Tony Rebamonte: Web3 is no longer optional

“Don’t tell yourself you’re late to web3,” Tony Rebamonte tells young Filipinos. As the founder of Bitskwela, he’s pushing to make blockchain and crypto understandable, relatable, and career-shaping –  not just a space for the rich or tech-savvy.

“We live in a country that has been deprived of transparency, has been deprived of [decentralization],” Rebamonte told The Crypto Radio at Philippine Blockchain Week. For him, web3 is not just about profit or trends –  it’s about reshaping systems, empowering young people, and creating a culture of ownership.

Rebamonte’s vision is built on what he calls the A-B-C of web3: “The very idea here is just letter A, it's awareness. Letter B, it's adoption, and letter C, I would say the hard push.”

When Bitskwela launched, it began with small Bull or Bear? debates to spark curiosity and gauge public sentiment around crypto. These debates expanded from intimate gatherings to malls and universities, eventually amassing over one million followers  – a striking leap from its early days.

“20 years ago, the idea of the Internet has the same challenge that people were so confused. 'How does the Internet work?' Then boom, 20 years after, people just understand that 'the moment I connect to the internet, I get access to the world',” Rebamonte said, drawing a parallel between past digital revolutions and today’s blockchain evolution.

Engaging Gen Z with web3

Rebamonte has a sharp eye on Gen Z and Gen Alpha, recognizing their natural curiosity about technology and finance. “When we talk about money, students are easily engaged,” he said. Bitskwela taps into that engagement by producing twice-daily educational content, ensuring that the fast-moving world of web3 stays digestible.

But Rebamonte wants students to see beyond just cryptocurrency trading. “We're talking about games, insurance, government-backed stablecoins. There are a lot of things that students, when they hear about web3, they started to realize, 'Oh, there are a lot of careers waiting for me'.”

“Web3 cannot overshadow web2. They can coexist,” Rebamonte says, opening doors to future-ready skills for young Filipinos.

Access, money, and limits

One of Rebamonte’s most honest messages is that in web3 – and technology at large –  no one can master everything. “Don't you know that there are 3 million new informations going in and out? I believe it's more than that, not to mention the informations going on in the dark web,” he said.

Instead of striving for complete control, his advice is simple: “There are things that you will be missing every day. Just let it go.”

This philosophy shapes Bitskwela’s educational approach: deliver what matters now, and prepare learners to stay adaptable. “AI is not there to replace us,” he said. “AI is simply our best friend.”

While Rebamonte is optimistic, he doesn’t shy away from reality. “If you don't have money, this is not for you,” he acknowledged bluntly. The financial barrier to participating in crypto and blockchain is real, especially in countries with economic inequality.

He also warns newcomers not to rush or feel behind. “Don't tell yourself that when you enter web3, you're late. No, you're not. We are just at an infancy stage.” His message is one of patience, caution, and critical thinking in an industry often hyped as the next gold rush.

Building history through web3

For Rebamonte, web3 is not just about financial systems – it’s about reimagining how people interact with the world. “The very goal of web3 is to make our lives easier,” he said. “We're not just talking about finance, we're talking about systems.”

Filipinos, he believes, are positioned to become active players in this global shift. “People enjoy ownership. People enjoy access without a middleman between their assets.” That sense of empowerment drives his team’s work at Bitskwela.

And at its heart, Rebamonte’s journey is both personal and national. “We are creating a history in the Philippines,” he declared with passion.

“If we are left behind, that's okay.” His humility underscores a long-view commitment: it’s not about winning today but about laying the groundwork for future generations.