Control, Alt, Succeed: A Cebuana IT professional’s quest to rewrite her path

Written by Darmae Tan, an SM Foundation scholar alumna, founder of MYT SoftDev Solutions and ErrandBoy.Ph

Darmae M. Tan,  a proud alumna of the SM Foundation scholarship program. She is the founder of Cebu-based ventures MYT SoftDev Solutions and ErrandBoy.Ph.

I am Darmae Maningo-Tan, a business owner, a lecturer, a loyal daughter, a devoted wife and mother. But before all that, I started out as a dreamer.  The SM Foundation College Scholarship Program gave me a chance to chase my dreams, and today, I hope my story will inspire others to never give up on their hopes and aspirations no matter the odds.

My tatay was a rank-and-file government employee and my mama was a freelance bookkeeper. Our family lived in a bustling urban poor community in Cebu. I am the second of four siblings and the eldest daughter. For as long as I can remember, I envisioned a better life for my family, which fueled my drive to succeed. 

I always viewed education as the key to lifting my family from poverty. But like many Filipino youth, the right to education is, more often than not, a fight. Finances were always the challenge, and scholarships were my lifeline.

I attended a private Catholic elementary school where I had to be top of my class to receive a full tuition waiver. I then applied to a national science high school and a state university high school for a chance at a free secondary education. All through my school years, I would rent second-hand textbooks, or even wake up at the crack of dawn for some peace and quiet to study. My circumstances never discouraged me from giving my best. I was determined to get a good college education so that I could get a well-paying job to support my family. 

Yet despite my dreams, it is ironic that one of the most discouraging points in my life was when I was told that I should not bother with a college degree because I am a woman, and I would eventually just be dependent on my husband. Looking back, I realize that this was probably because my parents could not afford to send me to college. But I refused to let this deter me, and my perseverance landed me an opportunity for a college education with the University of the Philippines, one of the premier education institutions in the country. 

Purely by chance, I saw a poster for the SM Foundation College Scholarship Program and decided to apply. This scholarship transformed my college experience. Without having to be a working student, I was able to join the theaters arts organization, volunteer programs, leadership and business summits, and even the student council – this all helped me to develop my full potential. 

Now, it’s my turn to pay it forward

SM Scholars unite. Darmae Tan at the 2024 SM Scholar Alumni Homecoming (center) with her fellow scholarship alumni (first row) P&A Grant Thornton’s partner Nikkolai Canceran, ADB consultant Erickson Quijano, (second row) Singapore-based software engineer Jeffry Manhulad, P&G IT director Albert Maquiñana, (third row) Engr. Angelo Tabuac, Dasmariñas City Public Schools District Supervisor Angelo Uy, and Pilipinas Shell CFO Rey Abilo

Fast forward to today, I am now an entrepreneur, as well as happily raising my two children with my supportive husband. Twelve years ago, I founded MYT SoftDev Solutions, focused on providing software solutions to businesses, and based on the philosophy of world-class quality software built by Filipinos, for Filipinos. I also founded and currently manage ErrandBoy.Ph, a courier and concierge service that was started during the pandemic to provide regular employment to displaced workers. 

My success would not have been possible without the SM Foundation College Scholarship Program. My experience as a recipient of this scholarship shaped my personal and professional values and instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude and purpose. This has been a driving force in my endeavors after graduating college. 

Aside from my entrepreneurial work, I am also a lecturer with UP Cebu, teaching Software Engineering and Management of Information Systems courses. I continue to be passionate about the pursuit of knowledge and the value of education, and created an internship program in my company called Module Zero, to mentor younger generations who want to start a career or business in IT. 

Errand boys. SM scholar-alumna Tan has been able to provide livelihood to Cebuanos during the height of the pandemic through the company she co-founded.

Through MYT SoftDev Solutions, I was also able to start my own scholarship program, currently providing financial assistance to 12 academic scholars and 10 student athletes. I hope to do for others what the SM Foundation did for me, jumpstarting my journey to success.

When I reflect on my life thus far, I realize that every challenge has helped shape the fulfilling life that I have now. I continue to struggle at times, and I am still far from where I want to be, but I have also reached far beyond what I used to dream of. All of this was possible because the SM Foundation College Scholarship Program gave me a chance, and it is my mission to continue the cycle of paying it forward - to bring positive change to the lives of Filipinos and our community.

SM Foundation College Scholarship Program alumna speaks at the 2024 Alumni Homecoming alongside fellow alumnus Pilipinas Shell CFO Rey Abilo. They inspired other former scholars with raw, powerful accounts of bouncing back from setbacks, proving that resilience is the fuel that powers dream-chasers.