PLDT Home Honors Mompreneurs at the 4th Gawad Madiskarte

The 4th Gawad Madiskarte Awards recently drew to a close, shining a spotlight on the incredible grit and innovation of Filipino mompreneurs. Since beginning in 2020, this PLDT Home initiative has evolved into a significant movement, honoring mothers who masterfully navigate the challenges of parenthood while launching businesses that uplift their communities.

Now entering its fifth year, the community has collaborated with UN Women and the Philippine Commission on Women to debut the "Panahon Mo Na" initiative. This campaign advocates for mothers who have successfully balanced domestic roles with entrepreneurship, urging them to recognize their professional worth and claim their place in the business world with confidence.

This drive is evident in the thriving Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) network, a community of over 227,000 members dedicated to mutual support, mentorship, and digital skill-building. 

PLDT Home highlights how reliable connectivity acts as a vital foundation for these women, fostering both their business success and the daily resilience needed to manage home life and entrepreneurship.

“At PLDT, we believe that reliable connectivity is a powerful enabler of growth. When mompreneurs are equipped with the right digital tools and supported by a strong community, they can expand their businesses, create opportunities, and uplift others,” said Menardo “Butch” Jimenez Jr., PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer.

Honoring Heart and Hustle: The PLDT Home 4th Gawad Madiskarte Winners
This year’s awards recognized outstanding mompreneurs across several categories, showcasing the diversity of industries and impact within the community.

Diskarteng  Fiber Biz winner, Rambie Go, with presenter and judge Prep Palacios, Google Country Manager and PLDT executives

The Diskarteng Fiber Biz award was given to Rambie Go of Rambie’s Collection, whose handcrafted accessories made from upcycled materials promote sustainability while creating livelihood opportunities for fellow mothers. “I am happy and grateful for this award, as this recognizes the growing interest sustainably and inspires fellow moms to start small,” said Go.

Diskarteng Angat (Start-Up) winner, Sheena Marie A. Mallari,  with presenter and judge Melissa Yeung-Yap, CEO of Greenstone Pharmaceutical and PLDT executives 

For the Diskarteng Angat (Start-Up) category, Sheena Marie A. Mallari of Jakesheen’s Homemade Spreads was recognized for crafting a variety of rich and creamy yema spread flavors. “Every challenge you face is part of your journey. Stay positive, stay consistent, and keep going,” said Mallari.

Diskarteng Angat (Scale-Up) winner, Melanie A. Medrano,  with presenter and judge Anna Meloto-Wilk, President and Co-Founder of Human Nature and PLDT executives

The Diskarteng Angat (Scale-Up) award was presented to Melanie A. Medrano of Gramworth Enterprises Inc., whose healthy, easy-to-prepare instant cacao drink products support local farmers through ethical trade practices. “I want to say mabuhay to every Filipina. I believe that each of us has the diskarte, faith, and the support of our community to succeed,” said Medrano.

Diskarteng Eco-Friendly (Start-Up) winner, Lanie Abanes Geronimo,  with presenter and judge Ces Oreña-Drilon, broadcast journalist and news anchor and PLDT executives

Lanie Abanes Geronimo of Ecobum Cloth Diapers won the Diskarteng Eco-Friendly (Start-Up) award for her locally made cloth diapers designed to help prevent skin irritation among infants. She started the business after the heartbreaking loss of her baby, turning her grief into a purpose-driven venture. “I’d like to congratulate all the mothers present. Each one of us has a story worth celebrating,” Geronimo said. 

Diskarteng May Puso  (Scale-Up) winner, Elsie Camille Espiritu,  with presenters and judges Bernadette “Bidibidi” De Los Santos, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), and PLDT executives

Elsie Camille Espiritu of Kamagong Woodworkz received the Diskarteng May-Puso (Scale-Up) award for her mom-led business, which creates handcrafted woodworks for homes and enterprises. “I was at a low point during the pandemic, but the Madiskarte Moms PH community inspired me to start earning and build a business born from my husband’s and my shared passions,” Espiritu shared.

With over 200 nominations received, the awards highlighted the diversity and innovation within the mompreneur community. Winners received cash prizes and specially designed trophies by Filipino visual artist Eric Masangkay, while finalists were also recognized for their achievements, reinforcing the program’s inclusive and supportive approach.

The distinguished panel of judges included Menardo “Butch” Jimenez Jr., Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, PLDT Inc.; Ces Oreña-Drilon, broadcast journalist and news anchor; Bernadette “Bidibidi” De Los Santos, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) and owner of Bidibidi Enterprise; Prep Palacios, Country Manager of Google Philippines; Anna Meloto-Wilk, President and Co-Founder of Human Nature; Melissa Yeung-Yap, CEO of Greenstone Pharmaceutical; and Angela Chen-Delantar, Chairperson and Co-Founder of Eskwelabs. Their expertise and experience provided valuable insight in evaluating the finalists’ entrepreneurial journeys and the impact of their businesses.

More than an awards ceremony, Gawad Madiskarte underscores the importance of empowering women through digital access and community support. By spotlighting these stories, PLDT Home continues to inspire more mothers to pursue entrepreneurship, proving that success is not only measured by profit, but also by purpose, perseverance, and the ability to uplift others.

As the program continues to grow, it stands as a testament to how heart and hustle can drive meaningful change, both within households and across communities.

Reinforcing this commitment, partners emphasized the importance of creating more inclusive opportunities for women entrepreneurs, noting that initiatives like Gawad Madiskarte help advance gender equality by enabling women to thrive both economically and socially.

Jimenez added, “What makes a Madiskarte Mom remarkable is not how she succeeds when things are easy, but how she moves forward when they are not.”

Mothers and aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to join the Madiskarte Moms PH community and be part of a growing network that empowers women to thrive in business.