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Fame

What do you do when you meet someone famous? Or what do you say when you actually get into an extended conversation over dinner with one?

Well, I didn't know but I can tell you that Butch and I met the "world famous" Filipino Boost C++ Library active contributor by the name of Joel de Guzman -- he's part of the prestigious Boost Consulting Group with no less than Dave Abrahams. If you're into C++, you should know Boost -- and when you get to know Boost, you're going to have to know these people.

I never thought talking about C++ (higher level stuff at that, template metaprogramming, library development, compile time voodoo) along with politics, life, and writing (and whether we should leave the Philippines or stay) was even possible. Hopping from topic to topic from his projects in the Boost C++ Library to GMA to possible collaborations really made my day yesterday. Of course, aside from all the other stuff that made my half day in Makati a great, exciting, productive, and oh so memorable indeed.

I certainly hope the community of software developers (not just C++ developers) in the Philippines will be able to connect with the world class talents that we have here in the Philippines embodied in people like Joel de Guzman. I'm really thankful coincidence (or call it fate/destiny) played a role in getting a lonely C++ developer like me in touch with someone worthy to be called a role model in my chosen field. I'm certainly hoping I can be able to help gather the developers in the open source side of things to meet this truly admirable person.

Amidst all the things happening in our country, now Filipinos have a new reason to be proud of our heritage. People like Joel do Guzman who carry the name of the Filipino nation to places where only a few Filipinos (if ever) have gone before (or even dared to go).

Mabuhay ang Filipino Open Source Developer.

CHill... :)

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