The YGG PH community lead shares why time freedom and community impact mattered more than earnings in his transition to Web3.
Not everyone who enters Web3 does so for the money. For Kevin Macalino, better known as Kuya Kevs, the motivation was far more personal. A former real estate agent turned community manager for Yield Guild Games Pilipinas (YGG PH), Kuya Kevs discovered that digital work offered not just income, but a deeper sense of purpose.
In an exclusive interview with The Block and Beyond, Kuya Kevs shares his story of finding balance, meaning, and a mission to serve others through the growing world of decentralized work.
From Real Estate to the Metaverse
Before Web3, Kuya Kevs built his career in real estate, earning up to six digits in commissions but over a span of three to four years of work. It was lucrative, but unsustainable. The pandemic halted in-person interactions, and with them, his livelihood.
Kevs said he prayed for a job where he didn't have to leave his house but could still provide for his family. That prayer led him to Kookoo Crypto TV and eventually to YGG. Initially skeptical, Kuya Kevs was lured in not by the tech or tokens, but curiosity.
“I didn’t even care about Web3 at first. I just wondered why Kookoo [Crypto TV] had so many views on YouTube."
Soon after, he became an Axie Infinity scholar under YGG, and his first payout was ₱17,000, but it opened his eyes to the possibilities.
"It was the first time I made real money online."
Find out more about Kookoo Crypto TV: From Devastating Credit Card Debt to Crypto Mentor: The Kookoo Crypto TV Story
The Power of Purpose
While the income was welcome, what hooked Kuya Kevs was the chance to lead and serve.
“It’s not about the salary... It’s about having time freedom, being with my family, and helping others find opportunities.”
He gradually moved up from scholarship coordinator to community manager, helping build YGG PH's programs like Crypto Fiesta and Metaversity.
His leadership played a pivotal role in scaling the community from 50 to over 1,000 active members.
“When SLP went down and the bear market hit, many communities collapsed. We had to create value to keep people here,"
Shows, education, and accessible rewards were the strategy.
Metaversity and Non-Technical Careers
One of Kuya Kevs' proudest projects is Metaversity, YGG PH’s free educational platform.
Unlike traditional Web3 upskilling efforts that focus narrowly on development, Metaversity trains users across four tracks: community management (Sentinels), backend support (Templars), game agents, and content creators (Stellars).
“We’re not just targeting gamers anymore... We’re reaching freelancers, students, even mothers, anyone who wants to earn and learn from home.”
The goal is to make Web3 work accessible, sustainable, and ethical. Successful participants join a talent pool that can be tapped by YGG or external projects.
Learn more: What Is Metaversity? Gamified Web3 Learning
Scaling Through Empathy
What sets Kuya Kevs apart is his grassroots, empathetic approach. Reconnecting with old community members, educating current ones, and welcoming new audiences are all core strategies.
He adjusts his language depending on the audience, replacing jargon with relatable terms like "technology" and "online job" instead of "blockchain," "dApp," and other Web3 terms.
“You have to go down to their level... A lot of people don’t know what MetaMask is. So we explain step by step. We help them become familiar. That’s how you build trust.”
Faith, Family, and Focus
For Kuya Kevs, Web3 isn’t just a career shift. It’s a lifestyle aligned with his personal values.
“My biggest win was resigning from real estate and still being able to support my family while doing ministry work.”
As a youth and couples ministry leader, he balances digital work with community service. His time-management secret? The Eisenhower Matrix.
“I focus on what’s important but not urgent... Less is more. You don’t have to do everything. Just the things that matter.”
In an ecosystem often driven by speculation and profit, Kuya Kevs stands out as a reminder that Web3 can be meaningful work. His story is not just about earning from Axie or managing a guild; it’s about transforming digital platforms into communities of growth, support, and purpose.
