Star Rtn. Tobias “Toby” Rast: The New IT Kid on the Block

Growing up in Germany where traveling was previously limited to other communist countries, Star Rotarian Tobias Rast developed a passion for traveling at an early age. When German reunification happened on October 3, 1990, he felt the entire world opened to him. From a young boy who was amazed with the world map, he started to explore the world and make all his dreams come to reality. Star Rtn. Rast has been in Asia since 2009, lived and worked in the Philippines, Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka. In 2015, he came back to the Philippines and founded an IT company. He fell in love with the country, made it his second home, and started to build his family here. Discover more about Star Rtn. Rast as he shares a slice of his life and what made him stay in Asia. As an IT expert, he also shares what will be the biggest trends in web/app development.

Rhea Vitto Tabora (RVT): What inspired you to join the Rotary Club of Manila? How would you describe your experience with the Club so far?

Tobias Rast (TR): The Rotary Club of Manila is a unique and exciting institution. At the Club, I experienced the mark of a group of people that takes action to create lasting change and love for this Club. The Club activities, social events, and volunteer projects have inspired me. I want to contribute with my knowledge and capabilities to support RCM activities. I experienced, in the pre-COVID-19 times, the very welcoming weekly face-to-face meetings and the exciting guest speakers. Even when I was only an RCM member for two months, I already made some friends and have had inspiring conversations.

The Rotary Motto “Service Above Self” and the 4 Way Test are things I try to apply in every aspect of my life. Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, said “Change is the only constant in life”. My values, which I learned from my parents, are influencing this constant change. I included the Rotary values into my own. Whether it is personal or professional, I always stick to my values and to what I believe.

RVT: How did you end up working in Asia, and what made you stay in the region for over a decade?

TR: My passion for traveling started very early as a young boy. I was born in East Germany, and traveling was limited only to other communist countries. I was always amazed by the world map and wanted to travel. 1990 was an exceptional year in my life. For twenty-eight years, the wall split Germany like an iron curtain into the capitalist West and the communist East. On 3 October 1990, we had a peaceful reunification, and the whole world opened to me. After I lived and worked for three years in Manila, I left the country and moved to Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka. I must admit, I always missed the Philippines, and five years ago, destiny brought me in a position to choose my place of living. With no hesitation, I moved back to Makati and founded an IT company, Pegotec. For the first time in my professional life, I had no contract, no maximum time to stay, and no new destination where to go next. I started a family in a foreign country that I now consider my second home.

RVT: What do you think will be the biggest trends in web/app development?

TR: I am in the IT business since 1998, when I developed the first website for a local race track in my hometown. Since then, I have experienced the Dot-com boom, Web 2.0, and Industry 4.0. revolution. We, the creative IT industry, never stop looking forward. There is always another thing that can be improved or disrupt. Web and App solutions changed the world and will continue to do so. Most of us use mobile phones with modern and innovative mobile apps on it. But my business is not limited to consumer apps. We create apps that make an impact in the industry and for organizations. Our apps collect data from work processes, machines, or even humans. With mobile development, we can support any workflow and help optimize it. The most significant trend I can see now is Big Data. With billions of mobile devices, industry, and homes connected to the internet, self-driving cars, etc., we collect terabytes of information. To analyze this data and make the right assumptions out of it will be the big business. Data will become a currency and will influence all our lives. IT is one of the most potent things now; you cannot ignore it or try to live without it. RCM is influenced by IT. We receive E-mails from the office, communicate in Viber groups, and see each other in the Zoom meetings. Automatization, digitalization, mobile apps, and enterprise web-based software can improve any businesses and industries.

RVT: Name the person who had a great influence in your life. How did this person make an impact in your life?

TR: That is an exciting question that made me think. I believe that it always depends on the chapter in one’s life. My family influenced me in raising and teaching me manners and fundamental values. “A man of his word” is something I learned from my grandfather. I believe this is one of the essential things to follow, regardless of private or business life. Also, in my business life, I got influenced by people who have been my mentors. I meet experienced business people and learned a lot from them. Listening to them and understanding their way of doing business helped me a lot to start my own. Young entrepreneurs run fast, but the experienced entrepreneurs know the shortcuts. To be in permanent exchange with professional people is inspiring and beneficial. My friends are some of the biggest influencers in my life. To have open discussions and get honest opinions from friends is very important. The latest person who influenced me a lot is my daughter Amara. I learned that a smile is worth much more than everything else in this world. I changed my lifestyle and try to be with her as much as possible. The simple things in life as a family are unpayable with money.

RVT: What is your favorite Filipino dish? Have you tried any exotic dishes?

TR: Filipino and German food have some similarities. For example, German Pork Knuckle is called crispy pata in the Philippines. My most favorite dish in the Philippines, lechon (roasted pig), is also related to Germany. It is called Spanferkel in Germany, and I love to eat it in Cebu. I also like Bicol express (spicy pork dish) and pancit canton (noodle dish) very much. I tried balut (boiled fertilized duck egg) a long time ago. I think that was the most exotic and unusual thing I had to try in the Philippines.

RVT: What is one thing you miss most in your home country that you cannot find here in the Philippines?

TR: I miss the four seasons. To see nature changing is something extraordinary. Broadleaf forests turning red in autumn is a beautiful thing to enjoy.

RVT: If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently?

TR: I would not do anything different. I believe making mistakes is a part of life. I have made a lot of mistakes, but I learned from them. Of course, every action comes with consequences, but if you draw a lesson from the mistakes made, it is beneficial to who you are.

RVT: When this pandemic is over, where will you go and why?

TR: When the pandemic is over, I want to go to Germany to see my family and introduce my daughter to them. I know how badly my family wants to see her in person.

RVT: What is your favorite sport and why?

TR: I am German, so football is our national sport. I play it myself, and it is not only a sport. For some Germans, football is an essential part of their lives, and it brings people together. Aside from professional football, there is also another aspect of it. Thousands of amateur players meet every week to play football and socialize after. Even here in Manila, the German Club Football Team, the Eagles, is a team where you can easily make friends and get introduced to many players.