Connected Moms Lead: Strengthening Communities & Empowering 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 ngSektor, 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.

Unlocking new digital skills

Recognizing the challenges of the rapidly evolving tech landscape, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, MMPH partnered with Google Philippines to host the successful ‘Ayan na! AI na!’ Gemini Academy for mompreneurs.

Gemini Academy provided actionable strategies to leverage AI for tasks like content creation, social media management, and customer service, freeing up valuable hours for both business and family. Moreover, by learning how to use AI to streamline administrative tasks and even support their children’s education, mompreneursgained the ability to create a more balanced and efficient lifestyle. 

The workshop empowered participants with the knowledge to safely and responsibly utilize Gemini and other AI tools, fostering business growth and improved family life. Attendees learned practical applications of AI to streamline processes, generate innovative product ideas, and integrate these tools into family routines, such as assisting with children's schoolwork.

Recognizing notable mompreneurs

The stories of inspiring mompreneurs are about to be celebrated once again. Gawad Madiskarte returns, recognizing those who have built successful home-based online businesses while balancing family life. This year, MMPH is expanding its focus to honor mompreneurs who are leading the way in sustainable business practices, and creating a positive impact on their communities and the environment. The nomination announcement is coming soon, marking the start of a celebration of their remarkable contributions.

 

Connecting with fellow moms and the community

From March 19 to 21, MMPH will host the Madiskarte Moms Bazaar, where mompreneurs can sell their products, ranging from homemade food to handmade crafts. This is their chance to bring their wares outside of e-commerce, allowing more people to try them out and treat themselves with unique items. 

Madiskarte Moms Bazaar is also a great opportunity for mompreneursto connect with fellow mompreneurs from the community. It gives them a chance to learn and inspire each other with their own experiences.

Madiskarte Moms PH is a community that empowers Filipino moms to lead with purpose in the digital age. Join the movement now.

Empowering Women in Business: Mompreneurs Shine 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.

L-R) During the forum at the first-ever Asia-Pacific UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) awards, Athena Denise Galao, Country Program Coordinator of UN Women Philippines, led the discussion with the panel composed of women leaders Ahyee Campos, GoDigital Pilipinas and Country Head of Infosys BPM Philippines, Agnes Gervacio, Connected Women CEO, Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy, NEDA Undersecretary and Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer and advocate for Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH)

 

Women in business

When people think of “women in business,” they immediately think of women executives working for big companies in finance or retail rather than the grassroots entrepreneurs and community leaders who are often the driving forces behind local economies.

 

The pandemic revealed the untapped potential of these women through Madiskarte Moms PH. And four years after its inception, this online community of almost 200,000 mompreneurs continues to promote digital upskilling, enhance entrepreneurial skills, and expand access to community support for its members to start and grow their home-based businesses. 

 

PLDT Home, which supported the online community of moms from its founding, helped these small businesses not just to survive but to flourish during their most challenging times.

 

PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer and advocate for Madiskarte Moms PH Melissa Vergel de Dios shared that it is “all about the creativity and innovation of mompreneurs.”

 

Vergel de Dios relates the story of an awardee at the 2024 Gawad Madiskarte, PLDT Home’s annual recognition and awards for the best businesses by mompreneurs. “This mom needed to buy milk for her child, which cost her the only money she had—P3,000. Not only was her budget just enough, but it was also unfortunately stolen or lost. Instead of being overcome by helplessness, this clever mom sold her old clothes and made P7,000. This mom turned an unfortunate incident into the beginning of her business called HTP or Half the Price. Now that she had capital for a business, she called up all her friends to put their unwanted clothes together and sell them. From that P7,000, her income is now seven figures.”

 

PLDT Home’s advocacy for inclusivity for women in business and in tech goes hand in hand with the continuous expansion of its fiber network across the country and support for programs on internet education for the whole family. 

 

“We’ve given masterclasses and lessons that teach women how to create their own websites, how to avoid scams and fraud. But, as I say, it takes a whole nation. Now, the Madiskarte Moms teach new members so that they can go forward as well,” Vergel de Dios added. Breaking gender stereotypes

Breaking conventional gender roles and mindsets has also allowed the government to map out an inclusivity plan for women. NEDA Undersecretary Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy said the Philippine Development Plan or “the nation’s blueprint” includes strategies to mainstream gender equality in government. 

 

Moderator and Country Program Coordinator of UN Women Philippines Athena Denise Galao raised a valid point on women who work from home still bearing increased domestic responsibilities. “How do we prevent housework from becoming another barrier for women’s advancement?”

 

Ahyee Campos of GoDigital Pilipinas and Country Head of Infosys said, “We need to take away the mindset that home care is only for women. Unpaid home care is not allowing women in that kind of working model to really succeed. And so participation of the husband in those conversations needs to be more active and the women need to be more forthcoming—it cannot be assumed that it’s understood.”

 

Will AI take away jobs?

As AI becomes more intelligent—by learning from humans! — the inevitable question for every employee is: will my employer replace me with a computer program?

L-R) During the forum at the first-ever Asia-Pacific UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) awards, Athena Denise Galao, Country Program Coordinator of UN Women Philippines, led the discussion with the panel composed of women leaders Ahyee Campos, GoDigital Pilipinas and Country Head of Infosys BPM Philippines, Agnes Gervacio, Connected Women CEO, Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy, NEDA Undersecretary and Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer and advocate for Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH)

 

Not likely, according to Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio. “When you embark on digital transformation and your goal is to do headcount reduction, you’re doing it all wrong. Because the goal of digital transformation is to make sure that you deliver efficiencies as well as ensure that your business is competitive.”

 That future may not always be in the office, according to Vergel de Dios. “Sometimes success is not being an executive in the office but being an entrepreneur. Today’s success is defined differently. We can be role models to the little girls that look up to us, and we can show them that they can dream. It also starts with education so that at a young stage the stereotypes are broken at the formation stage.”

Madiskarte Moms Gain Expert Insights from Potato Corner, Carmen’s Best Founders at PLDT Home Biz Masterclass

 Passion, innovation, and tech know-how. 

These were just some of the things that Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) members learned from successful Filipino entrepreneurs in the masterclass powered by PLDT Home Biz.  

From L-R (Jorge Wieneke, Potato Corner co-founder and Tokyo Tempura founder, Paco Magsaysay, Carmen’s Best founder, Zarah Jane Juan, Zarah Juan Founder, Bianca Larrañaga, Wanderskye's Co-founder and CEO, and Jaypee Morales, President and CEO of Rite Tea

With the goal of empowering mompreneurs and equipping them with a winning mindset to succeed in business, this one-day intensive masterclass program was divided into three sessions with topics ranging from Creating an Entrepreneurial Mindset to Product Innovation and Using AI and Social Media to promote their businesses.

Madiskarte Moms receive their certificates of attendance for the PLDT Home Biz Masterclass.

 

Passion and confidence

Wanderskye's Co-founder and CEO Bianca Larrañaga shared that passion can propel one’s business in a way that money can’t. She emphasized the importance of identifying and pursuing one’s passion as the foundation of a successful entrepreneurial venture.

 

While it was hard to enter a market already saturated by brands catering to tourists, Wanderskye differentiated itself with unique and quality products. This opened the avenue to partner with national retailers such as Rustan's, The Travel Club and ROX. It also opened stores in Boracay, Siargao and Bohol, as well as in Metro Manila malls and airports. 

 

President and CEO of Rite Tea Jaypee Morales shared the same sentiment.. He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to identify problems in their own lives and develop innovative solutions to address them.

 

Despite the challenges and setbacks Rite Tea faced during its early stages, Jaypee said perseverance, resilience, and unwavering belief in one's vision can help entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and achieve success.

 

How to get customers to do your marketing

One of the most challenging aspects of starting a business is creating an  identity that people will remember — and love. In hospitality, where the market is transient by nature, it’s essential to make a good first impression immediately or you lose your chance to make new customers.

 

That is why for Commune Café owner Rosario Juan, first and foremost, one needs a distinctive aesthetic and ambiance to attract customers and make them want to experience your product.  Second, never forget the human touch—from exceptional customer service that builds a strong relationship with patrons to the details of the physical store. Third, remember that customers are in tune with market trends—so should  mompreneurs be.

 

As an example, her own Commune Café has carved a unique identity that resonates with its target audience, developing a loyal customer base that spreads positive word-of-mouth.

 

Failure can lead to innovation

Carmen’s Best is in most grocery stores today but when it started in 2007 founder Francisco “Paco” Magsaysay was sending out his products on individual orders. Paco emphasized the importance of setting high standards and striving for perfection. By delivering exceptional quality, businesses can differentiate their products, build brand loyalty, and attract discerning customers. 

 

Meanwhile, Potato Corner co-founder and Tokyo Tempura founder Jorge Wieneke found a niche in the market that brought one product outside the fast-food chains and into its own small spaces across 11 countries. Founded 25 years ago, Potato Corner, dubbed “The World’s Best Flavored Fries,” has become a top-of- mind entry point for budding entrepreneurs. 

 

Jorge emphasized the importance of understanding consumer needs and preferences to identify underserved niches and untapped opportunities in the market. He advocated for a culture of experimentation and risk-taking, highlighting the value of failing fast and learning from mistakes to drive innovation.

 

Many entrepreneurs say that embracing failure is the first step to success. It sounds ironic, but it’s true, said Zarah Jane Juan, founder of Zarah Juan brand, known for unique Filipino bag designs using icons of everyday life.

 

AI and social media

First PLDT Home Biz Masterclass

 

Social media is a powerful platform to engage with audiences, build brand awareness and drive sales. Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn can help mompreneurs reach an audience beyond the Philippines. 

 

nRocket Inc. CEO Jay Jazmines said AI can be a game changer for one’s business if used wisely and strategically. Entrepreneur Fibo Lim of the Fibo Lim Group of Companies advised mompreneurs to use their social media content to connect with customers and to educate, entertain, and experience.

 

Drizzled Chicken owner Maine Fontanilla broke down how to use these platforms, such as TikTok to attract customers, build brand awareness, and encourage dine-ins; and Facebook for collecting online orders, showcasing flavors, and guiding the order process.

 

This masterclass is part of the PLDT Home Biz relaunch to introduce enhanced Home Biz plans with significantly faster speeds and a lot of exclusive benefits. In addition, PLDT Home is launching a dedicated Facebook community for existing and new subscribers. This online hub will provide access to exclusive masterclasses, personalized one-on-one coaching sessions, expert customer support, and a range of exclusive perks to help home-based businesses thrive.

Check out four of the best handcrafted products from the mompreneurs of Madiskarte Moms PH

Small business owners, especially women entrepreneurs, are important to both their immediate communities and the local economy. Research shows that there are around 28,000 Women’s SMEs (WSMEs) in the country or around one in four of all SMEs in the Philippines.

 

Entrepreneurs who are also mothers at home—the so-called mompreneurs—founded their businesses with the goal of improving their family’s lives. These businesses encourage creativity and empower women to be financially independent. 

The online community Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) is one such support group for moms who are starting their own businesses or scaling up their existing ones. MMPH has its own Facebook group and YouTube channel that feature posts and videos of moms sharing advice and best practices in online marketing and selling. It’s very inspiring to see moms telling their own stories of how they started small and eventually scaled up.

 

These mompreneurs have created intensely personal businesses and, as such, their dedication shows in their products — proudly handcrafted, each one never the exact same copy of another. In a world of fast production, there is value in products made with skilled hands, passion, and care.

 

Mompreneurs are some of the most madiskarte and hardworking Filipinos hustling their way toward their financial goals. They deserve our support and applause for starting businesses from nothing, but more importantly, their products deserve our attention. Here are four of the best handcrafted products from the mompreneurs of Madiskarte Moms PH:

 

1. Bible journals by Love, Mama V

 

For those who like to write down their thoughts and prayers during their regular Bible readings, Madiskarte Mom Vannie Roxas’ Bible journals are a great get. Initially made for her own use, she started her business this year when her workload as a freelance social media manager became less demanding.

 

She joined a crafting workshop to learn how to print, and her husband’s T-shirt printing business made it easier for her to start since they already had the equipment. “At the workshop I learned that there are so many products we can do—it was a bit overwhelming,” Vannie says. “But I thank God because he led me to create products that are aligned with my passion and faith. I really use Bible journals to help my faith grow and I wanted to share it with fellow devotees who want to jot down their meditations.”

 

Vannie also now offers a Prayer Journal, Biblical Affirmations notebook and other products to help her customers in their faith journey. She says she feels very blessed as the business gives them additional income. “It’s not that big yet since we just started. We’re in the process of studying how we can grow it and expand to create more jobs in the community. I hope we get bulk orders for this year’s Christmas season so we can share the blessings that our products have showered upon us.”

 

Vannie’s journals are simple, usable, thick and long-lasting. They’re also truly affordable at P220 per journal. 

 

2. Handmade relief balms and salves by Nurture Moms Balms 

 

Our skin could always use some extra TLC—which is why this idea from mompreneur Christine Joy Llameg is one of the more enticing products in the Madiskarte Moms PH community. Christine sells homemade balms and salves that help treat annoying skin conditions such as rashes and dry skin. The healing salves are made with all-natural ingredients, such as essential oils and botanical extracts, and they also avoid the potentially dangerous chemical camphor.

 

The idea of making balms came to the mompreneur when she wanted to make one for a friend’s son with G6pd or the lack of an enzyme (glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase) in the blood. “Anything minty is not allowed to touch his skin so I first made a salve for him, and that sparked the idea of eventually selling them.”

The business also helps fund therapy sessions for Christine’s four-year-old daughter Irie, who’s in the autism spectrum. “I had my first big order during my second month—100 pcs of aromatherapy balm as a wedding favor and that paid for two months of therapy sessions. Currently my sales are at a slow phase but I’m still fighting for it because I have to give the best life for my family, especially my daughter,” she says.

 

Christine personifies the mom who never gives up no matter the odds. She shares that this is her third business idea after two failed ventures. “Life is really hard but when I think about my daughter, I feel like I can do anything.”  

3. Realistic paper flowers by ICreate-paper flowers

Need floral decor for your events and spaces? Mompreneur April Baltazar’s paper flower designs, which imitate popular flowers such as roses and daisies, give off a very realistic feel. A Madiskarte Mom since 2015, she proudly shares that her home business has taken her to different places across the country to set up paper flowers for various clients. 

 

April started her business eight years ago after she stumbled on a Facebook post about giant paper flowers. “I was intrigued and quickly became interested, so I decided to try making them myself. Since then, I have been exploring various social media platforms in search of creative ideas and online tutorials to gain inspiration. The positive feedback and encouragement I received from my friends, family, and early clients played a significant role in shaping my current path,” she says.

 

Madikarte Moms’ support motivated her to channel her creativity into a profitable business while social media helped her discover her target market. “Business has become our primary source of income. With it, we are able to pay our bills every month and even have some savings. Since I have been practicing my art for many years, I have seen significant improvement in my skills. As a result, I now conduct workshops to share my knowledge and expertise, which serve as an additional source of income for my family.”

 

April admits that the market is now saturated with numerous competitors, but “we are able to meet all our needs and wants solely by selling giant paper flowers. This business has truly helped my family financially.”  

 

4. Polymer clay earrings by Cess’s Official 

Want to change up your personal style? These handcrafted floral-themed polymer clay earrings by mompreneur Cess Tordes are colorful and vibrant, perfect to either accentuate a subtle outfit or complete a larger-than-life look. They’re also great for all ages! Mommy Cess offers a large collection of earrings, which she makes when she’s feeling stressed from her day job.

 

“I got the idea from Pinterest. I saw earrings that were so beautiful that I made some for myself. When I posted them on Facebook, a lot of people inquired where they could get them or if I was selling them. I couldn’t do it full time because I work full time for an AU-based company. Making polymer clay earrings is both a side business and a hobby,” Cess says.

 

She shares that the profit from the business goes to the schooling of her four-year-old daughter. “The income from the business is not a lot yet because I sell them at low prices, especially to momshies. But the fulfillment I get from creating them and seeing them worn by women to important occasions in their lives like their birthday, graduation or wedding is very satisfying.”

 

These awesome products by mompreneurs from the Madiskarte Moms PH community show that there’s no limit to the creativity and ingenuity of the Filipina. There are a lot more handmade products and items waiting to be discovered.

 

If you’re also a madiskarte mom who’s looking to touch base with like-minded mompreneurs, or if you’re an aspiring mompreneur who wants to channel your creativity and productivity into a small business, the Madiskarte Moms PH community is more than welcoming to new members.

 

To check out more unique products, connect with fellow mompreneurs, or start your journey to becoming a mompreneur yourself, you can join the Facebook group here.