By: Kasandra M. Caramihan

Empowering parents and helping children with special needs, Mylo Speech Buddy continues making significant impacts not only on individuals within the autism spectrum but also on Filipinos in the business world. With its notable contributions, Manila Bulletin recognized Mylo Speech Buddy as one of its honorees in the recently concluded 2025 Newsmakers of the Year Awards, held on February 10, 2025, at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

Teamed up by parents who have children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and with the collaboration of speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and other medical professionals focused on autism, Mylo Speech Buddy is created, aiming to aid children who are experiencing speech delays. With the help of this application, users will be able to hone and accelerate their verbal communication skills using a research-backed speech development activity, the Video Modeling Method.

In his acceptance speech, Mylo Speech Buddy Founder Vincent Rocha revealed that this app was actually made for his son. As a parent himself, Rocha knows the challenges of raising a child with a speech disability, as he experiences them firsthand.

“We had a hard time finding speech therapists, occupational therapists, and doctors for my son, and because of that reason, we told ourselves—what about other Filipinos? How can they manage without access to these experts?” Rocha shared.

Within a year, Mylo has grown from a thousand users during the first month of its release to 60,000 users from 60 nations. It has supported many children’s speech therapy journeys all over the world, staying true to its only main goal — to serve children with special needs.

Besides fulfilling its commitment to empowering parents and children, Mylo Speech Buddy has also inspired and opened doors for Filipino startups as it elevates them into global recognition.

The said speech development system received multiple awards. It won in a startup competition funded by the European Union. It was also recognized at the KMC Startup Awards 2024 clinching the Social Impact Award and two silver awards as the Best Newcomer and Innovative Product of the Year.

Moreover, it was named as the first-place winner of the ARISE Plus Ye! Boost Accelerator Program. It also recently dominated the 2024 Stevie Awards by taking home two gold awards, as the Tech Startup of the Year—Software and New Product of the Year—Educational Technology.

Rocha expressed gratitude to Manila Bulletin for recognizing their small startup company. “We hope this recognition can also invite collaborators, investors, and partners so we could maximize this recognition - so it can reach more people,” Rocha added.

From a small company aiming to assist parents and children in navigating communication therapy to an aspiration to thousands of Filipino startups, Mylo Speech Buddy continues to embody the true essence of being an MB Newsmaker honoree.