On May 13, 2025, future blockchain professionals gathered at Cavite State University’s College of Engineering and Information Technology for an immersive day of learning. The event, titled “Getting Started with Blockchain: Guided Learning for Career Impact,” was a full-day, in-person workshop hosted by Bitskwela Youth University, in partnership with Sonic and supported by Coins.ph, OKX, and Sovrun.

Aimed at university students eager to understand blockchain fundamentals and discover real-world opportunities in the Web3 space, the event was made possible through a collaboration with CvSU CSSO. With over 5 hours of learning, discussion, and interactive activities, attendees left with not just theoretical knowledge, but practical insights they can build on.

A Structured Dive Into Blockchain Learning

The program kicked off with registration at 12:30 PM, followed by an opening segment that included an AVP, the Philippine National Anthem, and the university hymn. Shortly after, welcome remarks were delivered by the event’s student organization president and the College Dean—setting the tone for a day dedicated to discovery and digital empowerment.

Jiro Reyes, Founder & CEO of Bitskwela, opened the learning track with an accessible yet impactful session on “Introduction to Blockchain.” Jiro shared how blockchain works, why it’s a foundational tech layer for the future, and how it’s being adopted in the Philippines.

Oliver Santos, Event Lead of Bitskwela Youth and Co-Lead of Bitget Philippines, then shared “Web3 Career Opportunities.” Drawing from his experience in marketing and community-building, Oliver discussed how students can align their existing interests—whether tech, business, or media—with blockchain’s growing job market. His message was clear: there’s a place for everyone in this space.

Emmanuel Ignacio, Business Development Lead at Coins.ph, tackled a pressing issue in crypto: safety. His talk on “Keeping Your Digital Assets Safe” walked students through best practices for securing wallets, protecting credentials, and avoiding scams. As someone who has worked both in operations and strategy at one of the country’s largest licensed exchanges, Emmanuel offered insights directly from the frontlines of crypto adoption.

Each segment was punctuated by live giveaways and student Q&A, making the sessions engaging and rewarding for participants.

Smart Contracts in Action

The second track focused on hands-on application. From 3:30 PM to 5:20 PM, Koleen Paunon conducted an in-depth Smart Contracts Workshop, where students got to see how blockchain code functions and how smart contracts can be used to build real-world applications. This session bridged the gap between theory and practice—an important step for those curious about blockchain development.

Following the workshop were games and interactive activities to reinforce the learnings in a fun and dynamic way. The day closed with a final Q&A and farewell remarks from the organizers.

Shaping Future Builders

With hosts Alicia Kelsey Reyes and Brent Cruspe leading the flow, the event showed what meaningful blockchain education can look like when aligned with student needs. Beyond just introducing new concepts, this workshop ensured that students walked away knowing why blockchain matters and how they can be part of its growth.

Backed by Sonic and key industry players, the event reinforced a growing belief in the Philippines: blockchain isn’t just for developers and traders. It’s a career opportunity, a skill set, and a mindset shift, and thanks to Bitskwela Youth University and its partners, that message is growing roots in the hearts of the next generation.

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