When sculptor Eric Masangkay began sketching ideas for this year’s Gawad Madiskarte trophy, he thought about a familiar figure whose resilience and determination inspired the very form of the sculpture—a mother.
The result is a slender, upward-reaching form cast in mixed metals, balanced on rough stone, a visual metaphor for perseverance. The sculpture will be awarded to outstanding mompreneurs at the fourth Gawad Madiskarte ceremony, an initiative of PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH community.
Masangkay said the idea felt familiar. Many of his works focus on perseverance, aspiration, and the quiet strength people show in everyday life. He created a figure in motion for the trophy, reaching upward to reflect determination and the pursuit of possibility.
“Moms and women in general are the backbone of our society. The sculpture represents their perseverance to reach their goals while redefining the traditional notion of being the ‘light of the home,’” he said.
Masangkay created the trophy using brass and other mixed metals, materials he often explores in his work. The sculpture also incorporates wood and stone, a combination he said reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of Filipino women.
“Different materials, different stories. It’s also like a reflection of women,” he stated.
The concept took about a month to develop, starting with sketches before moving into three-dimensional form. Masangkay worked on the trophy himself, from design to completion, a process he described as both technical and intuitive.
While his sculptures are often displayed in galleries and exhibitions, the artist said designing a trophy for everyday Filipinas carries a different kind of meaning.
“I’m also proud to see the trophy I made for them. We all know how resourceful women are, especially moms,” Masangkay shared.
The theme of perseverance is also personal for Masangkay. He was raised by a single mother, whose determination left a lasting impression on him.
“When my father passed away, my mother was the one who supported us. She was a vendor. She was truly resourceful,” he added.
Today, his mother remains one of his strongest supporters, often present during exhibitions and award ceremonies throughout his career.
Masangkay’s path to sculpture began with drawing and painting. As a child, he spent hours studying the images in comic books and cartoons around his neighborhood, drawn to the visuals even before he learned how to read. He later pursued fine arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he eventually discovered his talent in sculpting, which allowed him to express movement and emotion in ways painting could not.
After graduating, he briefly worked for an export company producing sculptures, an experience that helped refine his craft before he established his own artistic voice.
Now, through the Gawad Madiskarte trophy, his work will find its way into the hands of women whose stories echo the resilience he has long explored in art.
“Hard work and perseverance. That’s what it represents,” he stated.
Organized by PLDT Home, the 4th Gawad Madiskarte will be held on March 28 at Seda BGC, recognizing outstanding mompreneurs across several categories.
