Ilocano entrepreneur launches global 'Ayatko' app

Ayatko founder Aurelio Almazan Jr. presents the new global digital platform through Zoom during its formal launch on August 22 at the Twins Function Hall in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. (Doms Dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—An Ilocano entrepreneur from Barangay Bengcag has developed a global digital platform designed to strengthen family, community and cultural connections among Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.

Aurelio Almazan Jr., founder of the “Ayatko” mobile application, is currently based in Texas, United States, where he developed the Filipino community and family social networking platform to connect Filipinos across barangays, municipalities, provinces and international borders.

Unlike conventional social media platforms, Ayatko was designed without algorithm-driven feeds, advertisements or the selling of user data, promoting what Almazan described as a more authentic, community-centered and privacy-conscious digital environment.

In a press interview via Zoom, Almazan said one of the app’s distinct features is “Harana,” which allows users to send digital musical serenades through shareable links, including to people who are not yet users of the app. It also allows recipients to record interactive singing responses, bringing the traditional Filipino practice of harana into the digital age.

The application also features “Barangay Spaces”, where users can create or join local community networks while maintaining connections with fellow Filipinos around the world.

Almazan said Ayatko incorporates privacy and security features such as manual audience controls, user blocking, data-detection mechanisms and multiple layers of security intended to protect users and their accounts.

The Laoag City government has passed a resolution commending Almazan for developing the digital platform.

Laoag Councilor John Michael Fariñas, who sponsored the measure, said the Ayatko app demonstrates the ingenuity, creativity and technological capability of an Ilocano, particularly a Laoagueño, whose innovation has the potential to reach a global audience.

“The development of the Ayatko app by an ‘Ilocano pride’ particularly from Laoag City demonstrates the ingenuity, creativity, and capacity of a Laoagueño to develop technology and digital solutions with a potential global reach,” Fariñas said.

The app was formally launched on August 22, 2026 at the Twins Function Hall in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, which also served as Ayatko’s Founding Day.

During the launch, the organization introduced “Ang Panata ng Founding 300,” with its initial members pledging to build the platform around love, family and community rather than conflict.