SEC Chair and Former DICT USec top awardees
Manila, Philippines, 11th June 2025—The Block Awards 2025 returns with greater ambition and a fresh format, recognizing the remarkable individuals and organizations propelling blockchain technology into the mainstream in the Philippines.
Organized annually by the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the Block Awards celebrates the extraordinary impact of blockchain on industries, communities, and everyday life. This year’s event introduced new categories including Regional, Community and Brand Awards, plus the highly anticipated Youth Excellence Awards signalling a deliberate push to encourage young innovators and to expand blockchain’s reach nationwide.
The 2025 recipients of the Block Awards Leader of the Year for Private and Government sectors, are Former Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) USec Jocelle Batapa Sigue and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Emilio Aquino, respectively.
Says SEC Chair Aquino, “This award tells me that the effort to innovate—especially in government—is worth it. That learning never ends. And that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but being the one who listens, studies, and takes the first step forward.”
On her award, private citizen Jocelle Sigue shares, “This recognition is not merely for me. It is for every leader who dedicates their time to truly listen to the whispers of innovation, to the needs of our communities, and to the aspirations of our nation. It is for my fellow awardees, whose tireless efforts continue to illuminate the path forward. And it is for every single one of you who, despite the odds, refuses to give up on the promise and potential of this country.”
Other winners include:
Best Web3 Customer Experience: CoinsPH
Blockchain Educator of the Year: Coach Miranda Miner
Luzon Blockchain Champion: Eliezer Rabadon
Visayas Blockchain Champion: Kookoo Crypto
Mindanao Blockchain Champion: Davao Defi Community
Most Innovative Blockchain Project: Pitaka.io
Outstanding Web3 Community: Cryptita Plays
Web3 Youth Advocate: Gelo Wong
A jury panel led by Luis Buenaventura of GCash, and composed of past Block Awards winners Gail Macapagal Cruz of DTaka, Alvin Wong of Maya, Mia Rocha Lauchengco of Galeria Paloma and Jiro Reyes of Bitskwela carefully selected this year’s honorees. Also making its debut, the selection process opened voting to public participation to add an inclusive and community-driven layer to the awards.
For the jury, this year’s event is special. “We’re always excited to see a diverse set of nominees each year at the blockchain awards, and are humbled by the contributions both great and small from all corners of our vibrant ecosystem,” shares Buenaventura.
On its second year in 2023, the traditional award made way for exclusive NFT trophies—unique digital artworks created in collaboration with ScarletBox and curated by Sheree Gotuaco, BCP Trustee. This year, Block Awardees each received a rare fusion of legacy and innovation: one-of-one artworks that merge the bold abstraction of National Artist Jose Joya with the expressive strokes of his grandnephew Andre Baldovino. Each unique piece is crafted as a museum-grade giclée print, framed and built to last over a hundred years
Block Award 2025 is about creating a national platform that not only celebrates blockchain excellence, but also uplifts the educators, builders, communities, and advocates shaping the future of Web3 in the Philippines.
“The Block Awards is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. Every honoree represents the growing movement to make blockchain part of our everyday lives, from government systems to grassroots communities. As the world moves deeper into the digital age, the Philippines must not just follow, but lead. We honor innovation not for novelty’s sake, but because it builds trust, creates value, and shapes a better future for all Filipinos,” adds Donald Lim, President, Blockchain Council of the Philippines.
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