Before the algorithms, before the regional finals, there was a curious kid peeking over his siblings’ shoulders at a dusty computer in an internet café. Years later, that same curiosity and grit would lead to a win that put the Philippines on Southeast Asia’s AI map.
Blix Foryasen, a fourth-year computer science student from National University, was named champion of the AWS AI League, a regional competition hosted by Amazon Web Services that drew over 1,300 student participants across Southeast Asia.
Representing the Philippines, he rose through weeks of eliminations to claim the top spot in a field dominated by highly skilled peers from across the region.
“When I was in Singapore, I felt like I was carrying the hopes of other young Filipino tech talents,” Foryasen said.
The competition challenged participants to build, train, and deploy AI models using tools like Amazon SageMaker JumpStart, testing not only technical knowledge but also real-world application and model interpretation.
It was a battle of algorithms, but also a test of clarity and vision.
For Foryasen, the path to that moment was never linear. It began with curiosity, but required persistence, sacrifice, and the quiet decision to keep going, especially in a world where not everyone around him understood the world of code he was so drawn to.
From computer shops to the cloud
Foryasen didn’t grow up with access to the latest technology.
His journey started in internet cafés, where he spent hours watching his older siblings play games. Those early exposures sparked a deeper curiosity, not just about how to play, but about how things worked under the hood.
“Gamer na talaga ako when I was a kid. ‘Yung mga kapatid ko dinadala ako sa comp shop kahit patago,” he said.
What began as gaming became a fascination with the mechanics behind the screen. However, access was a major limitation.
Moreover, he didn’t have a computer at home, and technology wasn’t something actively encouraged in his household. His family had other plans for him, paths more traditional, and supposedly more stable.
“Even though I wanted to explore or code as early as possible, ‘di ko magawa kasi ‘di naman ako tech expert. Hindi naman sa hindi accessible, but hindi patok yung tech. Well, at least sa culture ng family ko.”
Still, the interest didn’t go away. He decided early on that he wanted to turn this quiet passion into something more. That resolve led him to pursue computer science in college, where, for the first time, he had both the tools and the space to dig deeper.
“Thanks to college, parang I was able to heal my inner child. I finally had the equipment to explore,” he said.
And explore he did. What once seemed like an unreachable dream became the foundation of the work that would one day earn him a championship title and a platform.
Winning with more than code
The AWS AI League blends competition with training, giving participants practical skills in model fine-tuning, customization, and prompt engineering for building generative AI solutions.
For Foryasen, the path began with the AWS Cloud Clubs Philippines, which actively promoted the competition and opened it to students beyond formal tech organizations.
“They encouraged many students, even those not part of AWS organizations, to join for the experience and opportunity,” he said.
And for the Filipino student, the opportunity felt exciting, but also daunting.
The competition unfolded over several weeks, each round growing in complexity. Students were expected not only to build and deploy AI models, but to demonstrate an understanding of their architecture, data quality, and real-world reliability.
He recalled a variant of a commonly used test prompt: “How many letter E and A are there altogether in the phrase ‘ASEAN Impact League’?”
It sounds simple, but it stumped many early versions of large language models (LLMs), which tend to hallucinate when doing basic arithmetic or character counting.
For the student champion, it was a key insight that AI isn’t infallible. Even the most advanced systems are capable of making mistakes, especially in cases where logic and language intersect.
The moment reflected something Foryasen had observed repeatedly: confidence doesn’t equal correctness.
“Meron talagang importance ‘yung human oversight in terms of accuracy of our models. We’re already in the age of agentic AI, but human oversight is important. Humans need to make sure if there’s bias,” he said.
Ironically, the AI judge gave Blix one of his lowest scores. It was the human panel that fully recognized his approach and awarded him top marks.
In that contrast, his core belief was validated. AI may assist, but people still carry the final responsibility.
Carrying the flag
Competing in Singapore, Foryasen found himself surrounded by top-tier talent from across the region. But rather than feeling intimidated, he felt a deep sense of duty.
He wasn’t just representing himself or his school; he was representing the Philippines.
Furthermore, Foryasen believes the Philippines has always had strong tech talent. It’s the access and visibility that’s been lacking.
He hopes that his victory can help change that narrative, opening doors for others and showing the world what Filipino students are capable of.
“The PH tech talent we have can compete with other ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and possibly also in the global stage when it comes to AI and tech.”
At the heart of this belief is experience. He’s seen fellow Filipino students face barriers, not of intelligence, but of opportunity.
By bringing home the crown, Foryasen hopes to inspire both his peers and the institutions that support them. His message is clear; invest in Filipino talent, and the results will speak for themselves.
What comes after the crown
With the competition behind him, Foryasen is now focused on what lies ahead. As a graduating senior, his schedule is packed with thesis work and academic commitments but he hasn’t ruled out joining the global round at AWS re:Invent.
“Actually, I will be pushing through if ever there will be a grand final sa AWS re:Invent. But personally, I’d focus more on community building as well,” he said.
His goal now is to share what he’s learned with others. He wants to make resources available, teach younger students about AI fundamentals, and help others navigate competitions like the one he just won.
Long-term, Foryasen sees himself exploring a mix of research, internships, and AI applications in business. He’s curious about how his skills can be translated into real-world solutions, not just theory, but impact.
“I plan to continue exploring whether through research or internships. I look forward to other spaces like businesses, where I can apply my skills in AI.”
But through it all, his north star remains the same, which is to build AI that benefits people, systems, and communities not just models.
“I advocate for AI. For good and responsible AI, ” he said.
