A student called me on my mobile earlier this afternoon asking me about my contribution to the internet and my personal history as part of her course work. So in the spirit of helping people out here’s some facts about me.
I’m Michael Angelo G. Mamaril, 26 yrs old, single but with a 32 month old daughter…. a web developer/designer, father, and running enthusiast.
My interest in computers started back in 2nd high school when I taught myself basic HTML scripting in GeoCities. After graduating high school I enrolled myself in Informatics Computer Institute in SM Fairview and took up their 2 year Bachelor of Computer Science course majoring in Multimedia. I was awarded a scholarship in my first year of schooling and was followed by a job offer from C.A.L. (Computer Aided Learning) to train high school teachers in St. Anothny University.
After taking the teaching job, I then proceeded to halt my studies and started to work for different companies for short periods of time. By 21 I decided to do freelance work full time; I started doing course work and thesis papers for students until I managed to get some small local clients. Eventually I was able to build my connections and skill level to a point were I was able to acquire foreign clients.
As part of my endeavor to get my name out in the industry, I joined several award giving competitions and actually won once in the 10th Philippine Web Awards in 2007 for my entry Project Typecast… I was also a finalist in the 11th Philippine Web Awards in 2008.
Now I work full time as a web developer for several clients overseas, I do freelance work for local clients and I also write for advertisers on my journal/blog. I devote my spare time to studying and applying what I’ve learned to my personal sites which have evolved with me through the years.
Workout after work
I would like to think that I have contributed to the local web developing scene: in my teaching stint back in college; By constantly inspiring peers and strangers alike to develop and design innovative and creative web based projects; By giving jobs to my peers and referring excess work I get from my client base in the hopes that it will provide a means of income and perhaps an alternative career; By breaking the stereo type that nerds/geeks have to look scrawny, fat, or simply unattractive.
I advocate physical health to my peers as much as I do web development and design. Despite the time constraints of our line of work, it is still feasible to be physically fit.
Looking back, it’s been quite a ride. From my grand mothers Intel Pentium III 533Mhz in my small room (in my grand mother’s house), to my Intel Q9550 in my own condominium unit. I sure have come along way since then, though I am still far away from what I want to achieve in life… thankfully I am still young.
