Web Developer · Builder · Philippines
from saas tools and custom web apps to wordpress and shopify — i design, build, and deploy products that solve real problems for real businesses.
/services
Full-stack web applications built for scale. I handle everything — architecture, APIs, databases, authentication, dashboards, and deployment. Built to grow with your business, not just launch once and be forgotten.
Custom-coded websites with no page builders, no bloated templates. Fast, accessible, and responsive — built exactly to your brief. Whether a landing page or a full marketing site, I build it right the first time.
WordPress and Shopify builds that are actually a pleasure to manage. Custom themes, plugin development, headless CMS setups, and e-commerce configs that give you full control without the headaches.
Connecting your tools, automating your workflows, and eliminating manual work. If two systems should talk to each other, I make it happen — reliably, and in a way that won't break at 2am.
Beyond writing code. I help founders figure out what to build, how to prioritise, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes that slow early products down. Practical, opinionated, grounded in real build experience.
/work
A platform connecting Filipino freelancers with clients across industries. Talent discovery, project listings, and a streamlined hiring flow built specifically for the Philippine market.
An internal social media management and scheduling tool powering NerdVine's content pipeline. Multi-platform publishing and queue management built on real-time job processing.
A fully custom Shopify storefront with a bespoke theme, metafield-driven product pages, upsell logic, and a streamlined checkout — built to convert, not just display.
A fully custom WordPress theme built from scratch — no page builders, no bloat. Fast-loading, accessible, and easy for the client to manage from day one.
/how i work
We start with a clear conversation — what you're building, who it's for, and what success actually looks like. No templates, no generic questionnaires. Just a focused discussion that sets the direction.
Before a single line of code gets written, we agree on the architecture, user flows, and visual direction. I think through edge cases upfront so you're not paying to fix them later.
I build in short cycles with regular check-ins. You see real progress throughout — not a big reveal at the end. Feedback loops are tight, and the direction stays aligned.
Deployment is handled, tested, and documented. After launch, I'm still around — whether that's fixing unexpected issues, training your team, or scoping what comes next.
/what people say
Michael has a rare ability to understand both the technical and business sides of a problem. He delivered a full web application in a fraction of the time I expected — and it actually worked the way we planned.
Working with Michael was seamless. He set up our entire Shopify store with custom features our previous developer said couldn't be done. Clear communication throughout.
If you need someone who can see a project through from idea to launch — Michael is that person. Reliable, technically sharp, and great at communicating throughout the whole process.
/frequently asked
/writing
May 2026
From manual posting to a fully-automated multi-platform queue — here's how the SocialVine publishing engine works under the hood.
Read article →April 2026
Undercharging is a habit, not a rate. Here's how to break out of the race to the bottom and position your work at the rate it deserves.
Read article →March 2026
The "WordPress is dead" crowd hasn't built enough client sites. Here's an honest breakdown of when CMS is the right tool and when it isn't.
Read article →/about
i'm michael abella — a web developer and builder based in the philippines. i've spent years turning ideas into working software, from freelance projects to full-scale platforms.
i started nerdvine because i believe filipino talent is world-class and deserves a platform built for it. everything i build starts from that conviction: software should actually serve the people using it.
when i'm not shipping code, i'm probably planning the next thing to build.
Let's build something
Whether you have a fully-scoped brief or just a rough idea — I'm happy to talk through it. Most good projects start with a simple conversation.