Through interactive sessions, Rjay Solamo and the Davao DeFi Community inspire new interest in decentralized technologies.
In a four-day whirlwind tour, Rjay Solamo, Philippine Core DAO Region Lead Ambassador and Base Philippines Contributor, took blockchain education beyond the bounds of Davao City, bringing hands-on learning and beginner-friendly sessions to the cities of Digos, Panabo, and Tagum. Joining the Davao DeFi Community, Solamo engaged students, developers, and educators in an ambitious effort to decentralize access to Web3 knowledge one city at a time.
Each stop on the journey revealed a different shade of curiosity.
“Each city had its own unique vibe. In Digos and Panabo, the students were highly curious and eager to learn, especially since blockchain and crypto are relatively new concepts in those areas.”
In Tagum, the crowd expanded to include tech-savvy locals, which shifted the tone of discussions.
“Compared to Davao City, where the audience was slightly more familiar with crypto, the challenge outside the city was adjusting our language and examples to make sure the message was beginner-friendly and relatable.”
Building from the Basics
To meet this challenge, Solamo and team started from square one at every workshop.
“We usually started with the fundamentals. We asked, what is crypto? And what is blockchain?”
Only after establishing those concepts did they introduce Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum L2 network focused on scaling and accessibility. Their sessions highlighted practical applications, from creating wallets to exploring open-source tools in Base’s ecosystem.
“We emphasized real-world use cases and how developers, students, and builders could get involved."
The team’s approach resonated with students, some of whom immediately began experimenting with onchain tools after the sessions.
Engagement Beyond Expectations
One of the standout moments from the tour was the post-session energy. Solamo noted that many students stayed even after the sessions to ask deeper questions. Their enthusiasm was both academic and actionable.
“We saw attendees immediately trying out wallets, joining Base community channels, and even asking how to become contributors.”
The Davao DeFi Community also connected with local educators and developers who expressed interest in continuing the education efforts in their own towns.
“We made valuable local connections with teachers and devs who showed interest in continuing Web3 education in their communities.”
The Road, the Team, the Vision
Despite the impact, the journey was no small feat. The team navigated a demanding schedule, traveling together between cities while juggling school partnerships, equipment, and logistics for each event. Every stop required adaptability, but their shared mission and strong coordination kept momentum high.
“The travel was a mix of excitement and exhaustion. It was definitely a challenge managing logistics, especially with back-to-back events and different venues. But the teamwork and support from local schools and partners made things smoother.”
Each successful event reaffirmed the value of their efforts and strengthened their vision of inclusive blockchain education.
“This gave us a clearer view of how much potential there is for Web3 education outside the city. There’s a hunger for knowledge out there. We just need to meet it with the right tools and mindset.”
What’s Next?
Following the success of their regional tour, the Davao DeFi Community is looking to deepen partnerships with schools and expand the initiative to other underserved areas. Future plans include hackathons, educator training, and more localized content in Filipino languages.
