Pioneering Web3 Adoption in the Philippines

In the heart of Southeast Asia, the Philippines is quietly becoming a hotspot for web3 adoption, thanks in part to the efforts of two remarkable builders: Jiro Reyes and Beau Valoria. Their unique paths in the burgeoning web3 landscape are not only carving out new opportunities for technological advancement but also shaping the country's future in the digital economy.

Jiro Reyes: Web3 educator and founder of Bitskwela

Jiro Reyes, the 23-year-old Founder of Bitskwela.com, is championing the power of education in the evolving space of cryptocurrencies and blockchain in the Philippines. His venture into web3 began as a passion project during his college years, which swiftly turned into a mission to democratize knowledge across the Philippines.

"With Bitskwela, we're building more than just a platform; we're nurturing a well-informed community ready to engage with web3," Jiro explains. He aims to go beyond the hype of digital currency, ensuring that Filipinos understand the power and potential of these new technologies.

Bitskwela is an ed-tech platform based out of the Philippines that has rapidly established itself as a vital resource for youth nationwide since its launch in May 2022. Focusing on a comprehensive curriculum, the platform educates on the nuances of cryptocurrencies and the wider web3 space, incorporating essential skills such as marketing, social media, and design to prepare individuals for professional roles in this innovative sector. 

Additionally, through its 'Bull or Bear' debate events, it encourages critical thinking and individual perspective on emerging tech topics, fostering a generation of well-rounded, critically-minded, and self-sufficient participants in the digital economy.

Beau Valoria: Building web3 infrastructure for the future digital economy

Parallel to Jiro's educational initiatives is Beau Valoria, a software engineer who found his calling in the web3 space amidst the pandemic's reflective pause. As the Co-Founder of Web3 Philippines, Beau is instrumental in providing essential resources to underserved communities that aim to make the Philippines a hub of web3 innovation.

"We're ensuring that every Filipino has equal access to the educational tools they need to progress in the web3 ecosystem," Beau says. His work is predicated on the idea that web3 can offer unprecedented equality in the digital realm, a vision that's resonating with the nation's youth.

Web3Philippines is a community-driven initiative dedicated to empowering Filipinos in the web3 space with both technical and non-technical knowledge and provides comprehensive educational resources like engineering, community building, technical writing, and essential soft skills. 

The platform also places a strong emphasis on practical application, engaging in the development of applications, tools, and infrastructure by adopting open-source methods.

Youth engagement and community building in web3

Both Jiro and Beau have observed a surge of interest among the Filipino youth, who are eager to embrace the opportunities present in web3. This interest is propelled by the Philippines' status as a social media capital and the intuitive leap from familiar online platforms to the innovative spaces of web3.

“The Philippines is the social media capital of the world, with millions of users on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Now, when people realize that there are opportunities in the web3 space like NFTs, DeFi, Cryto, and play-to-earn, it is an easy transition for Filipinos to jump on this emerging trend.” Jiro pointed out, while Beau had this to say about web3 adoption amongst the youths in the Philippines  

“I believe one of the major reasons why many young Filipinos have an interest in NFTs, crypto, and web3, in general, is that it provides a means for them to earn income outside the conventional ways of working. In a world filled with discoveries and inventions where many feel there isn’t much left to discover, web3 provides a way for them to reinvent and build solutions and infrastructure that would impact the world.”

In their respective roles, Jiro and Beau are not just witnesses to the country's digital transformation; they are its architects. Jiro's Bitskwela is redefining the way Filipinos think about earning and learning in the digital age, while Beau's work with Web3 Philippines is creating the very infrastructure needed for Filipinos to build and innovate within this new economy.

The road ahead and an advice for aspiring web3 innovators

“The only advice that has been useful for me, and that I can give to anyone, is just show up—show up to events you might not know anything about, and communities you are not familiar with, and maybe in those communities, you might find people who share the same interests with you.” they share. 

Jiro's journey from fine arts to crypto education and Beau's leap from casual curiosity to web3 development are testaments to the inclusivity of web3 and the power of showing up.

As the Philippines stands on the brink of a digital revolution, the contributions of Jiro and Beau are pivotal as they are not only equipping their countrymen with the knowledge and tools to succeed but also instilling a sense of community and shared purpose.

Their combined efforts highlight a broader narrative of transformation and growth, as the Philippines carves its niche in the global web3 dialogue. With education and infrastructure as their twin beacons, Jiro and Beau are guiding their country through the unfolding chapters of the web3 story.