Unsung heroes. In the past two years of the pandemic, that’s what our moms have proven to be. 

Despite bearing the brunt of COVID-19’s impact in the labor sector (many of whom lost their jobs or suffered pay cuts), these women made sure their family needs are taken care of by finding alternative ways of providing for their households.

For many, this meant going out of their comfort zones and starting their own online businesses. Based on data from Investing in Women, one in four micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines is owned by a woman. And this number has only risen during the pandemic with more than 88,000 new e-commerce businesses registered just in 2020.

Recognizing their immense contribution to their families as well as the potential of online home businesses in pushing for economic recovery, PLDT Home and a group of Filipino mompreneurs launched Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) last September 2020. 

MMPH is an online community where moms can get a head start on their own online home businesses or get tips and know-how to grow and expand their side hustles. Now with more than 98,000 members from all over the Philippines, MMPH has become a safe space where moms could exchange best practices, share experiences, and motivate each other to pursue their passions while also becoming financially independent. The community provides members with a 24/7 virtual venue of relevant information and networking opportunities to help mompreneurs kickstart their own online home businesses.

Gawad Madiskarte 2022: Pagkilala sa Tagumpay ng Madiskarteng Pinay

To recognize the hard work of Filipino mompreneurs and celebrate their success, MMPH is holding its first ever annual awards – Gawad Madiskarte 2022: Pagkilala sa Tagumpay ng Madiskarteng Pinay – this coming March 2022.

Powered by PLDT Home Biz, the annual awards ceremony is a tribute to the Filipina entrepreneurial spirit. Inviting moms of smarts and style to a big virtual gathering, Gawad Madiskarte salutes the achievements of mompreneurs who have created and grown their online businesses amid an economically challenging pandemic — armed only with their drive and personal diskarte. The special awarding ceremony fittingly happens on March 8, 2022, which is International Women’s Day, hoping to inspire other moms and women to start their own businesses from home as well.

Gawad Madiskarte introduces two main award categories: The Start Up Division, which honors mompreneurs who have bravely started their online side hustles (at least six months operation) despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, and The Scale Up Division, which recognizes those who successfully started and maintained their businesses for at least 13 months. 

Awards in the Start Up category include Diskarteng Solid (Strongest Start-Up Business Model) for those who have developed a business model that reflects their vision and gives exceptional customer value; Diskarteng Malikhain (Most Innovative Product) for those whose creative minds have brought forth fresh and unique products and services; and Diskarteng Eco-Friendly (Most Green Business) for those who have made conscious efforts to be socially responsible and environmentally friendly in their business. 

Meanwhile, the Scale Up division includes awards for Diskarteng Angat (Fastest-Growing Business) for those who have achieved exceptional growth with their robust vision and strategy; Diskarteng Digital (Best Multi-Channel Business), for businesses that have capitalized on the benefits of a multi-channel approach; and Diskarteng May Puso (Best Social Enterprise), for those whose goal meant giving back and empowering communities through their businesses. (The Scale Up Division entrants are required to have either a physical or e-commerce shop, and supporting documents including a DTI Permit and Barangay Certificate.)

A special award, the Diskarteng HomeBiz (Mompreneur’s Choice Award), will be given to the exceptional mompreneur whose business success story has greatly inspired others to do the same.

Gawad Madiskarte will award each winning mompreneur a P100,000 cash prize, a one-year PLDT Home Biz Plan, and a laptop to help them go further in their side hustle.

To add prestige to the event, Gawad Madiskarte has commissioned award-winning sculptor and contemporary artist Glenn Cagandahan for customized trophies as part of the major prizes. Cagandahan is known for his expressionist works featuring farmers, their family on carabaos, and other rural images that bring to mind the Filipino’s unwavering sense of hard work.

For more information on Gawad Madiskarte 2022, join the Madiskarte Moms PH group at https://bit.ly/JoinMMPH2.

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