PLDT Home Celebrates Mompreneurs Transforming
Communities at 4th Gawad Madiskarte
Present during the celebration were (from left) John Y. Palanca, Senior Vice President and Head of Home Consumer Business, PLDT Inc.; Rosalyn Mesina, Country Programme Coordinator, UN Women; Sheena Marie Mallari, owner of Jakesheen Homemad Spreads; Lanie Abanes Geronimo, owner of Ecobum Cloth Diapers; Melanie Medrano, owner of Gramworth Enterprises Inc.; Elsie Espiritu, owner of Kamagong Woodworks; Rambie Go, owner of Rambie’s Collection; Ina Pineda, VP and Head of Marketing Communications, PLDT Home; and Cheryl Maxine Loyola, AVP and Head of Public Relations and Brand Advocacies, PLDT Home
PLDT Home recently concluded its 4th Gawad Madiskarte Awards, celebrating the resilience,
creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Filipino mompreneurs who continue to make meaningful
contributions to their communities. Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has grown into a
powerful platform that recognizes mothers who successfully balance family life while building
impactful businesses.
Now marking its fifth year, the growing community, together with partners from UN Women and
the Philippine Commission on Women, launched its empowering campaign “Panahon Mo Na,”
a rallying call for mothers who have quietly built businesses while caring for their families. The
message is simple yet powerful: it is time for mompreneurs to take pride in what they have built
and confidently embrace their identity as entrepreneurs.
This spirit is reflected in the growing Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) community, which now has
over 227,000 members supporting one another through shared experiences, mentorship, and
digital empowerment.
PLDT Home emphasized the role of connectivity in enabling these women to succeed, noting
that beyond business growth, it also supports the everyday resilience of mothers navigating
both family and enterprise.
“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 are able to 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 in sustainable fashion 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.