About Me

Hi, I'm Manuel Benancio, though most people call me Kembec, a nickname that came from rearranging the letters of my full name. It's not the most creative story, but it's there; I guess sometimes the best things come from simplicity... or from a lack of options. I grew up in Peru, a country as complex as it is fascinating: it has landscapes that take your breath away, a cuisine worthy of being a cultural heritage, and, well, a system of opportunities that sometimes feels designed to make you give up before you even start. It's like working with legacy code: clunky and resistant to change, but when you finally get it to work, you can't help but feel proud.

Since I was young, I was curious about how things worked behind a screen. In 2008, I started exploring Flash CS3 and ActionScript, learning how to bring simple ideas to life on a computer that wasn't the best but was enough to spark endless curiosity. This led me to PHP, MySQL, and Apache, with which I developed my first websites. Soon, I discovered online forums, which back then were the core of many digital communities. Using platforms like phpBB and vBulletin, I tried creating communities over and over again. None of those projects were a huge success, but each attempt taught me how to customize features, solve technical problems, and manage user dynamics. Looking back, those experiments were essential in understanding that programming isn't just about writing code, but about building spaces that connect people.

By 2014, I had come to realize that technology was at the core of my life. I immersed myself in building things from scratch, testing ideas, and learning through the process. At the same time, I started exploring creative fields like photography and graphic design. A borrowed camera and free editing software opened up a new world, where I found that these tools didn't just capture moments but told stories—much like the process of creating in technology: ideating, communicating, and solving problems.

This intersection of technical and visual interests led me to study marketing, a field that back then offered the opportunity to connect creativity, strategy, and technological tools. Although I broadened my horizons in that direction, I never gave up on programming. I started working as a freelancer developing backend systems, automating processes, and managing basic servers. These projects fueled my tech curiosity and showed me that I could integrate my skills into larger, more complex solutions.

In 2017, I felt that programming should be at the center of my career again. I had been freelancing for years and my projects had evolved into full applications, from the backend to the frontend. Working with frameworks like Express, Laravel, and Django allowed me to create more structured and effective APIs. I also decided to explore modern frontend frameworks: Angular and React were growing fast, but Vue.js was the one that convinced me the most for its simplicity and flexibility. This shift made me see the frontend as an essential part of the user experience, not just an afterthought.

During that time, I started handling real-time data and focused on more efficient ways of communication between systems, adopting advanced patterns for data management. I also integrated TypeScript, which brought clarity and reliability to the code, especially in larger teams or projects. On the backend, I combined databases like PostgreSQL and MongoDB, and adopted caching systems like Redis to improve performance in high-concurrency applications.

The real turning point came when I discovered Docker. At first, it seemed like just another tool, but I soon realized that it guaranteed consistency across development environments. Then came Kubernetes, which introduced me to the world of distributed systems. I learned how to deploy applications in a scalable way, managing containers in complex environments. These technologies changed my view of infrastructure: it was no longer just about making applications work, but about making them grow and adapt to the future.

I started implementing more advanced architectures, like microservices. Breaking down monolithic applications into smaller, manageable modules made maintenance easier and allowed for greater autonomy in different parts of the system. In larger projects, I integrated message queues with RabbitMQ to coordinate distributed tasks while maintaining efficiency. It was a period that not only marked a technical advancement but also reaffirmed my main motivation: to build systems that solve problems in a resilient and sustainable way.

Co-founding Syma.pe in 2018 was as challenging as it was exciting. We started with ambitious ideas, limited resources, and a small team that faced every obstacle. In the beginning, my role wasn't defined; I did everything from proposing technical solutions to meeting with clients. Over time, I took on the role of CTO, leading the technical side without losing sight of the market's needs. I learned a lot: leading multidisciplinary teams, making decisions under pressure, and maintaining a clear focus were lessons I carried with me.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I began working as a consultant through Grupo Anta. There, I was able to combine my technical experience with a strategic approach, helping companies from different sectors improve their processes and advance in their digital transformation. Although I enjoyed this role, I didn't neglect Syma, which remained an incredibly demanding and exciting project.

In 2023, after years of evolution, we sold the intellectual property of Syma. It was a long and complex process, not just because of the technical and commercial aspects, but also because it meant closing a very important chapter of my professional life. Syma represented more than technology: it was a space to learn about leadership, resilience, and creating solutions with purpose. Although the sale marked the end of that chapter, it also opened new possibilities and left me with valuable lessons.

In August 2024, I joined Guinea Mobile as CTO, drawn to the opportunity to lead an innovative project in the world of telecommunications. What most attracted me was their vision: to be not just a mobile operator, but a platform that allows companies to customize services and implement new forms of connectivity, including IoT.

This new role combines the technical with the strategic. More than just implementing systems, I aim to ensure that every decision positively impacts those who use our services. I've had the opportunity to apply everything I've learned in my journey, especially that vision of building from scratch with real needs in mind.

Today, in January 2025, I look back and see a path full of learnings, challenges, and moments that have defined my career. Technology, like life, never stops: it always pushes you to adapt, learn, and keep moving forward. This text is not an end, but another chapter. Let's see what's next... with good Wi-Fi, a cup of coffee, and maybe a new idea to build.