From Dinuguan to Lutong Gulay, everything has Gata, and that’s how I, and Shiela, grew up in Bicolano families.
- For context, Shiela Marie Bertillo, BitPinas’ Head Writer, is from Legazpi, Albay, while I am from Virac, Catanduanes.
And for both of us, it was our first time. Our first time going to Bicol not for vacation, but for work—to fulfill our obligations as journalists to record what is happening in the #CryptoPH Community.
Join us, who were born and raised in Manila but Oragon by blood, in capturing the vibrant crypto community of Bicolandia!
Day 1: The Departure, September 6, 2024
To be honest, both of us are nervous. Though it was not our first time traveling without our EIC, Michael Mislos, as we already covered events in Bataan, Cabanatuan City, and Baguio City all by ourselves, we knew that it was going to be a long ride.
We started traveling at 6:30 p.m. through the Bicol Isarog bus transit, and I want to commend their chair, as it was comfortable.
It was at 5:30 in the morning the next day when we arrived at the Naga City bus terminal.
Day 2: The Event, September 7, 2024
You will not believe it, but me and Shiela slept and rested since we arrived in Naga City. We mean it, a 12-hour drive was long, and we also admit that we are not young anymore, masasakit na ang balakang namin!
At 6:00 p.m., we went to our main mission—covering the first-ever Bicol Traders Meet 2024 at Avenue Plaza Hotel.
We were welcomed by the genuine team of Cheerz, a Bicol-based studio that is in charge of registration and documentation of the event.
As we entered the function hall, we were surprised that the attendees were already there. Not gonna lie, in Manila, we are used to things that are always late. Like, the IRL events here are usually scheduled at 7:00 p.m., and the program will start at 8:00 p.m. because the attendees are late.
As the program started at around 6:30 p.m., I was delighted by Ownly CEO Ismael Jerusalem’s Bicol Crypto Community Report. We were so amazed at how he story-told that way back in the 2017s, there were only 10 attendees every time there was an IRL crypto meetup. The Bicol Crypto Ecosystem was also expanding, according to his presentation.
Another thing that amazed me was that the event was attended and supported by the government. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Camarines Sur Office and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region V expressed their interest in supporting the blockchain technology and web3 community.
Lastly, the Bicol-based crypto organizations, by hook and crook, did their best to survive the past market cycle.
Meanwhile, the panel discussion is so diverse. From Coach Miranda’s wisdom, to Sparkpoint CEO Harvey Javier’s technicalities, to MGG COO Morris Perico’s deep experience, and to OKX Country Manager for PH Allen San Miguel’s advice, together with Ownly CEO Ismael Jerusalem’s joke as moderator, I can say that the panel’s combination of knowledge and understanding is as good as the Team USA Basketball Team chemistry.
I am also amazed that Coach Miranda has a Bicol community. Indeed, communities play a crucial role in KOLs and projects.
The attendee’s groupie was something to remember; it was a rare experience that the attendees stayed until the end of the program.
But for me personally, there was something that I will never forget at this Naga event—my first time interviewing people who move the #CryptoPH Community forward. This was the reason why me and Shiela were nervous, because our EIC was not with us on this trip, which meant that we would be the ones to do the interview.
And yes, while we know that we can, we are used to being behind the camera. That is why it was a first experience for me, a breakthrough for me who is used to being alone and quiet at all times.
At the end of the event, we knew that our mission was fulfilled. Thank you for Ismael Jerusalem, who helped us cover the event smoothly.
Day 3: The Gala, September 8, 2024
We woke up late as we still felt the pagod. However, we want to enjoy the good things of Naga City.
The first thing that we visited was the Jesse Robredo Museum, where we learned the life and heroism of his excellency.
Our next stop was at the Our Lady of Penafrancia Minor Basilica, which was having a side event that day for its upcoming feast, and not gonna lie, there was a traffic.
We also went to SM Naga, bought some neck pillows for our travel back home, and enjoyed the busy view.
Lastly, we went to the public market to buy some pasalubong and the known Toasted Siopao.
Day 4: Went Back Home, September 9, 2024
At around 11 a.m., we finally went back home.
With a tired body, we knew we had a wonderful journey at Naga City. The memories, the community, the feast, and the legacy,
DIOS MABALOS SAINDO GABOS, NAGA!
This article is published on BitPinas: BitPinas at the Heart of Bicol: The Vibrant Crypto Oragons In-Pictures
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