Still reeling a bit from everything, but thanks so much to everyone involved in making Philippine Web3 Festival happen! I can now cross off "Speaking at a major conference" from my bucket list. Shared the stage with amazing people and connected with so many equally amazing individuals!
With co-panelists: AJ Dimarucot, April & Sevi Agregado, Sheree Gotuaco and moderator Luis Buenaventura
I remember when I first started making art for NFT games in 2018, it was like working in obscurity. 2020 was when I minted my first cryptoart, way before the mainstream hype, and the community then was small and everyone knew everyone. Now here we are! It's surreal being at my first crypto event, hearing so many Web3 pitches from so many people and thinking about how far the space has come.
When NFT and crypto became mainstream, us cryptoartists received a lot of hate. At that time, it was difficult to figure out how to navigate it all when there were lines being drawn and you were casted as being some sort of pariah amongst the illustration community.
But just meeting everyone IRL, hearing their ideas and their dreams in building a better future, gives me so much strength and hope. I am inspired and utterly humbled by their passion and their hard work!
I was so glad to finally meet up again with Gabby Dizon - it was the first time since the pandemic started that I got to catch up with him IRL. I owe him a lot as I wouldn't have entered this space without him constantly telling me to take the plunge all those years ago.
My life has been forever changed, and it's so heartening to see how much of an impact he continues to have on people and organizations to this day.
UL: With the Aswang Tribe, UR: With April Agregado and CryoCyanide, LL: With TastyBones and Marco Selorio of Coinchella, LR: With Vinccy (of "Chinita Girl" fame) and and JM Bales (known for hit song "Magandang Dilag" which he performed live at Miss Universe Philippines 2022)
Couldn't resist but have a picture taken with the Aswang Tribe's Bripbalang!
They even gave me some really cool Aswang merch ❤️
At Revel at the Palace - the official kick-off party of the Philippine Web3 Festival
Web3 Gaming booths at the conference
Filipino Artists in the World of NFTS: A panel with Jopet Arias, Sheila Ledesma, Bjorn Calleja
With the CryptoArt Philippines fam
Finally met up with Jopet Arias, head honcho of CryptoArt Philippines!
Artworks on display at the Philippine Web3 Festival
So cool to meet Colin Goltra IRL! I designed his and Gabby's virtual art gallery (Narra Gallery) in Decentraland
With Gabby Dizon, Colin Goltra, Marv del Mundo, AJ Dimarucot, and April Agregado at the VIP dinner
Even managed to get a photo with Jiho, co-founder of Axie Infinity! Also pictured: Marv del Mundo and April Agregado
Topped off the conference with one last party at Versus Barcade. I haven't partied like that in ages!
The market may be down, but you wouldn't have known that judging by all the happenings at the event. As I said during my panel: even when so much is stacked up against the Filipino, we still show up. And it is this quality, together with the enthusiasm and passion that I've witnessed and experienced, that makes me truly believe WAGMI.
Oh, and I gave out this POAP during this event, but I will reserve that for another post!
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