It started as fiction, a concept in a dystopic cyberpunk novel where software and a global fiber-optic network were able to build a computer-generated virtual world. Earnest Cline called it the "metaverse" in his 1992 book Snow Crash. Fast forward to 2022, and it is becoming a reality.   

Metaverse is defined as a simulated digital environment that combines the functionalities of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), blockchain, and social media. It is where people can gather simultaneously, talk and mingle, and do activities together without leaving their homes.   

The entire metaverse structure remains under development, but countries worldwide, including the Philippines, are realizing its potential amid the challenges communities are facing.

Metaverse as the New Spot During the Pandemic  

When Covid-19 hit, the world turned upside down. Lockdowns halted transportation, made businesses shut down, and forced people to stay home. Work from home became the new setup while those who lost their jobs struggled to find an alternative source of income. Relationships got tested, and careers that relied on in-person events and gigs plummeted.   

However, while a flurry of confusion over dealing with the pandemic blanketed communities, the metaverse became a welcome opportunity to resume life. By resembling and simulating real-life events, the metaverse allows users to navigate a virtual world in their avatar forms to do their daily businesses. They can meet their friends, attend parties, join contests, sell products or services, and shop using cryptocurrency.  

Companies branched out of Zoom calls. They began building their virtual work environments where employees can design their stations, hold their meetings in the conference room, and gather for a chat in the pantry just like they used to.   

Even musicians and bands started holding 3D virtual concerts to keep their fans entertained and connected in their homes. Brands have also increased their virtual presence, with some creating digital fashion designs. All these occur in the metaverse, a decentralized platform that merges the virtual and the physical worlds.

Metaverse as the Source of Income for Filipinos  

During the pandemic's peak, the Philippines saw a record-high unemployment rate of 17.6% in April 2020 as many businesses and companies had to downsize. The difficulty of finding a source of income introduced many Filipinos to the blockchain aspect of the metaverse, which is called "play-to-earn" games.   

One famous example is Axie Infinity, where players trade, breed, and fight digital creatures called Axies and earn money when they win battles. In fact, the Philippines recorded the highest number of daily active players globally at about 40%. By playing the game every day, a player can earn around P20,000 to P40,000 a month, a significant help for anyone struggling with the pandemic's economic impact.   

With the country reeling from the pandemic and the jobs industry adapting to the new normal, Recruitday is another company that seeks to tap its ability to help professionals succeed. Focusing on the tech jobs market, Recruitday will open its 24/7 tech talent space set in the metaverse, the first of its kind in the Philippines.

The platform, which will open on June 10, 2022, aims to give tech job seekers, fresh graduates, career shifters, and experts a chance to immerse themselves in a new and interactive environment and build a community. There are many activities, resources to access, and tech career opportunities to grab during the event.  

Read More: Welcome to Recruitday Metaverse: The Future of Career Building  

One advantage of the metaverse is its decentralized nature, which means that no single organization controls and owns its data. It takes away the power from giant corporations. It gives users a safer and more private platform to do their transactions, making it an attractive place for Filipinos to earn and build their careers.   

The metaverse remains new to the ordinary Filipino, but it is seen to push society further into digital innovation. It is neither fiction nor just a concept anymore. A new era of social interactions is now within people’s reach, and there are so many possibilities it offers.

Ready to join a tech workforce of driven and motivated professionals? Check the available tech jobs in your chosen track, register in training courses to upskill, or refer your friends and earn today.

MAY 23, 2022

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