Chain Stars, powered by Maya, lights up the Philippine Blockchain Week 2025 with Talent, Tech, and Transformation

(Photo of all contestants of both dance and singing division of Chainstars together with the judges) The Philippine Blockchain Week 2025 (PBW) didn’t just talk about the future of tech—it also highlighted arts, music, and entertainment. For two electrifying days, Chain Stars, powered by Maya, dominated Hall 2 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, delivering a genre-bending, crowd-moving fusion of music, dance, and Web3. A brand-new initiative debuting at this year’s PBW, Chain Stars turned Hall 2 into a cultural spectacle where emerging creators took flight—and the next wave of Filipino stars got their moment to shine. Backed by Maya, one of the country’s leading digital financial platforms now embracing Web3, the event highlighted the seamless convergence of culture, community, and crypto. A Hall of Experiences (Photo of Indie Rising performer, CUCAY Pagdilao) Held inside PBW’s Hall 2, Chain Stars was just one part of a multi-sensory ecosystem. Hall 2 visitors also explored: Indie Rising: Super Tech Week Edition – a discovery platform for emerging musicians. Close Friends Only Creator Meet-Up & Sale – a fan-favorite hangout for content creators and celebrities, packed with limited-edition merch and surprise appearances. In a week packed with global keynotes and cutting-edge tech reveals, Chain Stars reminded everyone that innovation is also emotional, expressive, and rooted in community. From pop ballads to breaking beats, Chain Stars captured the essence of what PBW 2025 stood for: creativity meets connectivity, and the future is powered by people and platforms like Maya. Where Web3 Meets the World of Entertainment Chain Stars wasn’t your typical talent showdown. Instead, it was a high-energy cultural showcase powered by the Center for Pop Music Philippines and the World Supremacy Battlegrounds (WSB)—two creative powerhouses in the local and global performance scene. For the vocal showdown, PBW attendees witnessed the vocal prowess of young singers mentored by the country’s premier music training institution. From original songs to powerful pop covers, the Singing Showdown stirred the crowd and filled the hall with applause. (From left to right: Photo of Chain Stars Judges: Jancent Milante, Dize Akira, Kenjhons “Mr. Mainit” Serrano,  Mr. Julian Singson, Ms. Rowena Lauron) Sharing the stage with the singing competition, the Dance Battle, a PBW-exclusive edition of  WSB’s CHAMPIONS TOUR, celebrated street dance at its rawest and realest. Soloists and hip-hop crews brought fire to the floor, judged by no less than dance legends Kenjhons “Mr. Mainit” Serrano, Dize Akira, and Jancent Milante. Culture, Code, and Collectibles True to its Web3 spirit, Chain Stars integrated technology into every beat. Select competing dance crews—especially those representing the Philippines globally—were minted into exclusive WSB COLLECTIBLES, giving fans the chance to own a piece of the performance through NFTs. The stage also featured a Blockchain Introduction Talk, giving first-time PBW-goers a beginner-friendly gateway into decentralization, smart contracts, and tokenized economies—underscoring the event’s goal of making Web3 accessible, practical, and inspiring. Spotlight on Talent: Rising Stars Take Center Stage and Shine Bright One of the most anticipated highlights of the Chain Stars Stage was the electrifying singing competition that brought the house down and put a spotlight on exceptional homegrown talent. After a series of powerful performances, three individuals emerged as this year’s standouts—earning not only applause from the crowd but also life-changing prizes that support their artistic journey. (From left to right: Grand Winner John Yhel Gabonada, Second Place Winner Shedric Basilio, Third Place Winner Aubrey Tato) Grand Winner John Yhel Gabonada wowed the judges and audience alike, securing the top spot with a performance that showcased raw talent and stage mastery. For his outstanding win, he received ₱10,000 in cash, a recording deal with MAS Music Group, and a 12-session face-to-face scholarship in Voice & Stage Performance—an incredible opportunity to sharpen his skills under professional guidance. He also received a Certificate of Recognition, marking this milestone moment in his musical career. Second Place Winner Shedric Basilio earned the judges’ admiration with a heartfelt performance, taking home ₱5,000 in cash, along with a 6-session online scholarship in Voice Training to further develop his vocal abilities. He was also awarded a Certificate of Recognition. Third Place Winner Aubrey Tato impressed the crowd with her stage presence and vocal range, winning ₱3,000 in cash and a 3-session online Voice Training scholarship to continue honing her craft. She too received a Certificate of Recognition. Among the dynamic activities at PBW 2025, the Champions Tour stood out as a crowd-puller, featuring competitions across five distinct divisions: Solo, Pocket Rocket, Varsity, Open, and Monster. From technical showcases to high-energy performances, the tour gave builders, gamers, and creatives a platform to shine—turning PBW into not just a showcase, but a proving ground for the next generation of Web3 champions. (Group photo of Chain Stars’ Varsity Division Champion, The Chippettes) The Chippettes took home the victory in the Varsity division, bringing energy and flair that captivated the audience. (Group photo of Chain Stars’ Open Division Champion, OBS Fuego Eterno) OBS Fuego Eterno conquered the Open division with a commanding performance that stood out among fierce competition. (Photo of winners of Chain Stars’ Pocket Rocket Division, Monster Division, and Solo Division) John Paul Trelles emerged as the winner in the Solo division, impressing judges and audiences alike with his standout performance. In the Pocket Rocket division, The Comrades claimed the top spot with their powerful and coordinated act. Rounding out the event, Ruthless Comrades dominated the Monster division, delivering an electrifying performance worthy of the title. Visit Champions Tours’ Facebook page to see the latest updates. Partners and Acknowledgments Philippine Blockchain Week 2025 is made possible in collaboration with Co-hosts Blockchain Council of the Philippines and 9CAT Group of Thailand. Our Gold Sponsors–OKX Wallet, ONCHAIN®, Political Pump. Silver Sponsors–DvCode Technologies Inc., Maya, Venom. Bronze Sponsors–Celo Philippines, Chatoshi AI, Coins.Ph, MEXC Ventures, StrayShot, Worldcoin, XChain Foundation, XDC Network. Lastly, we wanted to thank both International and local media partners– 0X Consulting, 0X Media, Altcoin Observer, Astig.ph, BD Venture,Bitcoin Addict Thailand, Bitcoin.com, BitDigest, Blockly, Blockchain Reporter, Block Tempo, Business World, Buzz Beat Media, Cignal Play, Coin Edition, Coin Gecko, CoinGeek, CoinMarke tCap, Coin Telegraph, Coinvestasi, Coinkami, Coinpedia, Coins Telegram, Crypto Fight Night, crypto.news, The Crypto Radio, CryptoNewsZ, CRYPTONITEUAE, Cryptovate, DiscoverMNL, Doric Network, DOOH, DTC Group, Feixiaohao, Finlaunch News, Foresignt News, ICOHOLDER, Philippine Daily Inquirer and INQUIRER.net, Jinse Finance, Lydian Labs, M Post, Malaysia Blockchain Week, Manila Bulletin,The Manila Times, Museigen.io, NameCoinNews, NEN Digital, NewsWatch Plus, Plumdale Co, Puke Cast, Puke Cast TH, Sigma AIBC,TNC The New Channel, The Philippine STAR, Times of Blockchain, UseTheBitcoin.com, WazzupPilipinas.com, Web3.TV, WhenInManila.com, ZEX PR WIRE.