About Me

Kia ora! I’m Merlyn, a recent graduate with a Master’s in Information Sciences from Massey University, now pursuing a career in web development. I bring over 17 years of experience in technical support and customer-facing roles, where I developed strong problem-solving skills, clear communication, and a user-focused mindset. These qualities now shape my approach to building intuitive, reliable software solutions.

My current focus is full-stack development, particularly using .NET Core with Domain-Driven Design (DDD) for the backend, and React (Next.js or Vite) for the frontend. I enjoy working in Agile environments and am passionate about building scalable, efficient, and user-friendly applications.

I was raised in Pangaleon, a rural community in Davao Occidental, Philippines, where my parents, both farmers, instilled in me the values of perseverance and dedication. These early experiences shaped my academic and professional journey. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Digos City, I moved to Cebu City to begin my career in the tech industry. Most recently, I relocated to New Zealand to expand my knowledge and stay aligned with modern development trends.

Coming from a place where mobile connectivity was a challenge, I bring a unique perspective as a developer. I understand that not all users are tech-savvy, and I aim to build solutions that are user-friendly, inclusive, and accessible to people from all walks of life.

I worked with a global web hosting provider, supporting US-based clients with website and server-related issues. This role gave me hands-on experience with web infrastructure, DNS, server configuration, and debugging, which helped build a strong foundation in technical operations and customer engagement.

Over the years, I’ve worked across various IT environments, gaining broad exposure to web hosting, support workflows, and customer-focused service. My postgraduate studies helped me bridge these experiences with modern software development. I’m excited to keep growing, learning and building modern applications that combine technical excellence with real-world problem solving.