For many Filipino artists, the first hurdle isn’t proving their talents—it’s gaining their parents’ support. While careers in engineering, medicine, or business are often encouraged, choosing the arts almost inevitably invites the familiar refrain: “Walang pera diyan.”

That is not the case for Filipino artist Eric Masangkay. Pursuing a career in the arts, though challenging, has been fully supported by his mother. This time, his journey comes full circle as he is tapped by PLDT Home to craft the trophy for mompreneurs at the Gawad Madiskarte Awards.

Now in its fourth year, the Gawad Madiskarte Awards is PLDT Home’s way of honoring mothers who exemplify innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth through the businesses they have built. Together with Eric, the awards aim to recognize their work with a masterpiece that encapsulates their perseverance, tenacity, and heart.

Growing up in Lucena, Quezon Province, Eric’s first exposure to the arts was through comics and cartoons. This inspired him to create illustrations—something his mother grew fond of. In high school, he even created his own comic series, little knowing that these illustrations would later serve as the blueprint for his future, with his mother supporting him every step of the way.

“She was proud that I learned to draw,” Eric tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “She is a single mom, so when we were little, she was madiskarte. She is the reason why I am here today, because she always supported me.”

In 1999, Eric earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of the Philippines. But despite having a degree, life as an artist is not easy. For him, the key is to continue learning and mastering your craft. While working for an export company, he not only picked up valuable lessons but also discovered a new medium and honed his skills in sculpting.

This passion for sculpting allowed him to fully express his visions. His works often feature subjects at work, from traders in boats and vendors on wheels to farmers dancing in fields. These images weren’t just sources of inspiration—they reflected real life, seen through his mother, who worked as a vendor to keep their family afloat.

“In every piece I make, there’s a part of my mom in it,” the artist muses. “When my father was out of the picture, my mother had to take over his way of managing things, since she was a vendor.”

That’s why, when PLDT Home tapped him to design the trophy for this year’s Gawad Madiskarte Awards, Eric created a piece that embodies the struggles and aspirations of women. Made of mixed metals, stone, and wood, the trophy features a woman seemingly dancing mid-air—breaking free and reaching for her dreams.

“I believe moms, and women in general, are the backbone of society,” Eric says. “Through this piece, I’m trying to showcase their perseverance in reaching their goals. It also redefines the traditional notion of them just being the ‘ilaw ng tahanan.’ This piece portrays them as resourceful, actively pursuing and achieving their dreams.”

PLDT Home shares Eric’s view of women playing a central role in the community. Recent data from the Philippine Commission on Women shows that women own 66 percent of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and lead 62 percent of newly registered businesses.

Gawad Madiskarte Awards began as a humble community powered by PLDT Home. It has since grown into a nationwide network of more than 225,000 women entrepreneurs—one of the largest in the country. On March 28, 2026, the fourth Gawad Madiskarte Awards ceremony will honor outstanding mompreneurs who are building enterprises designed to endure—generating livelihoods, supporting communities, and contributing meaningfully to economic development. At the event, they will receive Eric’s trophy design.

“‘Diskarte,’ for me, means believing in yourself, setting goals, and persevering. I’m proud to create this trophy for them. We all know how resourceful women are, especially moms today. I’m thrilled that I was able to create this piece for them,” Eric concludes.