Fil Heinz O. Re La Torre
I make machines do the tedious stuff so humans can take the credit.
Background
2025
Last Day
I still remember the long nights moving between the hardware labs and the code editors. This walk across the stage at TUP was the finish line for all those years spent learning how things work from the inside out. It wasn’t just about the degree; it was the moment I realized I was finally ready to build.
2023 - 2024
Computer room days
A grainy throwback to a college lecture hall. I remember sitting in the dim glow of that projector, staring at "Feature extraction" and feeling equal parts confused and electrified. It wasn’t glamorous—just pure, unfiltered learning, and the moment I realized I wanted to build things that could "think."
2023 - 2024
Synthetic urine!
Software is only as good as the data it receives. Here, I was fine-tuning the hardware-software handshake for my Intelligent Catheter Monitoring System. It’s a reminder that the best solutions often start with a messy desk, a lot of synthetic urine (no kidneys were harmed in this photo), and a drive to solve real-world healthcare challenges.
2019
PCB Layout
There’s something quietly nostalgic about this PCB layout—printed sheets, traced paths, and the slow, careful process of turning an idea into something physical. During a high school electronics project, this board represented more than a grade; it was an introduction to thinking in systems, where every line mattered and a single mistake could break the whole flow. The patience it demanded, the trial-and-error, and the anticipation of powering it on mirror the same feelings many of us first had when learning how things work beneath the surface.
2018
League of Legends
This image takes me back to a time when curiosity mattered more than skill. Long before I understood frameworks or architecture, I was deeply immersed in League of Legends. Not just playing it, but quietly admiring how everything on the screen came together. For a simple computer class project, I recreated that world using nothing but HTML and CSS, building a static site inspired by the game I loved.
2004
Look at that smile!
There’s a quiet kind of joy in this photo—a grin that feels unguarded, held safely in my father’s arms, clutching a toy like it was the most important thing in the world. Long before deadlines, code reviews, or late-night debugging, there was simply curiosity and the comfort of being supported while exploring it.
Interests
Gaming
My gaming journey started young with the twitch reflexes of Counter-Strike and followed me across platforms, moving from Xbox 360 to PC just to experience GTA 5 in its full glory. Gaming became a crucial lifeline during the pandemic through endless rounds of PUBG, and today. Whether I'm clutching a round in Valorant or playing with my friends in League of Legends.I always come back to my keyboard with a fresh perspective and a clear head.
Filming
There’s something about being behind a camera that just clicks for me. Whether I’m the DP setting up a shot or the editor piecing it all together, I’ve always been obsessed with how a certain angle or a quick cut can completely change the "vibe" of a story. These awards are from a project called "LOUIE," where we spent way too many hours chasing the perfect lighting and the right rhythm in the edit.
Photography
During the pandemic, when the world felt like it was on pause, I picked up my camera to find a bit of life in the streets. This shot was all about the timing—nailing that perfect panning motion to make a single moment feel like it's moving a hundred miles an hour. It’s still my favorite way to clear my head; just me, the lens, and the challenge of catching a fleeting second before it’s gone.
Kape ta!
For me, coffee is less about the caffeine and more about the connection. "Kape ta!" is the universal signal to drop everything and catch up on life for a few hours. Whether we're trying out a new aesthetic ube latte or sticking to the classics, these coffee runs are where the best stories happen and the loudest laughs are shared. It’s my favorite way to slow down and stay grounded with the people who matter most.
Vision
“Learning how the markets work so I can start growing my savings.”
“Building something that genuinely helps and impacts people's lives.”
“Getting into the flow and finally shipping those upcoming projects.”
“Building a better workstation once the price of parts finally drops.”
“Seeing the world and making memories with my family by my side.”
“Building and launching a SaaS company right here in the Philippines.”
“Grateful for today, but ready for whatever's coming.”
“Keeping my body and mind right so I can keep showing up.”