A joint talent development initiative by YGG Pilipinas and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has successfully trained 50 individuals in the Move programming language for the Sui blockchain. The program, supported by the Sui Foundation, aims to equip participants with skills for the global digital economy.
The residency targeted a high-potential cohort in the MIMAROPA region, drawing 127 participants who were mostly third-year or higher computer science students. While technically skilled, 76 percent had no prior exposure to blockchain, confirming the program’s role in closing a critical skill gap. Despite a demanding curriculum, the cohort achieved a 40% completion rate for the voluntary program.
The program’s final week was severely disrupted by Typhoon Tino, which struck Puerto Princesa, causing power loss and internet disruption. The cohort’s decision to continue despite the challenges became a key takeaway.
James Wing, Head of AAA Gaming Partnerships at Mysten Labs, the first contributor to Sui, praised the graduates’ dedication, noting the program yielded “unique, innovative products that we wouldn’t have thought of before.” Wing emphasized that the experience highlights the value of builders who can adapt:
“It’s a testament to their perseverance: being able to adapt on the fly, especially with something as significant as not having internet. There is always going to be huge demand for builders who can adapt like these guys have proven they can do,” he stated.
The capstone competition required teams to design and pitch a working prototype on the Sui blockchain focused on creating a verifiable way to recognize community contributions. The winning team, The Scouts, created Campfire, an NFT-based community platform designed to digitize certificates and gamify achievements.
Two members of the winning team, Nicholo Dela Rosa and JK Rabanal, were recognized and flown to Manila to present their project at the YGG Play Summit.
The successful pilot demonstrates how regional hubs can be used to deliver scalable blockchain education across the country, directly supporting the DICT’s mission to create 8 million digital jobs by 2028. The DICT and YGG Pilipinas concluded that the success “marks the beginning of long-term pathways for Filipinos to thrive in the global digital economy.”