You don’t need to be a developer to thrive in Web3. Sometimes, the biggest opportunities start by simply showing up.
In Web3, the word "builder" often evokes images of coders working late nights, writing smart contracts and launching new protocols. But what if you could become a key contributor without a technical background?
That is exactly what happened to Christ Marlon Otohan, also known in the blockchain world as Marix Gaming. His journey into Web3 started not through code, but through curiosity, community, and consistency.
Before joining the crypto space, Christ was a Mobile Legends streamer with a modest following on Facebook under the name Marix Gaming. In 2013, he stumbled across a TV segment on Bitcoin. Intrigued, he began researching. But it was not until 2020 that his journey accelerated. He realized he needed more than solo learning. He needed a space to belong.
The Moment That Changed Everything
That space appeared in the form of Davao DeFi Community (DDC), a grassroots blockchain community in the Philippines. He discovered them through a Facebook post about a local Solana Ecosystem Call. He attended out of curiosity and kept coming back. His eagerness to participate stood out.
“Why are there so many questions from this guy?”
That was the reaction of the organizers. But instead of being dismissed, he was invited to help out. By the third meetup, he was volunteering and later became a core part of the organizing team. Eventually, he joined DevCore, Davao DeFi’s developer group. Even though he was not a developer, he helped drive events and explain tech concepts in simple ways.
“I joined then there are lots of opportunities kasi pag may mga communities lalo na kung na-build na yung communities may traction na sa mga projects.” (I joined because when communities are established, they gain traction for projects.)
Building Without Coding
Christ’s story is not about mastering blockchain overnight. It is about showing up, learning by doing, and building relationships. He credits local communities for opening doors and providing mentorship that led to new roles, including his current position as Global Culture Ambassador for ZetaChain's Discord.
At ZetaChain, he now helps onboard new users and explain what omni-chain really means. He also creates fun, practical use cases. One of those? Deploying his own meme token—without needing any developer experience.
“Hindi ako developer... pero ang dali kong nideploy yung token ko kasi built-in na yung pwede mong gawin doon sa platform.” (I’m not a developer, but I was able to deploy my token easily because the platform had built-in tools.)
Lessons for Anyone New to Web3
Christ’s story proves that the most valuable currency in Web3 is not always technical skill. Sometimes, it is about being present, being curious, and joining the right communities.
For anyone feeling unsure about how to begin in Web3, his journey is a reminder that you do not have to have it all figured out. You just have to start somewhere.
Sometimes, showing up is the first step that changes everything.
