About

I'm Christian Sarabia — a Filipino software engineer based in Melbourne, Australia.

I grew up in Novaliches in the Philippines, went through UP Integrated School, and studied Computer Science at Ateneo de Manila University, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude, Rank 1, with the St. Ignatius Award — the university's highest honour for academics, service, and character. I moved to Melbourne in late-2024 and started at Microsoft.

Before Melbourne, I had a return offer from Citi — a selective Management Trainee leadership program at a Fortune 500 company operating in 160+ countries. I had a network I'd built over four years, a brand people knew, and trust earned across 60+ organisations I'd consulted for. I turned all of it down to move here.

That's the résumé version. Here's the real one.

So when I arrived in Melbourne, I knew what I'd given up. What I didn't know was that it would take 700 rejections before someone said yes. I applied everywhere — corporate, retail, anything — because sometimes you just have to start somewhere. For seven months I sent applications, attended networking events, volunteered everywhere, and kept hearing no. There was a point where I genuinely felt like none of what I'd built back home mattered here.

I worked weekends at Kariton, a Filipino-inspired gelato shop, and found a piece of home in it. I found community through PinoyTech Victoria, FCCVI, and UP Alumni Victoria — people who were also starting fresh, who understood what the transition actually felt like. That support didn't just keep me going. It shaped what I want to do with whatever opportunities I eventually get.

Microsoft came unexpectedly. If you'd told me in high school that I'd work there, I would have said "not possible." But I'm here now — and the 700 rejections are part of why I take the work seriously and why I don't take my position for granted. I could have taken the safer road. I'm glad I didn't.

That's why community work isn't a side thing for me. PinoyTech Victoria, mentoring, the Early-in-Career program at Microsoft — these aren't extracurriculars. I know what it's like to feel purposeless when no one is accepting you. If I can shorten that road for someone else, that's the point.

I care a lot about what I do, and I follow through. I'm at my best when the work matters, when I'm collaborating with people I respect, and when there's room to have fun while doing it. I learn quickly, I love being in service, and I don't take myself so seriously that I can't laugh in the middle of a hard problem.

I'm interested in a lot of things — AI, personal finance, running, perfumes, photography, philosophy, urban development. I don't think interests need to justify themselves. Some of them will turn into something. Most of them just make life more interesting.