For just ₱2,500, numerous Filipinos lined up in Bulacan to have their irises scanned by Worldcoin—a project promising a digital identity for the future.
But is it just hype, or should they be worried?
The local magazine show “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS) investigated the allure, the skepticism, and the story behind the controversial biometric scan.
The March 9, 2025, episode of the show introduced various people who lined up for the Worldcoin initiative, bringing their own stories and reasons for doing so.
Meet the Participants
Through the segment, Plaridel resident Jhe Mendoza assisted the KMJS production team in understanding the application process and onsite verification by sharing videos.
He added that they were allowed to back out during the process, but he still went through with it, saying:
“Sayang po talaga yung cash po na reward na makukuha po.”
Elenita and Evangline Serrano, along with their other women family members, are among those skeptical participants; they noted that before they decided to join, they first asked other people to make sure that the project was legit. One of them, Joana Rose Rubio, voiced doubts and hesitation about having to scan her irises in exchange for money
“Easy money nga po talaga, sa hirap ba naman ng buhay sino ba naman ang magbibigay ng ganoong halaga?”
Abigail Doria, one of the participants
One unidentified interviewee at the start of the segment shared that he lined up for the money in Plaridel, Bulacan, as it was a significant amount, especially with his wife about to give birth.
While they had reservations about the iris scanning, including concerns about potential eye irritation or blurred vision, most interviewees said they proceeded with the process for the promised cash, seeing it as extra help for their daily expenses. After waiting a day to convert their $WLD to fiat, they received between ₱2,100 and ₱2,500.
Serrano and her family used the money to supplement their budget, while others invested it in starting a small business.
During the interview, Mendoza reaffirmed the project’s legitimacy and shared that he received 48.50 $WLD (worth around ₱3,400 at the time of recording), which would be distributed monthly over a year. However, it must be noted that cryptocurrency is volatile, and its fiat value may change at any time.
On the other hand, tricycle driver Renato “Henry” Supnit shared that despite completing all the steps and requirements, he still could not withdraw the additional 48.50 $WLD he received.
He expressed concerns that Worldcoin might access his account and take the money. He also feared that his iris scan could be misused for fraudulent activities.
As a result, he decided to delete and uninstall the World app, adding that he no longer expects to receive the monthly payments.
Worldcoin Activities in PH
Prior to the show feature, BitPinas have been following the activities of Worldcoin in Bulacan since January. Moreover, Worldcoin’s expansion in the Philippines has already caught the attention of regulators, prompting the National Privacy Commission (NPC) to clarify data protection rules amid concerns about the storage and use of collected data.
How does it work?
Since January, residents in Bulacan have lined up to participate in Worldcoin’s iris scan verification, scanning their irises to claim WLD tokens. The airdrop campaign also offers extra rewards for referrals.
To obtain a World ID, users must download the World App, locate an Orb, and undergo an iris scan. The Orb converts the scan into a cryptographic code, encrypts the data, and deletes the original image to protect privacy. Once verified, users receive a unique World ID.
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This article is published on BitPinas: KMJS Report: Meet the People Who Lined Up For Worldcoin in Exchange For ₱2,500
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