Digital art continues to grow globally with the Philippines rising as an emerging market for artists and collectors. A study by Finder in 2022, showed that the Philippines ranked seventh in the world for NFT (non-fungible token) adoption.
Filipinos can now explore the world of NFTs, as GCash, the #1 Finance Super App, introduces the GCrypto NFT Hub. Users can now easily discover and purchase NFT art, and support their favorite homegrown artists.
GCash has partnered with homegrown NFT marketplace, Likha, and the popular art gallery, Vinyl on Vinyl, for the release of its first GCrypto NFT collection: The House of Ohlala, from Filipino contemporary artist, Reen Barrera.
“We are thrilled to partner with the esteemed artist, Reen Barrera, for his first ever NFT collection as we unveil the new GCrypto NFT Hub,” said Jong Layug, GCash Head of Wealth Management. “Through the GCrypto NFT Hub, we hope to provide Filipino artists a platform to bring their digital art to a wider audience, while also enabling more Filipinos access to buy their first NFT art.”
“I personally use GCash on a daily basis, and for sure, a lot of Filipinos also trust the app for their hard earned money. To acquire NFT, you need a digital currency. And what’s the most trusted e-wallet app? It’s GCash,” said Reen Barrera. “For someone like me who’s afraid to venture into something new like NFTs, I would be at ease knowing that I’m with a company I trust.”
During the House of Ohlala launch in The Astbury, Makati, hosted by NFT enthusiast Mikael Daez, members of the NFT and art community came together to celebrate, and get first dibs on Barrera’s first NFT collection.
Barrera’s NFT project features a collection of 1,000 NFTs built on the Polygon blockchain, with each NFT being sold for 80 MATIC. The House of Ohlala includes unique utility features. NFT holders have a chance to win one of the four Ohlala statues to be raffled every quarter, they can gain exclusive access to artwork and merchandise, and get to join a whitelist for future collections. Owners of the 10 editions of 1 of 1 NFTs will also receive free Giclee prints of their digital collectible.
The collection is based on Barrera’s most popular character, Ohlala, who is a soft commentary on socio-economic classes. Ohlala’s head is covered in canvas cloth to symbolize that each one of us, no matter our economic backgrounds, has the ability to design our own fates. Ohlala’s face is also decorated with symbols and patterns, based on the idiom “it is written all over your face.”
The GCrypto NFT Hub will feature digital art created by famous and up-and-coming local artists, such as National Artist Larry Alcala through a partnership with Scarletbox.io, Superordinary Friends x TRNZ, and Monster Mayhem by Distort Monsters. Upcoming collections include artworks by contemporary artist Bitto, and national artists Botong Francisco and Vicente Manansala.
Are you ready to own your first NFT artwork and discover more artists? Get first dibs on curated and legitimate NFTs through the GCrypto NFT Hub (https://www.gcash.com/services/gcrypto/nft)! Kaya Mo. I-GCash Mo.
