The authors of “Opening the Archipelago: The Story of Blockchain in the Philippines” and the publishing house Bookshelf PH have donated P250,000 to the Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation to help the facility provide health care from quality to his patients.

The amount came from the proceeds of the book written by UnionBank Senior Executive Vice President Henry R. Aguda, UnionBank Senior Vice President Catherine Anne B. Casas, and Atty. Nathan Marassigan. It was published by Bookshelf PH, one of the country’s up-and-coming publishing houses.

The donation was delivered to UnionBank Plaza in Ortigas Center, just weeks after the book was published. PGH Medical Foundation Administrative Officer Victor Querubin Zoleta received the check from Aguda, Casas and Bookshelf PH Co-Founder Monette Quiogue.

Casas shared that the success of the blockchain allowed them to help the foundation. Being able to help the country at the height of the pandemic was one of the reasons that inspired the authors to write the book, in addition to their advocacy to share their knowledge to help Filipinos improve, enabling them to adapt. quickly to changing times.

“‘Opening the Archipelago’ shows that there is clear potential for growth in the blockchain scene in the Philippines. We believe that mass adoption of blockchain is inevitable. In the meantime, why not strengthen the impact of the book helping our heroes through the PGH Medical Foundation today?” she said.

On the other hand, Aguda pointed out that blockchain could potentially change local industries such as banking or healthcare.

“In the book, there is a part where we explain how blockchain improves healthcare. On the one hand, the secure and decentralized nature of blockchain can make it easier for nurses and doctors to exchange patient information on a single, trusted platform,” he said.

“Opening the Archipelago” was released to steer the general public towards a deeper understanding of blockchain technology by exploring how it works and how different Filipino startups/projects are using it. The three parts of the book describe the foundations of blockchain, the innovations it builds, and the regulatory environment around it.

In the meantime, the donation was also made possible with the help of Bookshelf PH. Bookshelf PH works with people looking to self-publish and any brands/organizations looking to commission a book. The publishing house offers a multitude of services such as publishing, book printing on demand and marketing.

“Whether through the book or the donation, we’re just happy to have a positive impact,” Quiogue said.

The funds will help the PGH Foundation purchase medical-grade equipment and supplies. The organization played an important role in helping to protect frontliners during the height of the global health crisis.

“The pandemic has obviously shown us how crucial it is to have strong and robust hospitals. This donation ensures that PGH remains a place where people can go for quality service,” Zoleta said.