Globe, the country’s leading digital solutions platform, is ramping up initiatives to extend its leadership to Web 3.0, the evolving next generation of the Internet defined by decentralization and blockchain-based technologies.
The company recently held a Web 3.0 educational media workshop together with Virtusio International, a communications firm offering Web 3.0 services, designed to equip media and content creators with foundational knowledge to cover cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse and related technologies, engage their audience, and strengthen their businesses.
GCash, a portfolio company under Globe’s corporate venture builder 917Ventures, and the country’s number #1 mobile wallet will soon enable people to buy and sell cryptocurrency on the platform.
In addition, Globe confirmed its interest in exploring the metaverse to allow people to connect, interact and even work together virtually, with initiatives spearheaded by 917Ventures, its wholly-owned corporate venture builder.
“The Globe Group of Companies has always been committed to embracing digitalization to uplift the lives of Filipinos. While Web 3.0 is still at its infancy, we are already investing in learning to harness its technologies to solve problems and serve our customers and society at large,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.
“Despite the current bear market, cryptocurrency interest and adoption in the Philippines remain significantly higher than the global average, largely due to the popularity of play-to-earn games among Filipinos, the world’s top mobile gamers. There are huge market development opportunities in NFTs, as Filipinos are among the world’s top NFT owners and popular creators and artists pursuing the medium for creative explorations,” Neil Trinidad, Vice President and Head of New Business at GCash, said.
“As we recognize Web 3.0’s rich potential, we acknowledge the need to work with technology platforms, the government, and businesses to advance education, build trust, and foster legitimate communities,” he added.
“Building on over three decades of experience supporting the communications needs of global and local technology leaders, we have made our initial foray into Web 3.0 by focusing on educational initiatives to help Filipinos understand its various technologies to make informed and thoughtful decisions on how to harness them, not just as consumers, but as active participants, thought leaders, and innovators who shape the space and make it a force for good,” Lulu Virtusio, President, Virtusio International, said.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) representatives also attended the event and shared their ongoing Web 3.0-related programs.
“With initiatives such as SET PH, or Stimulating the Growth of Emerging Technologies, and the Tech Trends Online Webinar Series about emerging technologies, the DICT is at the forefront of understanding, harnessing, and educating Filipinos about Web 3.0,” Emmy Lou Delfin, Director of the DICT ICT Industry Development Bureau, said. “Given the dynamic nature of this emerging digital era, we welcome partnerships with stakeholders from different sectors who can help us educate Filipinos about Web 3.0, promote tech talent, and develop innovations creating positive change across the country.”
Globe and Virtusio International tapped Bitskwela, a startup offering crypto and Web 3.0 education in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, and Ilocano, to facilitate the media workshop.
