I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 64: They Noticed

The Philippine media had always been quick to pick up on rising business stars, but when news of Sentinel Systems' meteoric rise spread, it was unlike anything the country had seen before. In less than a year, the company had gone from a promising cybersecurity startup to a billion-dollar tech empire, securing deals with giants like Tesla, Amazon, and Microsoft.

And at the center of it all? Matthew Borja, the 22-year-old CEO, a name now making waves in corporate circles.

Breaking News: The Billion-Dollar Filipino Tech Prodigy

"Is this the Philippines' answer to Silicon Valley's tech moguls?"

"Sentinel Systems: The Homegrown Cybersecurity Powerhouse Taking Over the Global Market!"

"From College Student to CEO – The Unbelievable Rise of Matthew Borja"

These were just some of the headlines flashing across business news sites, social media, and television broadcasts. Sentinel Systems was now national news, and the spotlight was firmly on Matthew.

The media frenzy had reached the company's doorstep. Reporters were stationed outside the Bonifacio Global City headquarters, hoping for a statement from Sentinel's elusive young CEO. Inside, Matthew sat in a high-level meeting with Lisa Delgado, Daniel Reyes, Angel Therese Sue, and a handful of his senior executives.

Lisa placed a tablet on the table, displaying the latest articles and trending topics.

"This is huge, Matthew," she said. "Philippine business media is all over Sentinel Systems. Some international outlets are starting to take notice, too."

Daniel added, "This kind of publicity is both a blessing and a risk. Your name is now in the same breath as the likes of Tony Tan Caktiong, Manny Villar, and Lance Gokongwei. The business world is watching."

Matthew leaned back, glancing at the headlines flashing across the screen. He had anticipated media coverage after the high-profile contracts, but not at this scale.

"What's the public sentiment?" he asked.

Angel, who had spent part of her morning scanning comments and opinion pieces, responded smoothly. "It's mostly positive. Many are celebrating that a Filipino-led tech company is making waves globally. There's pride that we're not just outsourcing cybersecurity talent anymore—we're actually leading in innovation."

Lisa nodded. "However, there's also skepticism. Some critics are questioning whether Sentinel Systems can sustain this growth. Others think you're moving too fast, suggesting that a bubble might burst."

Matthew wasn't surprised. "There's always skepticism. But we let our results speak for themselves."

Daniel cleared his throat. "There's another thing. The Senate and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are considering reaching out. They want to discuss how Sentinel Systems' growth could impact national policies—cybersecurity, tech regulations, and even economic incentives for local tech firms."

Matthew's eyes narrowed. He had expected corporate rivals to start taking notice, but now the government was watching too. This meant regulatory scrutiny was coming.

"I see." He exhaled slowly. "We need to be ready for that conversation."

By midday, Sentinel Systems' PR team was swamped with interview requests. Every major business publication in the country wanted a sit-down with Matthew. Even Bloomberg Asia and CNBC International were reaching out, recognizing Sentinel as a potential tech unicorn in the making.

Lisa turned to Matthew. "You've been private so far, and that's worked in your favor. But with this much attention, staying silent could create speculation. We need to decide how you want to approach this."

Matthew considered his options. He had never been one for the spotlight—he preferred to work behind the scenes, letting his technology do the talking. But he knew this was an opportunity to shape the narrative.

"Let's be strategic about it," he said. "I won't entertain every request, but we should select one or two interviews with the most credibility. Bloomberg Asia and ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) are solid picks. They'll help position Sentinel Systems as a serious player."

Angel spoke up. "I suggest preparing a controlled interview—we outline key talking points beforehand. No unnecessary distractions."

Lisa smiled. "Smart. We'll frame the discussion around Sentinel's growth, our global deals, and how we're setting the standard for cybersecurity. No need to discuss government inquiries yet."

"Good," Matthew said. "Set it up."

As the media storm intensified, Matthew expected pushback from Philippine business elites. He wasn't wrong.

At a private business gathering in Makati, several high-profile executives, including Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Henry Sy Jr., and Lance Gokongwei, held closed-door discussions about Sentinel Systems' rapid expansion.

"They're moving too fast," one executive said. "A company that young shouldn't be securing billion-dollar deals overnight."

"And yet they are," another countered. "Their technology is solid. The real question is—do we compete, invest, or control their growth?"

"Or we convince the government that their rise poses security risks," one murmured.

***

Three days later, Matthew sat in a sleek conference room in Sentinel Systems HQ, prepared for his first major interview with ANC's Karen Davila.

Cameras were set. The lighting was perfect.

Karen smiled at him. "Mr. Borja, you've made headlines as the youngest CEO of a billion-dollar tech company in the Philippines. People are calling you the next Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk. How do you respond to that?"

Matthew smirked slightly. "With respect, I prefer to be known as Matthew Borja—because Sentinel Systems isn't trying to copy anyone. We're here to set our own standard."

Karen's eyebrows lifted slightly, impressed. "Sentinel's rapid growth is unprecedented. Some critics say it's too fast, too soon. Do you think your company can sustain this trajectory?"

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Matthew leaned forward slightly. "We don't chase growth—we build foundations. The deals we're securing aren't just contracts, they're long-term partnerships. Sentinel Systems isn't here for short-term gains. We're here to lead the future of cybersecurity."

Karen nodded, clearly engaged. "And what's next? What's the bigger vision for Sentinel?"

Matthew smiled. "We started with cybersecurity, but Sentinel's ambitions don't stop there. Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Advanced Encryption—we want to be at the forefront of the next technological revolution."

"Now, some have speculated about your net worth. And you know what we found?"

"What is it?"

Karen gave a knowing smile as she glanced at her notes. "Financial analysts estimate your personal net worth to be somewhere in the multi-billion-dollar range. Some reports even speculate that you're now one of the youngest billionaires in Southeast Asia."

"Well they are quite right, I'm already on that range," Matthew replied with a smile. "To answer your question, I'm projected to be on a 20 to 30 or even 100 billion dollar worth. Making me the richest man in the Philippines. Maybe perhaps, I can grow to the point where my net worth would be higher than the combined wealth of the biggest business tycoons in the Philippines."

Karen raised an eyebrow, momentarily stunned by his boldness. "That's a massive claim, Mr. Borja. You're saying you could surpass the likes of the Ayalas, Sys, and Gokongweis?"

Matthew smirked. "Why not? Sentinel Systems isn't just another conglomerate. We're not dealing with real estate, malls, or retail. We're building the infrastructure of the future. Cybersecurity, AI, quantum computing—these are industries that aren't just profitable; they're indispensable. Every company, every government, every financial institution will eventually rely on what we build."

Karen nodded, clearly intrigued. "And do you see yourself as the future of Philippine business?"

Matthew's smile didn't waver. "Not just Philippine business—global business. The world is shifting. The old industries will always have their place, but technology defines the next era. And I intend for Sentinel to be at the center of it."

The room fell silent for a moment. Karen knew this interview was going to be headline material.

"Now, speaking of that," she continued, "the Philippine government has taken an interest in Sentinel Systems' growth. The Senate and the Department of Trade and Industry are reportedly considering regulations that could impact your company. Some business elites have raised concerns about Sentinel's influence in cybersecurity. What's your response to that?"

Matthew's smirk faded slightly, his demeanor shifting to something more serious. "I understand the concerns. Technology moves fast, and governments tend to move slower. But let's be clear—Sentinel is not a threat; we are an asset. Our goal is to protect industries, not destabilize them."

"But some argue that Sentinel could have too much power over data security, especially with contracts involving Tesla, Amazon, and Microsoft," Karen pressed. "Does that concern you?"

Matthew exhaled. "I welcome reasonable regulations. But if certain groups are pushing these concerns to protect their own business interests, then that's not about cybersecurity—it's about competition. And we're not going to slow down just because some corporations feel threatened."

Karen smiled, sensing the edge in his response. "So you're saying your competitors are afraid?"

"I'm saying they should be," Matthew replied, leaning forward slightly. "Because we're changing the game. And those who can't adapt? They'll get left behind."