resolving their concerns efficiently.

As a Web Developer intern at Vertiv, I contributed to the development of an internal system designed to track and manage electrical equipment and supplies. I played a key role in system design, helping to decouple core system components into separate, scalable services to improve overall performance and maintainability. Recognized as the most technically proficient intern, I also mentored fellow interns, assisting them in advancing their programming skills. During my internship, I worked extensively with ASP.NET MVC and Web Forms using C#, MS SQL, and MS Reporting Services, gaining valuable experience in full-stack development within a corporate setting.