MANILA, Philippines (Mar 2025) — Blockchain is hitting the streets of Manila in a way no one saw coming—through fishballs. Philippine Blockchain Week (PBW) is teaming up with Cochi and Kondwi to turn street food into an interactive lesson on cryptocurrency and digital ownership. Dubbed “Blockchain on a Stick,” the pop-up event will make blockchain technology as familiar as a plate of freshly fried fishballs.
At the center of this fusion is celebrity restaurateur Marvin Agustin, known for reinventing Filipino flavors. This time, he’s elevating the humble fishball into a luxury street food experience. But there’s a catch—these fishballs can’t be bought with cash. Instead, attendees must use cryptocurrency via Maya or GCash, giving them a hands-on introduction to digital payments.
More than just a culinary novelty, the fishball experience doubles as a blockchain demonstration. Every purchase is recorded on the blockchain, showcasing how the technology ensures transparency, authenticity, and traceability—principles often linked to finance but now applied to street food.
Each order also comes with a non-fungible token (NFT) minted on Bayanichain, the Philippines’ homegrown blockchain platform. Designed by emerging Filipino artists, these NFTs turn a simple snack into a digital collectible, merging food, art, and technology in a way that makes blockchain more approachable.
The pop-up is part of PBW’s “Decoded” theme, aiming to break down blockchain’s complexity and introduce everyday Filipinos to its real-world applications. Whether for tech enthusiasts or curious foodies, “Blockchain on a Stick” serves up an experience where innovation meets tradition—one bite at a time.
