Gawad Madiskarte Celebrates Five Years of Heart, Hustle, and Community

     PLDT Home and Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) mark a milestone this year as they celebrate five years of empowering Filipina mompreneurs – women who lead with heart, hustle, and ingenuity. From humble beginnings during the pandemic, the movement has grown into a thriving community of over 215,000 members, with more than 25,000 mompreneurs trained, equipped, and inspired to build businesses that uplift families and transform communities. 

     This year, MMPH brings back Gawad Madiskarte, the annual awards ceremony that honors exceptional Filipina mompreneurs who embody leadership, compassion, and innovation. More than just awards, Gawad Madiskarte has become a powerful platform for uplifting women whose creativity and determination transform not only their families, but also their communities—and the nation.

Gawad Madiskarte Celebrates Five Years of Heart, Hustle, and Community

Turning Dreams Into Reality: My Personal Sakses Story with PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid

     Home is where hustle meets heart, and where true success begins. That’s why, when I was given the opportunity to become a stay-at-home mom, I embraced it wholeheartedly. It wasn’t an easy decision as some of my personal plans and dreams had to be set aside, but the joy of witnessing my son blossom each day was simply irreplaceable. Years later, another door opened, and I proudly stepped into the role of a work-at-home mom. My first side hustle was digital content creation, and today, fueled by passion and the desire to build something tangible, I took a leap of faith and opened my very own waffle and brew corner.

     Balancing family, finances, and my hustle has never been easy. There were moments when bills piled up, responsibilities at home became overwhelming, and I still had to find the energy to push through with my dreams. Running a food business added another layer of challenge. Early mornings to prepare ingredients, late nights counting sales, and days when foot traffic was slow, and I questioned if I had made the right choice. There were times when I worried about food spoilage, rising supply costs, and whether I could keep up with the demands of both my family and my business. But in between the struggles came small yet meaningful wins: seeing a customer return for their favorite drink, hearing compliments about the cozy space I built from scratch, and watching sales slowly but surely grow. Those moments reminded me that every ounce of effort was worth it. Instead of giving up, I chose to take things one step at a time and find my own diskarte by balancing the sacrifices with the joy of creating something that not only supports my family but also brings happiness to others.

 Turning Dreams Into Reality: My Personal Sakses Story with PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid

From Dream to Triumph: Celebrating the Journey of a Madiskarte Mom!

     You’ve gone from sketching out your business plan, to launching your dream, to scoring your first sales—congratulations, Mommy! You’ve done it. Your hard work and sleepless nights have finally paid off. You bravely set your fears and doubts aside, and leaned heavily on prayer—and here you are. 

     Launching your own business is far from easy. It demands thoughtful planning, unwavering faith, and real investment.Think of it as your learning curve—full of wobbling attempts, unexpected bumps, and valuable lessons. There will be moments filled with doubt and the urge to quit—but your passion and resilience will keep you going.

From Dream to Triumph: Celebrating the Journey of a Madiskarte Mom!

     Once business operations are firmly established, entering reputable business awards becomes a strategic necessity—serving as third-party validation, boosting credibility, visibility, and trust among customers, partners, and investors; research shows that 75% of consumers prefer award-winning businesses, 70% of businesses report increased publicity, 41% experience immediate revenue growth after winning, and 80% of employees feel more motivated when their company is recognized (Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce). Add to that heightened media and PR opportunities that extend beyond the award night, delivering long-lasting brand exposure and competitive differentiation.

From Dream to Triumph: Celebrating the Journey of a Madiskarte Mom!
Winners of Gawad Madiskarte 2024

     Awards aren’t just about the cash prize —they are catalysts for connection, recognition, and growth, especially once a business is firmly established. Earning a nomination alone can open doors by spotlighting a brand’s story and earning the trust of one’s community. It’s also a powerful morale booster—an affirmation that the late nights, bold ideas, and relentless effort truly pay off—and best of all, recognition endures.

From Dream to Triumph: Celebrating the Journey of a Madiskarte Mom!
Gawad Madiskarte 2024 Trophy by Ram Mallari

      It becomes part of the brand’s narrative, a permanent milestone reminding entrepreneurs of how far they’ve come and inspiring them toward greater heights. Now in its third year, Gawad Madiskarte 2025, organized by PLDT Home and Madiskarte Moms PH, celebrates the achievements of Filipina mompreneurs who innovate, inspire, and excel in their home-based and online ventures—especially those advancing sustainability and social impact.

From Dream to Triumph: Celebrating the Journey of a Madiskarte Mom!
Gawad Madiskarte 2024 Winners with their trophies and prize from Tough Mama

     I'm always teary-eyed re-watching the awarding ceremony because of the inspiring stories of the finalists and the winners. They always leave words and quotes to ponder and live by especially to aspiring mompreneurs who are always giving their best since day 1. 

From Dream to Triumph: Celebrating the Journey of a Madiskarte Mom!

    Past recipients, like Melissa Moscoso of Xavier & Xandrie—startup founder and eco-friendly brand owner of durable katsa fabric tote bags—have grown from humble beginnings to serving customers in more than 14 countries, powered by their madiskarte mindset. Her words during the 2025 awards still resonate deeply: “We have our own timeline—slow progress is still progress.”

From Dream to Triumph: Celebrating the Journey of a Madiskarte Mom!

Gawad Madiskarte 2024 Start-Up Division Diskarteng Eco-Friendly Winner

From Dream to Triumph: Celebrating the Journey of a Madiskarte Mom!

Awarding of Gawad Madiskarte 2024 Start-Up Division Diskarteng Eco-Friendly Winner Melissa Moscoso of Xavier & Xandrei

     This kind of heartfelt insight inspires not only the winners, but the entire community. Be part of this movement—your story matters, and the best is yet to come. Join the Madiskarte Moms PH Community and apply for Gawad Madiskarte 2025 now!

Connected Moms Lead: Building a Stronger Community for Filipino Moms, This Women’s Month

     The relentless demands of modern motherhood, amplified by digital expectations, leave 66% of Filipino moms struggling to balance work and family. This year’s Women’s Month celebration spotlights the efforts of hardworking women, including moms wearing many hats. Following the National Women’s Month theme of “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas,” Madiskarte Moms PH’s Connected Moms Lead campaign speaks to the importance of equipping moms with the right tools, skills, and digital connectivity to navigate modern life. It emphasizes that being connected isn't just about building a social media presence but also having the access to resources and opportunities that meet the demands in every aspect of their lives.

     MMPH is empowering moms not just to balance their lives, but also to lead with purpose. At the heart of this, PLDT Home continuously enables moms to connect, thrive, and lead. With its most reliable connectivity, moms are empowered to balance their lives, pursue their own passions, and ultimately, achieve their dreams, making it possible for moms to build their own success stories.

Connected Moms Lead: Building a Stronger Community for Filipino Moms, This Women’s Month

Mompreneurs, Women in Business Take Center Stage at UN Women WEPs Awards Forum

     Madiskarte Moms PH, the online community of women and mompreneurs in the Philippines, took centerstage at the first-ever Asia-Pacific UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. The forum and awards ceremony celebrated companies championing gender equality in the region, and highlighted critical topics such as women entrepreneurship and digital inclusivity.

      Athena Denise Galao, Country Program Coordinator of UN Women Philippines, led the discussion with the panel composed of women leaders Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer and advocate for Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH); Ahyee Campos of GoDigital Pilipinas and Country Head of Infosys BPM Philippines; NEDA Undersecretary Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy; and Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio.

Mompreneurs, Women in Business Take Center Stage at UN Women WEPs Awards Forum