From Hackathon to Certifications: A Milestone Month in Tech

Blockchain hackathon in UCSP
Image of Franco Aurellano
Divino Franco R. Aurellano
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•2 min read

This month was so active, I can say. I became 1st Runner‑Up at the Quantum Computing and Blockchain Hackathon 2025 — our very first hackathon experience, competing alongside brilliant student innovators from across Bicol.

Second, I earned the GitHub Administration certification and AI‑900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (which I’ll also write about in a separate blog).

Third, I attended webinars hosted by various tech communities, and also had the opportunity to host a campus webinar on GitHub Education for fellow students at CSPC.

And lastly, I proudly graduated as a scholar at ULAP.org.

🚀 Building Momentum

For the past months, I’ve been in a strong momentum of upskilling in tech. I spent time reading, doing labs in Microsoft Learn, and applying lessons in school. My focus was clear: prepare and succeed in certifications.

When I heard about the hackathon, I didn’t hesitate to join. Even though I had little background in blockchain, I reminded myself that I also started with no background in cloud and GitHub administration — yet I managed to learn, adapt, and succeed. The same fundamentals of programming and problem‑solving apply, and with AI tools to leverage, we found ways to accelerate our learning.

🧩 The Hackathon Experience

Our prototype, Cupcake Blockchain, was designed as a solution for enterprise‑level file security, integrity, and verification. Despite the steep learning curve, we grasped the basics of blockchain, brainstormed practical use cases, and built a working prototype in a short period of time.

I’m grateful to have collaborated with my teammates: Jayson Asiado, Gian Carlo Bata, Mark Wayne Cleofe, and Jayp Bazar. Special thanks to the Quantum Computing Society of the Philippines and the sponsors for making the event possible.

🌟 Reflections

Looking back, June 2025 wasn’t just about achievements — it was about proving to myself that growth comes from stepping into the unknown. Certifications, hackathons, webinars, and scholarships all became milestones that shaped my journey.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. Enough to remind me that persistence pays off, that learning never stops, and that opportunities open when you dare to try.