Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Abakada and how to make the most of our open-source tools directory.
What is Abakada?
Abakada is a curated directory of free and open-source productivity tools designed specifically for Filipino students, scholars, and educators. We help bridge the digital divide by providing access to powerful software alternatives that cost nothing.
Are all the tools really free?
Yes! Every tool in our directory is either completely free or has a free tier that provides substantial functionality. We prioritize open-source software that respects user freedom and privacy.
How do I suggest a new tool?
We welcome tool suggestions! You can contribute by opening an issue or pull request on our GitHub repository, or reach out through our contact page.
What does "Open Source" mean?
Open-source software has its source code publicly available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. This ensures transparency, security through community review, and freedom from vendor lock-in.
Can I use these tools offline?
Many tools in our directory work offline after installation. We indicate platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux, Web) for each tool so you can find options that work for your setup and connectivity situation.
How do you select tools for the directory?
We evaluate tools based on relevance, maturity, security posture, licensing clarity, and community adoption. We prioritize tools that are actively maintained, well-documented, and suitable for educational use.
Is Abakada affiliated with any government agency?
No, Abakada is an independent, volunteer-driven project. We are not affiliated with any government agency, educational institution, or commercial entity. Our goal is simply to help Filipinos access free tools.
How can I contribute to Abakada?
There are many ways to contribute! You can suggest tools, report issues, improve translations, write documentation, or contribute code. Visit our GitHub repository to get started. If you're interested in supporting through donations or partnerships, please reach out via our contact page—we welcome collaborations with organizations, educational institutions, and individuals who share our mission of digital equity.
Ramon Logan Jr.
Ramon Logan Jr. is the developer behind Abakada and BetterSolano.org, a community-driven initiative building a digital bridge between the residents of Solano and the local government of Solano. Based in the United Arab Emirates, he works in IT and practices full-stack development, helping build practical digital solutions in web development, design, cloud services, and cybersecurity.
He also started HelloPinas.com, a small cloud-based solutions initiative. Ramon contributes to BetterGov.ph, a volunteer-driven civic-tech effort focused on improving access to local government information and services in the Philippines.
He is also an individual participant of the OpenJS Foundation, a nonprofit supporting open-source JavaScript communities worldwide.
Abakada is also dedicated to his wife Alison and daughter Nana.
Ramon has made Abakada open source under MIT | CC BY 4.0 to empower community-driven development. Contributions are warmly welcomed from everyone—whether you are a developer, data researcher, designer, content writer, translator, or a concerned citizen. Your participation helps shape the project for all.
Ready to Explore?
Discover hundreds of free and open-source productivity tools curated for Filipino students, educators, and professionals.