How one entrepreneur went from selling vegetables to shaping the future of blockchain education in the Philippines.
At first glance, RJay Solamo’s journey into blockchain might seem unconventional. Before he was a Web3 developer and educator, he was selling vegetables in Davao City. Today, he is the co-founder of Web3 Davao, an initiative aimed at introducing students to blockchain technology. His story is not just about personal success but about breaking barriers for aspiring developers in the Philippines.
A Chance Encounter with Web3
In 2022, Solamo was not yet involved in blockchain development. His focus was on trading—specifically, Forex and cryptocurrencies. However, a painful financial loss changed the course of his career.
"I got rug-pulled... That was my first major loss in Web3. I wanted to understand how it worked, so I started studying smart contracts."
Determined not to fall victim to another scam, he immersed himself in blockchain development. But there was a challenge: Solamo had no coding background. With traditional resources out of reach, he turned to an unconventional teacher—AI.
Learning to Code with ChatGPT
"I had zero experience in coding, but AI changed everything... At first, I was just copy-pasting Solidity contracts from ChatGPT, deploying them in testnets without fully understanding how they worked. But that wasn’t enough—I had to learn the fundamentals."
He gradually transitioned from using AI-generated scripts to learning Rust, a language widely used in blockchain development. His commitment to self-education led him to participate in hackathons and boot camps, where he connected with experienced developers and deepened his knowledge.
Building Web3 Davao
Solamo's passion for blockchain extended beyond personal growth. He saw a gap in blockchain education, particularly for students in the Philippines. Together with Rod Albores, he co-founded Web3 Davao, a community focused on educating young developers about blockchain and Web3.
"Many students don’t know about Web3, and schools don’t integrate it into their curriculum... We needed to create an entry point for them."
Through partnerships with local institutions, Web3 Davao has helped students gain hands-on experience with blockchain technology. The initiative has also introduced them to hackathons, grants, and networking opportunities, empowering them to explore careers in Web3.
The Barriers to Web3 Adoption in the Philippines
Despite its growth, blockchain education in the country faces challenges. One of the biggest hurdles, according to Solamo, is the perception of Web3 as a scam.
"Many universities hesitate to integrate blockchain because they still associate it with crypto scams... It takes a strong proposal to convince schools that blockchain is more than just cryptocurrency."
Additionally, financial barriers make it difficult for many students to explore Web3. Gas fees, hardware costs, and access to educational resources can be limiting factors. Solamo, who once juggled selling vegetables with learning about blockchain, understands these struggles firsthand.
Looking Ahead
For Solamo, the future of Web3 in the Philippines is promising, but it requires a shift in mindset.
"Web3 isn’t just for tech graduates... I didn’t have a degree in computer science, but I made it. Anyone can learn if they put in the effort."
His vision for Web3 Davao extends beyond education. He aims to build a thriving ecosystem where students, developers, and businesses collaborate to drive blockchain adoption in the country. By continuing to break down barriers, Solamo hopes to pave the way for the next generation of Filipino blockchain innovators.