More Than Just a Thesis Subject: Graduating Students Explores Crypto PH Beyond the Classroom

What started as a simple B-roll shoot turned into a deep dive into the world of crypto.

Joining cryptocurrency enthusiasts, industry leaders, and other participants, communication students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila (PLM) attended the second #CryptoPH Conversations on April 19, 2024, in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. 

What’s the significance? Students attending an IRL event show that the crypto industry in the country is already expanding, highlighting the call for more educational shows and free events.

Editor’s note: The subjects in this article have already defended their thesis and graduated at the university at the time of publication.

Meet the students

The students were Catherine Joy Cariaga, 21, and Jermagne Gabriel Ciego, 20, along with their three other groupmates—Hanziel Adriel Domingo, Thea Marie Angeline Bautista, and Jose Antonio Gabriel. 

• All of them were students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program at PLM. 
• At that time, they were conducting their thesis, which explored cryptocurrency adoption in the Philippines.
• As part of their research, they conducted interviews and interacted with crypto investors primarily located in Taguig City to produce a documentary.
• According to Ciego, while they are communication students trying to immerse in the technical world of web3, they wanted to create a thesis that reflected communication as an applied concept and not just theoretical. 
• Their study also aimed to explore the intersection of communication and cryptocurrency, focusing on the motivation, challenges, and insights of cryptocurrency investors. 

Event Experience

The students’ thesis advisor was BitPinas Editor-in-Chief (EIC) Michael Mislos, whom they met for the first time offline during the event. 

• The students shared that they appreciated Mislos’ assistance in networking within the industry and were thankful for the invitation to participate in #CryptoPH Conversations.
• They intended to gather footage for their documentary and immerse themselves in the physical cryptocurrency community rather than relying on digital communication channels.
• In addition, although their primary intention was academic, Cariaga and Ciego expressed awe at what they experienced at the event.

Zoom Out: The second #CryptoPH Conversations, hosted by BitPinas and featuring prominent figures like Luis Buenaventura and Florin Hilbay, provided insights into the cryptocurrency industry with discussions on Bitcoin halving, regulations, and investment strategies. (Read more: [Recap] Good Food, Dialogue at CryptoPH Conversations Meetup)

Discussion Insights

When asked about their insights into the discussions during the meetup, Cariaga stated that as soon as the talk started, “we really felt that we are one with them.”

• Cariaga was particularly struck by Hilbay’s statement about how “this revolution is so peaceful that it could make the Next Generation wealthy.” 
• Initially, she noted, wealth was often associated with monetary riches and luxury. 
• However, she reflected on the idea that wealth within this industry might encompass a sense of community prosperity, where richness stems from collective empowerment, support, and the technology itself.

“It’s not just about money but s’yempre yung knowledge mo and yung advantage na makukuha mo when you learn to do it… Kapag nakapag-dwell ka na sa kanya (crypto), you’ll realize na parang mas gusto ko na gawin yung crypto because of the technology behind it and not just about money na lang.”

Catherine Joy Cariaga, Student, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila

[Translation: It’s not just about money, but of course, it’s also about your knowledge and the advantage you gain when you learn to do it. When you delve into it (crypto), you’ll realize that you prefer doing crypto because of the technology behind it and not just about money alone.”]

On the other hand, Ciego found Hilbay’s remark particularly impactful, emphasizing Bitcoin’s portrayal as a finite asset, the future of currency, and a potential avenue for wealth redistribution. 

• According to him, this perspective challenged common stereotypes he often hears about cryptocurrency being viewed solely as a quick money-making scheme or fraudulent endeavor.

“Pumunta kami run for b-rolls lang talaga, until slowly na-realize namin na parang, “teka, medyo parang hindi na para sa thesis ‘to, ah. Parang sa atin na ‘to talaga.” Naiintindihan na namin, even the concepts na before ay very alien to us.”

Jermagne Gabriel Ciego, Student, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

[Translation: We initially went there just for the b-rolls, but then we slowly realized that it seemed like, ‘wait, this isn’t just for the thesis anymore. This feels more personal to us.’ We started understanding even the concepts that were once very alien to us.]

The two then highlighted their collective realizations about cryptocurrency:

• Cryptocurrency should not be narrowly perceived as a means for financial gains but rather as a multifaceted entity. 
• While it may be initially seen as a tool for profit, it’s crucial to recognize its broader significance beyond monetary value. 
• Cryptocurrency can be likened to an asset such as real estate, but ultimately, it should be understood as a foundational element within a larger framework.

A Warm Community 

Collectively, the two highlighted how they observed the community’s accuracy and consistency, noting their firsthand experience of the welcoming and positive atmosphere within the crypto community.

“The community we experienced was significant, which is what we’ve been repeatedly observing with the production of our documentary; we meet the same people, we talk about the same thing. Indeed, the crypto community is tight knit, especially in the Philippines.”

Gabriel Ciego, Researcher, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

They also mentioned that the community is inclusive and supportive. Cariaga and Ciego pointed out that the individuals they engaged within the industry, as well as their case studies, have been instrumental in deepening their understanding by providing assistance and valuable resources free of charge.

• The students shared that throughout their interviews with their case studies, they inquired whether, despite the complexities of technology and cryptocurrency, the case studies believed that an average individual could invest and thrive—they all agreed noting that, “you just have to want it.”

“Willing sila magpapasok ng tao sa community… We really appreciate talaga na we were able to go to the event kasi doon we were even able to ask Sir Luis and Dean Hilbay and it’s okay with them kahit parang it’s just a student perspective.”

Catherine Joy Cariaga, Researcher, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila

[They are willing to welcome new members in the community, we really appreciate that we were able to go to the event because we were able to ask Buenaventura and Hilbay, and it is okay with them even if we just have student perspective.”

Further, they noted that the purpose of their documentary is to demystify the intimidating aspects of crypto, which can deter people from exploring it.

• Ciego noted that when they first presented their topic even their professor initially saw it as a scary concept, likened to a monster, so their goal is to show that crypto is harmless and even an opportunity. 
• He emphasized that crypto is just another asset to be traded, representing the next evolution in the approach to money.

This article is published on BitPinas: More Than Just a Thesis Subject: Graduating Students Explores Crypto PH Beyond the Classroom

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