The Filipino actor and restaurateur Marvin Agustin has partnered with Philippine Blockchain Week (PBW) 2025 to launch “FishBlock.” The project debuts ahead of the June 10–14 event at SMX Convention Center Manila, transforming the classic fishball into a tech-inspired treat. 

FishBlock Details

Agustin’s gourmet fishballs, shaped like blockchain blocks, showcase regional Filipino flavors:

• Luzon’s sisig-style with oysters
• Visayas’ humba-style with mushrooms, and
• Mindanao’s pastil-style with duck.

Available at Agustin’s restaurants, Cochi (Taguig) and Kondwi (Makati), FishBlock aims to make blockchain technology more relatable through food.

Each FishBlock dish costs 1,000 KikiCat (Kiki) tokens, equivalent to 350 PHP. Customers must pay exclusively through cryptocurrency through GCash’s GCrypto.

Note: Kiki is a memecoin project that is a sponsor of the upcoming Philippine Blockchain Week. As of writing, the Kiki tokens are not available in GCrypto.

Beyond the meal, buyers receive a non-fungible token (NFT) minted on Bayanichain, a proudly Filipino blockchain platform. Designed by up-and-coming Filipino artists, these NFTs serve as limited-edition collectibles, blending food with digital ownership.

Blockchain for Business

FishBlock represents a growing trend of using blockchain to enhance business operations and customer experiences locally. Agustin’s chosen network, Bayanichain, has partnered with local government units to improve their services.

PBW 2025 builds on this vision through its upcoming event theme, “Decoded.” The initiative aims to make tech more accessible so local players can harness its benefits.

FishBlock is more than just a food venture; it demonstrates how blockchain can transform everyday experiences into distinctive and verifiable ones.

Criticisms

Despite its creativity, FishBlock hasn’t escaped scrutiny.

The global NFT market has cooled significantly since its 2021 peak. While blockchain has uses, tying a food item to a digital token feels gimmicky.

Questions also surround using crypto-only payments, which might alienate everyday Filipinos unfamiliar with blockchain.