In a room full of students, Rod Albores posed a challenge that went beyond grades and graduation: What are you doing to solve real-world problems?
Many students graduate thinking their degree is their golden ticket. But the reality is different. In a fast-changing world where technology is reshaping how value is created and shared, those who thrive are not just those with diplomas—but those with initiative.
During Ateneo de Davao University’s SBG Week 2025, a powerful message was delivered. Not from a professor, but from someone building the future hands-on.
Rod Albores, founder of RER DAO and peaq ambassador for the Philippines, urged students to rethink what success looks like in the Web3 era. According to him, academic excellence is not enough. It is time to build real-world skills and use them to create something that matters.
The skills that matter now
Rod challenged students to step outside passive learning and start actively shaping their futures. For him, the goal is not just to land a job but to solve problems with lasting impact.
"We have been sticking to passive learning. Dapat, we should be engaging in real world solutions."
Web3, he explained, offers young people a unique opportunity to do just that. With decentralized platforms and tools now more accessible than ever, it is possible to launch projects, test ideas, and join global conversations even while still in school.
But it requires a different kind of preparation. Rod listed essential skills such as negotiation, leadership, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, time management, and professionalism. These are rarely taught in classrooms but they are what separate those who build from those who wait.
Startups, side projects, and social impact
Rod’s advice to the next generation is clear. Build something. Whether it is a small startup, a platform to serve your barangay, or a tokenized project to solve a local issue, what matters is that it creates value.
"If your proposal creates a value... It is not anymore just aesthetics."
At RER DAO, Rod helps support and incubate ideas that serve real communities. Projects like Waste2Earn, which rewards proper garbage segregation, show how Web3 can meet everyday needs. These are not Silicon Valley ideas. They are born from local challenges.
And the invitation is open. Rod and his team are ready to support those who come forward with ideas worth building. Whether through mentorship, fundraising, or community connections, the tools are there. What is needed is the courage to begin.
Web3 is waiting for builders
The most urgent message Rod left the students with is that timing matters. Most of the world still does not understand or use Web3. That means young people today have the advantage of being early.
"Only 5% of the total population globally are into Web3... Meaning, you are early adopters of this."
Rod sees this not just as an opportunity but as a responsibility. Because those who understand this space early have the power to shape how it grows. And the future of Web3 should not be decided solely by foreign companies or billionaires. It should be shaped by Filipinos solving Filipino problems with global potential.
