This Debate Series Talks About Web3 and Disruptive Technology

Filipino-led Edutech firm Bitskwela hosts the Bull or Bear Web3 debate series, where thought leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs will talk about blockchain, NFTs, and more.

The rise of cryptocurrency in the Philippines means a more tech-savvy audience, with 6.13% of the total population, or nearly 7 million Filipinos, owning cryptocurrency and 32% of Filipino internet users saying that they own non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This, plus the fact that the country has the world’s largest remittance market means that the financial market is fast becoming even more modern and digital.

However, even with these numbers, there is still a segment that is unfamiliar with the workings behind this kind of disruptive technology—which is defined as “a new business model [that] attracts an underserviced market or revenue stream and grows until it supplants incumbent competitors.” After all, Web3 is new territory, as it “describes the next evolution of the World Wide Web, the user interface that provides access to documents, applications, and multimedia on the internet” which include decentralization, blockchain technologies, and token-based economics.

This is where the Filipino-led firm Bitskwela comes in. A Web3 educational technology (EduTech) company, Bitskwela aims to help Filipinos “own a piece of the internet through educational engagements, management services, products, and events that foster Web3-educated decision-makers and communities.”

Bull or Bear: Your Guide to All Things Web3

Guided by its mission to provide Filipinos with logical, factual, and insightful Web3 education, Bitskwela brings back its Bull or Bear Web3 debate series—a coming-together of thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists who will discuss complex issues about disruptive technology.

A flagship educational event, Bull or Bear is known in the Web3 community and has historically been part of the biggest Web3 events in the Philippines, such as last year’s Philippine Web3 Festival and Philippine Blockchain Week. Simply put, it’s a much-awaited event for tech-savvy Filipinos who dabble, collect, or own cryptocurrency and NFTs. And even more so for people who want to learn about it.

“The key to Web3 mass adoption is education, and Bitskwela has always been keen on working with key operator leaders and decision-makers in the space to forward education. Through Bull or Bear, we’re able to provide level-headed education on pivotal Web3 topics,” explains Jiro Reyes, the Chief Executive Officer of Bitskwela.

What to Expect at the Web3 Debate Series by Bitskwela

This year’s Web3 debate series features back-to-back online and in-person debates, which include:

The Limits of DYOR: A Debate on Web3 Influencers and Promotions

Set to take place on June 9, 2023, at 7 PM (PHT), this one-hour debate that will be hosted by Bitskwela on Twitter (@Bitskwela). Attendance at the Twitter Spaces debate is free and open to all.

The debate will be graced by YGG country manager Luis Buenaventura; Bitcoin firm Pouch.ph CEO Ethan Rose; Suzuverse PH and web3 games influencer Em “Kaisaya” Dangla; Web3 content creator MJ Aguilar; and Favx Capital and Cryptoverse Academy CEO Marvin Favis.

These esteemed speakers will be presenting their views on the dynamics between influencers and the “Do Your Own Research” or DYOR mantra in the Web3 realm, which tells traders to do their research, as it is very easy to access misinformation or misleading information.

“As Web3 revolutionizes sectors with its focus on decentralization, privacy, and user control, influencers are becoming pivotal voices that offer insights into its myriad applications. Meanwhile, the DYOR principle encourages independent research before making decisions in the digital space,” says JC Macalintal, the Chief Marketing Officer of Bitskwela.

Brushes and Pixels: A Debate on NFTs and Fine Arts

Given that art on the blockchain—or NFTs, for short—has been a hot topic of discussion in the Web3 realm, Bitskwela will be holding a discourse on June 16, 2023, at the Imahica Art Gallery, Mandaluyong City, that aims to give perspective on controversies swirling around the traditional and NFTs.

At the helm of this debate series is Brian Poe Llamanzares—the Co-Founder of Artifract.io, a platform that democratizes Fine Arts ownership by fractionalizing them as NFTs. Joining him is Ian Fulgar, a prominent figure in the Philippine art scene, as he is the founder of Imahica Art Gallery and principal for Fulgar Architects. He will be bringing a unique perspective to the table by shedding light on the evolving landscape of digital art.

Other personalities who will be gracing this event include rising Filipino illustrator Marso Ya from community-driven groups Crypto Art PH and LevelArtGuild; serial entrepreneur, content creator, and cryptocurrency investor Chris Tan; and Jeffrey Bondoc, founder of the Filipino group Bored Ape and Mutant Ape holders from the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection or BAYCkada.

According to Bitskwela’s CEO, the event aims to foster a dialogue on the future of art through NFTs and traditional art. “In this debate, we’ll see leaders from both industries share their thoughts on what the future of art, both in the physical world and the internet will be,” Reyes explains.

The Main Event: Bull or Bear: Philippine Web3 Debate 2023

The two events serve as a prelude for the main event: “Bull or Bear: Philippine Web3 Debate 2023” Cebu edition. It is set to take place in Cebu—specifically at Ayala Malls Central Bloc, Cebu IT Park, Cebu City on July 15, 2023.

This year’s Bull or Bear: Cebu Edition is co-presented by GCash and Blockceler8 and is backed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Go Digital Pilipinas, Ayala Malls, Philippine Airlines, Likha NFT platform, and Likhaan. Key partners in this prestigious event include Web3 firms Tekkon and Hive, as well as the crypto exchange and copy trading platform Bitget.

“Bitskwela has been actively advancing the crypto education landscape in the Philippines, from localizing educational content to organizing debates aimed at fostering a collaborative environment that promotes understanding and awareness in the Web3 space,” Reyes ends.