The New "Diskarte": Filipino Moms Turn to AI to Scale Their Businesses
PLDT Home and Google Philippines Lead the Charge in AI-Driven Digital Mastery for Filipino Mompreneurs
For years, the conversation around empowering women has centered on one word: access. We talked about access to education, the internet, and the global marketplace. But as the world changes, so does the definition of being "connected."
Today, a new digital divide is emerging. It
isn't just about who has an internet connection. It's about who knows how to
use and maximize the digital tools at their disposal. As artificial
intelligence (AI) begins to reshape how we work, learn, and grow our
businesses, the goal is shifting.
It’s no longer enough just to be online. To
truly thrive, women need the skills and confidence to lead in an AI-driven
world.
Moving Beyond the
Connection
Through a collaboration between PLDT Home’s
Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) and Google, the second Gemini Academy for mompreneurs
was recently held to bridge this gap. Building on last year’s introduction to
AI, the program focused on practical use, showing participants how AI can
support their businesses and help them stay competitive in a fast-changing
digital landscape. It also encouraged women to become #maAIdiskartemom,
embracing innovation by using AI tools.
While "AI" can sometimes sound
like a complicated term reserved for tech experts, Gemini Academy is proving
that these tools are actually for everyone. Most especially for mompreneurs who
are balancing their family life and work, while looking to reach more
customers. AI is a partner that helps get things done faster and more
creatively.
“AI is
no longer limited to large enterprises. It is for everyone, and we need to
embrace it. Today, it goes beyond being a tool. It becomes a partner that helps
you write product descriptions in seconds, respond to customers with
confidence, create content, and support your day-to-day operations,” said
Cheryl Maxine Loyola, AVP and Head of Public Relations and Brand Advocacy at
PLDT Home.
“When
you put tools like Gemini in the hands of women who are already 'madiskarte',
you do more than improve productivity. You unlock potential.”
Tools for the
Modern Filipina
The Gemini Academy has always focused on
making technology approachable. It also recognizes the efforts of mompreneurs
who have leveraged AI to grow their businesses, such as mom ambassadors
Princess Alvarez of ISLA Everything Accessories and Jenielyn Sicabalo-Nieva of
MP Nieva's Flower Shop.
Princess successfully built a custom
pricing calculator and business tracker from scratch with the help of Gemini.
This gives her a real-time view of her business profitability without a
technical background. Jenielyn also utilized Gemini to do deep research into
bouquet trends and innovative
"add-on" gift ideas. This keeps her up to date on the latest market
trends, so she can consistently offer fresh gift ideas to customers.
These stories reflect a broader shift in
how Filipino women are redefining entrepreneurship in the digital age.
“What we’re seeing today is a new kind of
‘diskarte’—one where Filipina entrepreneurs are not just adopting technology,
but using AI to lead, innovate, and scale their businesses with confidence, and
ultimately lead their own success story,” said Daphne Gripal Abello, Manager,
PLDT Home Marketing PR and Brand Advocacy.
During this year’s Gemini Academy with PLDT
Home’s MMPH, participants discovered how other innovative Google products can
simplify their day-to-day business tasks, such as NotebookLM, which serves as
their personal assistant, helping organize notes, understand complex documents,
and brainstorm ideas. Music generator Lyria and AI image editor Nano Banana can
open up new worlds of creativity, helping users explore music and media in ways
once possible only with expensive equipment. While AI marketing tool Pomelli is
designed to help streamline tasks and improve how they interact with digital
information.
Through digital mastery, women are moving
from learning the basics to dominating the digital space. They are now finding
ways to automate information so they can focus on what they are passionate
about
Celebrating the "Diskarteng AI"
The mission doesn't stop at training.
Empowerment also means recognition. During the program, it was announced that
next year’s Gawad Madiskarte, the annual awards ceremony of PLDT Home’s MMPH
that honors the grit and ingenuity of Filipina entrepreneurs, will include the
Diskarteng Digital Award.
This category will honor women who have successfully integrated AI into their businesses, demonstrating that "diskarte" today is about more than just hard work—it's about being innovative and creative with the best available technology.
"The award will recognize the
mompreneur who can best leverage AI to scale her business. We want to show that
a modern Filipina entrepreneur is not just a participant, but a leader in the
global digital landscape. This is our way of celebrating your growth and AI
mindset," said Prep Palacios, Google Philippines Country Manager.
Why This Matters
Now
If we don’t prioritize AI literacy for
women today, we risk leaving them out of the most important economic
conversations of tomorrow. Empowerment is about having a seat at the table, and
in 2026, it’s all about maximizing digital potential.
By turning connectivity into capability,
PLDT Home’s MMPH and Gemini Academy are ensuring that Filipino women aren't
just spectators in the tech revolution. They are the ones leading it. It’s time
to move beyond just getting online. It’s time to take charge.
To know more about PLDT Home’s Madiskarte
Moms PH, join the Facebook community and follow the official page.


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