The enduring spirit of Independence Day heroes lives on in mompreneurs

As we commemorate the country’s 126th Independence Day, we also reflect on its meaning and relevance in today's world. Just as we had inspiring heroes fighting for the Philippines’ right to self-government and freedom from colonial rule in 1898, we have modern-day heroes that continue to contribute to the nation’s growth and to individual self-sufficiency today.

These are Filipinos who overcome hardships to achieve personal and financial empowerment through entrepreneurship. According to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, MSMEs “generate 62.4 percent of the country's total employment, contribute 36 percent of gross value added, and account for 25 percent of total exports.”

Madiskarte Moms PH, an online community that supports starting and established mompreneurs, exemplifies the enduring spirit of Filipinos whose businesses create opportunities for our people.

By creating products using materials and designs that are Filipino-centric impacts everyone in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It creates direct and indirect employment for suppliers and communities. 

If there is any modern-day example of heroes, it is Filipino mothers who are smart to realize that it doesn’t takes a huge capital to start a business. When they changed their mindset that it could be done, they did it. After all, when you’re fighting for your family’s future, you become brave like the hero you can be.

Moms in Tech: How these Mothers at Shopee Unlocked Success in a Fast-Paced Industry

With the rapid growth of e-commerce, more women are exploring the tech industry and finding success online. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to provide members of its platform with the support needed to thrive in tech. In time for Mother’s Day, three mothers share their experiences on how they ventured out of their comfort zones and into e-commerce. Karen, Primarose, and Glenda are a testament to what working mothers in tech are capable of achieving –  whether they are riders, livestream partners, or employees of Shopee.

HEALTHY LYF: Dengue Tops Moms Most Feared Diseases

Together with the common flu, typhoid, hepatitis, among others, dengue is up there in the list as one of the most dreaded diseases that moms worry their kids may contract. Unlike the other illnesses mentioned, dengue doesn’t have a vaccine that can provide immediate protection.

Prevalent in tropical countries such as the Philippines, dengue affects people differently. While others may stop at having flu-like symptoms such as high fever and muscle-and-joint pains and rash, others suffer life-threatening complications. A few succumb to Dengue Shock Syndrome, in which the patient’s white blood cells drop to a dangerous level, leading to internal bleeding. In some of these cases, dengue becomes fatal.

While it is true that all people, regardless of age, can be infected with dengue, statistics from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center show that it is children and adolescents who are hit the hardest. Almost half of the dengue cases last year were from 5 to 14 years old age range.

Homemade food still best for tots, says Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan

Many busy moms nowadays have no time to prepare nutritious baby food. But when opting for store-bought bottled food, moms are not assured of the freshness and quality of these mixes, and that is why homemade food are still the better choice, says mother of five and Philips Avent brand ambassador, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan.

 “I am very particular when it comes to feeding my children. While there are many respectable brands of bottled baby food in the market, I still believe that nothing compares to homemade food that has been greatly thought out and considered for baby’s particular needs,” Maricel explains. 

Thank You Mom, You Are My IDOL

Everyone needs someone to look up to, a model that we mimic our actions and mold us to what we will be and lead us to what would be the best for us. We are looking for an IDOL where we get our inspiration. Before we knew the beautiful and wild world, we had our first Idol, and we call her mother. In my case I grew to call her "mama" and others call her "Josie".

Mama Josie was the youngest of the three sisters and learned to stand up on her own at a young age, as their family were not that financially stable, in which only one of them finished college with the help of my mother as she goes to many "rakets" to bring food to the table and help my aunt finish her studies.


With the people she meets everyday, her eyes was opened into the vast opportunities and the love of travel. She would go out with friends and go on trips from Baguio to Albay, then hop on a ship to Cebu and also got a roundtrip ticket to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia without sending a cent. She was indeed charismatic, she has the gift of persuastion as well a fiesty attitude when oppressed. A strong woman she grew after she was left with her first son (my eldest brother Jeffrey) and raise him on her own.