What does it really mean to move forward? For some, it’s about hitting milestones. For others, it’s about creating opportunities that uplift not only themselves but the people around them.

This is the spirit behind Movers of Tomorrow, a new storytelling initiative by MPT Mobility that highlights individuals who are quietly but meaningfully driving change in their own communities. Whether they’re entrepreneurs, creatives, or everyday problem-solvers, these are the people showing that progress doesn’t always have to be loud; it just has to move with purpose.

As part of MPT Mobility’s commitment to #MobilizingProgressTogether, the platform features real, inspiring stories of how innovation, resilience, and smart solutions can create ripple effects across communities. And for its very first story, Movers of Tomorrow puts the spotlight on Harold Zapata, a young hydroponic farmer from San Fernando, Pampanga.

It started with a YouTube video and a single question: What if I tried this?

Back then, Harold was still a 21-year-old marketing student with no background in agriculture, only P1,000 in savings, and a growing curiosity about growing greens. He cobbled together a DIY greenhouse using wood scraps, bamboo, and plastic sheets. He joined Facebook groups and forums, learning everything from water pH levels to spacing for lettuce heads.

“I thought it was fascinating that you could grow lettuce in water,” Harold says. “I didn’t know anything about farming, but I figured I could learn along the way.”

From trial and error came progress and eventually, a thriving 1,700-square-meter urban farm called Plant Habitat, which now grows more than 2,000 heads of lettuce, arugula, and basil. What began as an experiment soon turned into a steady operation that supplies fresh greens to local retailers, cafés, and markets, including Xtremely Xpresso in Clark and Kadiwa store in Pampanga.

Hydroponic farming, Harold explains, is a more sustainable and efficient approach compared to traditional farming. It uses less water, requires no pesticides, and is ideal for small spaces. “It’s practical, scalable, and most of the process can be automated,” he shares. “That’s why it works even if you’re just starting.”

Beyond the crops, Harold’s venture is creating opportunities for others. He now works with two team members to manage operations and marketing, and his farm fuels a network of small businesses that champion fresh, locally sourced produce.

“I didn’t expect that this would grow into something that could help others, too,” he says. “It’s one of the most fulfilling parts of the journey.”

For MPT Mobility, it’s exactly this kind of story that reflects their deeper mission.

“We launched Movers of Tomorrow to recognize how progress often starts from a small spark—a single idea, a moment of curiosity—and grows into something that benefits more people,” says Reneé Funtanilla, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience at MPT Mobility. “Through our mobility solutions, we aim to create an environment where these ideas and dreams can take root and flourish.”

Whether it’s through MPT DriveHub, RFID convenience, or seamless expressway access, MPT Mobility continues to create smarter, more connected ways for Filipinos to move not just across roads, but through life.

“Mobility isn’t just about tollways or transport,” Funtanilla adds. “It’s about enabling people to move toward their goals. Stories like Harold’s show us that even the smallest ventures can become powerful catalysts for shared progress.”

As Harold reflects on how far he’s come, he says the best part has been the people he’s met along the way. “Every time someone tells me they’re inspired to try hydroponics, or when a small café says our lettuce makes a difference in their menu, it reminds me that I made the right move.”

With stories like his, Movers of Tomorrow reminds us that progress doesn’t always look like grand gestures. Sometimes, it looks like one young farmer and a row of lettuce, quietly changing lives—one leafy head at a time.