The ILOVEYOU hacker, who once disabled global networks, settled for fixing phones in Quiapo

Global hacker turned phone technician.

Onel de Guzman once shut down global systems by creating the ‘I Love You Virus’ that reached millions of computers around the world. Today, he is 50 years old and working at a small phone repair shop in Quiapo.

On May 4, 2000, people received an email with an attachment entitled LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU. It contained malicious code that would steal the computer’s files and passwords. As the virus rapidly spread, it was traced back to its creator, Onel, a computer science student at AMA Computer College, who was experimenting with code. At a time when the internet was relatively new, his code broke through thousands of global companies’ private data.

The hacker’s quiet retirement

He did not face legal consequences in the aftermath because there weren’t any existing laws in the Philippines against computer hacking. However, in his shame, he took a year off from school after the incident and refused to use a computer. He never graduated from AMA and ended up as a phone technician.

In a past interview, he shared that he is content with the work he does now. However, this drastic switch sparked discussion with netizens on wasted potential. Many argue that, given the right education, he could have used his skills to create something meaningful. One user shared, “Yung thought na you could’ve been great but can’t self-actualize because you’re born in the Philippines.”

Others, however, say that it was ultimately his choice not to pursue a career in coding following the incident.

 

 

His story remains a central point of debate regarding lost opportunities and the consequences of a digital experiment that went too far.

 

 

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