Numerous Filipinos Lined Up in Bulacan to Have Their Irises Scanned by Worldcoin Promising a Digital Identity for the Future

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.

A project that offers a digital identity in exchange for having one’s iris scanned has arrived in the Philippines, and it drew long lines of participants in Bulacan.

But is it just hype, or should people be worried? Local magazine show “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS) looked into the allure, the skepticism, and the story behind the project.

The March 9, 2025, episode of the show introduced viewers to various people who lined up for the Worldcoin initiative, bringing their own stories and reasons for doing so.

Jhe Mendoza, a resident of Plaridel, assisted the KMJS production team in understanding the application process and onsite verification by sharing videos he made. He applied through an online link and submitted the required documents, including a valid ID and a photo. Afterward, he received an email invitation for the verification process at Plaridel Municipal Hall.

At the venue, they were asked to present the email invitation and the same ID used during registration. After scanning a QR code on the invitation, a Worldcoin staff member cross-checked the details and assigned a number to those present. They were then asked to proceed to a van, where another staff member scanned their irises using a specialized device called an Orb.

Mendoza said they could have backed out during any stage of the process, but he chose to continue.

“Sayang po talaga yung cash po na reward na makukuha po.”

He said he received 48.50 $WLD, 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. At the time of recording, the $WLD tokens were valued at around $7 each, and after converting them to pesos at a cryptocurrency exchange, he received around ₱2,100 to ₱2,500.

Serrano and her family used the money to supplement their budget, while others invested it in starting a small business.

On the other hand, tricycle driver Renato “Henry” Supnit said that even though he completed all the steps and requirements, he could not withdraw the additional 48.50 $WLD he received.

He said he had concerns that Worldcoin might access his account and take the money. He also had worries about his iris scan being misused for fraudulent activities.

Due to these worries, he said he decided to delete and uninstall the World app and that he no longer expects to receive the monthly payments.

Worldcoin’s Expansion In PH

Prior to the show feature, BitPinas has been following the activities of Worldcoin in Bulacan since January.

Moreover, Worldcoin’s expansion in the Philippines has already prompted regulators to intervene. The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has moved to clarify data protection rules amid concerns about how the collected data will be stored and used.

After scanning their irises at Plaridel Municipal Hall in January, participants were asked to wait a day before going to a nearby supermarket to convert their $WLD tokens to fiat currency.

At the supermarket, a staff member from a cryptocurrency exchange set up a small table to assist participants in converting their tokens. They were asked to present the email invitation they received for the iris scanning. After scanning a QR code on the invitation, the exchange staff provided instructions on how to proceed with the conversion process using the exchange’s app.

The exchange staff also answered questions from participants about the conversion process and any difficulties they encountered. After completing the conversion, participants received cash in pesos, which varied slightly depending on the exchange rate at the time.