Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH), the thriving online community of mompreneurs in the Philippines, took center stage at the inaugural Asia-Pacific UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. The event celebrated organizations championing gender equality and addressed key topics such as women’s entrepreneurship and digital inclusivity.
Leading the discussion was Athena Denise Galao, Country Program Coordinator of UN Women Philippines, alongside a distinguished panel of women leaders, including Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT’s Chief Sustainability Officer and MMPH advocate; Ahyee Campos of GoDigital Pilipinas and Country Head of Infosys BPM Philippines; NEDA Undersecretary Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy; and Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
The term “women in business” often evokes images of corporate executives in finance or retail, overlooking the grassroots entrepreneurs who drive local economies.
During the pandemic, Madiskarte Moms PH revealed the untapped potential of these women. Now, four years later, this community of nearly 200,000 mompreneurs continues to empower members with digital upskilling, entrepreneurial training, and peer support to grow their home-based businesses.
PLDT Home, a founding supporter of MMPH, played a crucial role in helping these mom-led businesses not just survive but thrive during challenging times.
“It’s all about the creativity and innovation of mompreneurs,” said Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT’s Chief Sustainability Officer and MMPH advocate.
She shared the inspiring story of a 2024 Gawad Madiskarte awardee. “A mother needed to buy milk for her child, using the last P3,000 she had. Unfortunately, the money was lost or stolen. Instead of giving up, she sold her old clothes and made P7,000. This setback sparked the beginning of her business, Half the Price (HTP). With her new capital, she encouraged friends to sell their unused clothes, turning her initial P7,000 into a seven-figure business.”
PLDT Home continues to support women entrepreneurs by expanding its fiber network nationwide and providing digital literacy programs for families.
“We’ve conducted masterclasses on website creation and online safety. But it takes a whole nation—Madiskarte Moms now teach new members, ensuring continuous learning and growth,” added Vergel de Dios.
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