March was an eventful month for The Block and Beyond, featuring significant participation in notable events and insightful interviews. Here's a comprehensive overview:
1. Spotlight: Events and Happenings in Davao
- ICP X Discussion: On February 28, 2025, The Block and Beyond covered ICP’s “World Computer Talk: Can ICP Power Digital Governance?” discussion on X Spaces. This discussion gave the spotlight to ReverionTech and NFT Davao’s collaboration with the Davao LGU on integrating blockchain technology into its local government projects to safeguard essential records and enhance cybersecurity.
This positions Davao among the growing number of Philippine cities exploring Web3 governance.
- Build on BASE Event: On March 1, 2025, The Block and Beyond covered the "Build on BASE" event with Davao DeFi Community at 8th Square Events Place in Davao City. This gathering brought together blockchain enthusiasts to explore Ethereum's Layer 2 solution, BASE. The Block and Beyond covered discussions of BASE PH Country Lead Eli Becislao, Davao DeFi Community Founder Rubz Comms, Senior Sherlock and Web3 Security Researcher Doni Jaldon, and Rampz founder Erich Liwag.
Davao’s embrace of BASE reflects Coinbase’s broader push to scale Ethereum through Layer 2 infrastructure, signaling the city’s alignment with global Web3 scalability efforts.
- SBG Week 2025: From March 17-21, 2025, Ateneo de Davao University's School of Business & Governance hosted SBG Week 2025, themed "Ignite. Innovate. Inspire." The Block and Beyond provided coverage of the presentations of Connect Web3’s Ken Berry and Peaq PH Ambassador Rod Albores.
2. Major Accomplishments/Development
- Davao City 4th among top startup hubs in PH - SunStar
- ReverionTech (RER Dao), ICP, and NFT Davao are working with Davao LGU to train them on blockchain technology.
- This effort reflects the Philippines’ broader momentum toward blockchain-enabled public services and adds to the country's growing blockchain startup scene in 2025.
- DDC was presented at UMSDC’s Project Showcase 2025, Northlink Technological College’s IT Campus Festival, and DevCon Bukidnon’s SHEisDEVCON.
- DDC partnered with Converge and IT Step.
- DDC held the first Avalanche Call in Mindanao.
- Rampz is preparing to launch.
- An emerging blockchain startup in Davao aiming to bring Web3 loyalty to everyday users and contribute to grassroots innovation within the Philippines’ blockchain ecosystem.
- Ryori is expanding.
3. Special Pieces
We were able to get expert insights to publish these unique pieces:
Eliezer Rabadon (DvCode CEO and Tech Lead of ICP Hub PH)
- From White Hat to Web3: Eliezer Rabadon’s Cybersecurity Mission
- Eliezer Rabadon: Why Human Vulnerabilities Are the Weakest Link in Cybersecurity
His insights highlight the growing intersection of decentralized identity, DePIN, and AI integration in Web3 security frameworks.
Mark Hugh Neri (The BLOKC, Selyo, and Hiraya Network)
- From Solidity to AI: The BLOKC's Mark Hugh Neri Shares His Take on Blockchain Development in 2025
- The BLOKC's Mark Hugh Neri: The Top 2 Mistakes New Blockchain Developers Make
Michael Lance Domagas (PR Lead at DEVCON Philippines, Member of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP) and many more)
4. All Interviews with Notable Quotes
#1. Rod Albores (Peaq PH Ambassador / ReverionTech)
Articles:
- Web3 with a Purpose: Rod Albores on Real-World Solutions and Community Power
- ReverionTech's Rod Albores Isn’t Just Training Developers, He Is Training Cities for Web3
- Rod Albores: You’re Not Too Young to Build a Billion-Dollar Idea
Memorable quote:
“DePIN provides real data for the AI, not fake news. This is because data will really propel us into the future. DePIN infrastructure is needed because a lot of existing infrastructure are not speaking reality.”
#2. Churchill Brizuella (NFT Davao Co-Founder)
Articles:
- More Than Just Art: Churchill Brizuela on NFT Davao’s Expanding Role in Web3
- Blueprints on the Blockchain: Securing the Future of Construction with NFT Davao's Churchill Brizuela
- NFT Davao's Churchill Brizuela on Why Local Governments Are Warming Up to Blockchain
"At first, that’s the only thing we knew that NFT is all about art… Later, I learned that it's not just an art or a digital art collectible."
#3. Rjay Solamo (Web3 Davao Co-Founder)
Articles:
- From Vegetable Vendor to Blockchain Pioneer: RJay Solamo’s Web3 Davao Journey
- RJay Solamo: Using ChatGPT to Learn Web3 Development
- RJay Solamo: The Role of Web3 Communities in Educating the Next Generation
"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."
#4. Christ Odtohan “Marix Gaming” (ZetaChain PH Culture Ambassador)
Articles:
“Hindi ako developer... pero ang dali kong nideploy yung token ko kasi built-in na yung pwede mong gawin doon sa platform.”
#5. Doni Jaldon (Senior Watson & Web3 Security Researcher)
Articles:
- Doni Jaldon’s Call to Filipinos: Prosper in Web3 Security
- From Code to Crypto: Doni Jaldon on Ethical Hacking, Filipino Talent, and the Future of Web3 Security Research
- Doni Jaldon: A Six-Step Roadmap for Filipinos to Enter the Web3 Security Industry
"Filipinos tend to be attracted to easier routes. Doctors and lawyers are high status, while security researchers and developers are not seen the same way."
#6. Rubz Comms (Davao DeFi Community Founder)
Articles:
- Ethereum and Beyond: Rubz Comms on the Blockchain's Journey to BASE
- Decentralizing Education: Rubz Comms on How Davao DeFi Community is Making Blockchain Accessible to Filipinos
- From Meetups to Mindanao-Wide: Rubz Comms of Davao DeFi Community on Regional Expansion
"So yeah, that's still the main goal of DDC. We could expand further in Mindanao in the context that we will be a helper in building more communities from different regional places. So with our partners, we'll be approaching other partners to realize this main goal."
#7. Shannen Yu Sapar (UX Davao Co-Founder)
Articles:
- UX Matters: Lessons from UX Davao’s Shannen Yu Sapar on Building Better Digital Experiences
- 10 Key Takeaways from Our Interview with UX Davao's Shannen Yu Sapar
“A lot of companies still conflate UX and UI... The common misconception is that UX design is what the product looks like... But UX in itself is more of research and psychology, understanding the psychology of the users and your customers.”
#8. Arthur Agullana (Davao DeFi Community Co-Founder)
Articles:
“One of the important things when you are starting a team is the alignment of what you believe in.”
5. Coming Your Way
We have already interviewed the following figures, with their articles set for upcoming release.
Mann Laeno and Juris Tolosa (Ryori)
Santari (Auki Labs Co-Founder)
Upcoming content also includes exclusive videos and articles you won't want to miss:
- Christine Erispe (DevRel for ETH63PH)
- Erich Liwag (Rampz)
- Yoko (JBEC - UM)
- Rubz (DDC Founder)
- Rod (Peaq PH Ambassador and ReverionTech Founder)
Please like and share our pieces to continue supporting Davao City’s first web3 and blockchain publication.
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