“An Act Protecting Individual Personal Information in Information and Communications Systems in the Government and the Private Sector, Creating for This Purpose a National Privacy Commission, and for Other Purposes” — under Republic Act No. 10173 from the Philippine Gazette (https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/08/15/republic-act-no-10173/) — was shared with us for the second time before the facilitator started his class. This made me reflect on the provisions, articles, and penalties if one is proven guilty by the court. I was alerted and warned; my mind woke up, and I began to take this law seriously. At that moment, I also remembered Republic Act No. 386 (https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1949/06/18/republic-act-no-386/), “An Act to Ordain and Institute the Civil Code of the Philippines.” Under Article 3, “Ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith.” Furthermore, the law was created on August 15, 2012. If we consider Article 2 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, it states that “Laws shall take effect fifteen days following the completion of their publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, unless otherwise provided.” Sadly, it is now 2025, and the aforementioned law was published more than a decade ago, with the requisite fifteen days having passed as per Article 2.
It’s Saturday, September 20, 2025, and the second meeting is being held at the Information Technology building on the second floor. The facilitator discussed the importance of early-stage planning in order to complete our master’s degree within two years. There are numerous software tools available that can assist in this process. Personally, I plan to use a Gantt Chart to track my progress over time.
To be honest, I do not expect to graduate within two years because I did not take a full course load this semester. I need to balance my responsibilities as a father, student, and employee. This balancing act can be quite challenging, and I often find myself stretched thin. Reflecting on the facilitator’s message, I realize that it encourages me to think differently about my situation. Accepting the possibility of not graduating in two years can lead to a stagnant mindset. However, if I shift my perspective to focus on the goal of completing the program in two years, my mind will begin to generate strategies for achieving that goal. For example, I can consider taking the subjects I missed this semester, which will help me catch up. Additionally, I need to push myself to study consistently, as I have a strong aversion to falling behind in my coursework. Effective time management and scheduling are crucial steps I can take to move forward. Moreover, I might explore study groups or seek support from peers who are in a similar situation. Utilizing resources offered by the university, such as the library or academic advising, can also provide me with guidance and help me stay on track. In conclusion, while the path to completing my master’s degree may be challenging, adopting a proactive and positive mindset will empower me to find solutions and stay committed to my goals.
Change your mindset, as the facilitator emphasized. Do not wait until you finish your academic subjects and pass the comprehensive examination before you start thinking about and working on your Capstone project. Your time is limited, and one of the key lessons I’ve learned is that a lack of time is one of the main reasons projects fail. As early as today, begin brainstorming ideas for your Capstone project, prepare your mind, and conduct your research. Act as if you have already passed your academic subjects and comprehensive examination to motivate yourself to work on your Capstone project. Honestly, when I entered this Master’s program, my focus was solely on the academic subjects and the comprehensive exam. I thought, “Why should I think about the Capstone project? I still have two years before I need to tackle that.” However, my mindset changed that day when the facilitator spoke. He is correct. His years of experience as a project manager have led him to this conclusion, and he conveyed it with confidence. I could see it in his eyes; he wanted us to absorb this information, but he also recognized that we are already professionals and need to change our perspectives independently. Time is our enemy, and it is one of the reasons you might fail in your Capstone subject. Haven’t you experienced this in your profession? I certainly have. When I rush to make critical changes to meet a deadline, it often leads to outages or problems. Yet, when I take my time and approach tasks methodically, the process runs smoothly.
The facilitator emphasized that education does not solely come from the classroom, and I wholeheartedly agree! Personally, I was not a good student in my earlier years; I often chose to play computer games and skip classes. I failed subjects, and I admit that. I am not afraid of failure; it has been a recurring experience in my life. Nowadays, education transcends textbooks and professors; it can come from various avenues in life. Some lessons stem from our mistakes, others from the errors of others, and some from difficult experiences with loved ones. I learned this the hard way. Through my life and work experiences, I have humbly accepted the sometimes shameful comments from my peers. But I never stopped. I worked hard, learned continuously, and studied on my own until I reached my current position, which I can proudly share with others. This journey has provided for my family. I obtained my associate certifications from a network vendor through self-study and practical experience. My recent award from the company is a testament to my growth, and none of these achievements came from textbooks or traditional classes. They stemmed from experiences outside the classroom, just as the facilitator emphasized. In conclusion, it is crucial to adopt a proactive mindset when it comes to your education and professional development. Embrace the lessons learned from both successes and failures, and remember that true education often happens beyond the confines of the classroom. By taking initiative and seizing opportunities to grow, you can pave the way for a successful future.
The facilitator began by asking the class to identify who was assigned as our Project Manager, as well as the team members responsible for the various knowledge areas, including Integration Management, Scope Management, Schedule Management, Cost Management, Quality Management, Resource Management, Communications Management, Risk Management, Procurement Management, and Stakeholder Management. During this discussion, we also reviewed a progress report and a Gantt chart to understand how the project timeline was being tracked. The facilitator then directed our attention to the university website, explaining how it was developed through the application of these knowledge areas. The entire computing class acted as on-the-job trainees (OJT), contributing significantly to the website’s completion. The facilitator initially laid out the project groundwork and shared the project plan, but ultimately, the students were given full responsibility for finalizing the project. The website serves as a vital platform, providing critical information to students, faculty members, and the broader university community.
Looking ahead to the Capstone Project, the facilitator shared a simple yet powerful message that deeply resonated with me and shifted my perspective on completing my Master’s program. Starting this first semester of the 2025-2026 school year, I must begin preparing for my capstone project. This means carefully selecting a topic that will create a meaningful impact on society, businesses, and government. Although the topic I’m considering does not directly relate to my current field, one of the reasons I pursued this Master’s degree is to challenge myself to explore, develop, and gain experience in other domains—particularly those involving databases and programming. I have ample time to plan ahead, gather the necessary information, and acquire the skills required to successfully complete the project. By utilizing project management tools, I can effectively map out the timeline and milestones for each phase of the project. The topic I am considering focuses on blockchain technology. I recognize that this field demands thorough research and hands-on experience, and that the learning curve will be steep. However, I believe that successfully completing this project will have a meaningful impact, benefiting educational institutions, government agencies, and the private sector alike. In the end, I am confident that the effort and sacrifice will be well worth it.
Consulting with my advisor about the topic is an important step in the preparation process. However, I can postpone this for now since the subject is scheduled for next year’s enrollment. Meanwhile, I need to gain a clear understanding of the specific guidelines, formatting requirements, and expectations for the capstone project. These details will be provided by the regulatory body of the school during the graduate school orientation day. To structure my project effectively, I will follow a standard outline format, which generally includes sections such as the introduction, background, literature review, methodology, data analysis, results, discussion, and conclusion. Breaking down my capstone into smaller, manageable tasks with deadlines for each will help me stay organized and on track. It’s also crucial that I begin the research process as early as possible. This involves gathering, collecting, and organizing relevant research materials, like academic articles and data. I have already started exploring existing research on blockchain technology in the university library, but so far, I have found very little. The librarian kindly assisted me by searching the database on her computer, but unfortunately, there were no relevant materials available. I plan to try researching again in the coming week or so to see if anything new turns up. To maintain focus throughout the process, I will keep all my research materials, drafts, and notes organized in a consistent system. Finally, I will plan out the tasks I need to complete in the next days and weeks — for example, conducting further research or beginning to write the background section.
At the company where I am currently working, each domain or team—such as Network, System, Telecom, and Data—has its own Chief Architect. These individuals specialize in their respective domains and bring years of experience to their roles. They are primarily involved in designing solutions based on client requirements. Once the designs are approved, they assign the detailed requirements specifications to our team for implementation. The company follows the ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework, which is a globally recognized set of best practices for IT service management. Within this framework, the Change Leader plays a key role. The Change Leader’s team manages request tickets, assigns them to the appropriate teams for execution, and oversees the necessary approvals from the business or clients before any changes are implemented. Additionally, this team handles incident tickets that arise daily, ensuring that any issues are tracked and resolved promptly. They also produce a Reason for Outage (RFO) report, which explains the cause of an incident, the actions taken to resolve it, and recommendations to prevent similar problems in the future.
In our field, combining Hardware (HW) and Software (SW) forms the foundation of Information Technology (IT). Think of it like a simple mathematical theorem—though not really part of mathematics! This analogy helps explain the relationship between the components in an easy-to-understand way for people who may only see the “tip of the iceberg.” Hardware includes everything physical that you can see—such as cabling, agent computers, servers, telecom equipment, and network devices. Software refers to the programs and applications running on these devices, except for cabling, which doesn’t require software since it operates on physical connections at Layer 1 of the OSI model.
The combination of Hardware (HW), Software (SW), and Peopleware (PW) makes up what we call an Information System (IS). In other words, IS = HW + SW + PW. Having worked in IT for quite some time now, I’ve come to fully appreciate this concept. It’s true—beyond the technology itself, there are the people behind the scenes who give instructions, engage in discussions and decision-making, approve IT project budgets, and push to ensure projects are completed on time. Peopleware, the human element of an information system, often involves leadership. Leadership is the ability to influence, guide, and motivate a group of people toward a shared vision or common goal. It includes setting clear objectives, providing direction, fostering collaboration, and empowering others to reach their full potential. Leadership is not confined to formal titles or positions, nor is it bound by strict rules. Instead, effective leaders embody qualities such as self-confidence, strong communication skills, empathy, decisiveness, and a willingness to take risks and adapt to change. Leaders inspire and encourage people to perform their work effectively. They guide and support those who must make challenging decisions. They also foster an environment where teamwork thrives and everyone’s expertise is leveraged. Good leadership focuses on unlocking the potential in others and nurturing their growth. Although I do not hold a formal leadership position in my company, I actively apply leadership skills with my colleagues. I offer words of encouragement to inspire them in their work, assist them with technical challenges, and share lessons learned from my own mistakes and experiences—helping them avoid pitfalls that could negatively impact the business. I often remind them that I once stood in their shoes and that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and growth. Effective leaders are honest and trustworthy, earning the confidence of their teams. While I may not always be the most concise communicator, I make a sincere effort to coordinate team efforts to resolve problems. Key characteristics of effective leadership include the ability to make thoughtful decisions, understand and empathize with others, embrace challenges, and take calculated risks. These qualities are essential in guiding a team toward success.
Management, on the other hand, involves controlling and coordinating activities based on the specific roles and job descriptions of people within an organization. It is the process of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling resources and activities to achieve defined goals efficiently and effectively. Managers play a crucial role in coordinating the efforts of team members and ensuring that resources are used optimally to meet objectives. Effective management requires a range of skills, including planning, communication, productivity monitoring, and adaptability, among others. Managers set clear objectives, establish priorities, organize tasks, monitor performance, and ensure that everyone complies with organizational policies and standards. In my current role, I do not hold a formal managerial position with authority to control day-to-day tasks or monitor overall performance. However, I am responsible for managing the on-call schedule for our team, particularly overseeing the weekly standby support rotation, which includes weekends—especially Saturdays and Sundays. My manager delegated this responsibility to me, likely to help lighten his workload as the team manager. In essence, I manage the global monthly on-call rotation for our team. When someone on the on-call roster is unavailable due to personal reasons, I coordinate with other colleagues to arrange schedule swaps and ensure coverage. Beyond this task, I don’t have any other formal management responsibilities or skills that I currently apply in my job.
One important lesson that has resonated deeply with me was shared by a facilitator: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” This means that without proper preparation, failure is almost inevitable. Conversely, thorough planning sets the foundation for success. This lesson strongly impacted my perspective, and it is something I am committed to carrying forward in my personal and professional life.