09/11/2026
โญ๏ธBIDA NG BIYERNES (Friday Feature) โญ๏ธ
From moving to Canada to taking the stage as Valedictorian, Felixโs path through the School for Advanced Digital Technology shows what happens when grit meets curiosity. Graduating from SAIT with a Software Development Diploma, he didn't just master the code, he lifted up the people around him along the way through collaborative projects, hackathons, volunteer work, and connecting with his community. As a new school year kicks off and fresh faces dive into their first projects, Felixโs journey is proof that every tough problem is just a chance to build something awesome. Meet Felix Montanez!
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Full Name: Felix Montanez
Current Role/Title: Software Developer โ Data and Analytics
Company or Organization: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
LinkedIn Profile or Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felix-gabriel-montaรฑez/
Primary area(s) of expertise within Tech: Software Development, Data Science
How long have you been working in the tech industry? 1-3 Years
What initially sparked your interest in tech, and what significant steps or experiences led you to where you are in your career today?
My interest in tech started when I was a kid tinkering with old Samsung phones, especially the Galaxy Y. I would mod them, break things, try different software, and then figure out how to fix them again. That curiosity made me fall in love with tech
What are you currently working on or are most excited about in your current role and/or projects?
In my current role, I work on a lot of data engineering that supports the companyโs broader data analytics work. I help build and improve the data pipelines, processes, and systems that make information more reliable and usable for analysis. Many problems are challenging which make it very interesting and more exciting to actually solve
What is one piece of advice you would give to other Filipino professionals looking to enter or grow in the tech industry in Calgary or elsewhere?
One thing that really helped me when I came to Canada was volunteering. I didnโt know many people in the tech community, so volunteering gave me the chance to meet great people and learn from them. My advice is to be proactive, put yourself out there, and take action because opportunities often come from the people and experiences you encounter along the way.
If your company was a type of animal, what would it be and why?
Iโd say De Havilland would be a beaver. The DHC-2 Beaver is one of its most iconic aircraft and a real workhorse known for its versatility and impact in aviation. The beaver itself is hardworking and very Canadian, which feels like a simple and fitting match for the company.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the Filipino tech community in Calgary through this feature?
In the short time Iโve been in Canada, Iโve been happy to see Filipino hospitality and kindness thriving here. You constantly hear stories about how welcoming and hardworking Filipinos are, and Iโm proud to see that reflected in Calgaryโs tech community. Itโs a privilege to carry that forward and represent it here in my own way.
