MANILA, Philippines – For its sixth year, TNC (The New Channel) and Global Women Who RULE proudly continue the annual celebration of Me and My Outstanding Mother (MeMOM 2026), a heartfelt initiative dedicated to honoring the strength, love, and sacrifices of mothers. This year’s theme, “Built on Her Love, Rooted in Home,” highlights how mothers remain the foundation of every family—creating spaces filled with care, resilience, and unconditional support.
MeMOM 2026 goes beyond a simple celebration, serving as a platform where real stories of motherhood and family connection are shared and uplifted. Through the TNC platform, mothers and daughters are encouraged to open their hearts and tell stories of growth, challenges, and love that shape their relationships. These narratives reflect how deeply rooted a mother’s influence is in every home and how her love continues to guide generations.
As it marks its 6th year, MeMOM 2026 invites everyone to take part in the celebration by sharing tributes and stories with the hashtag #MeMOM2026. The initiative recognizes mothers not only as caregivers but also as leaders, mentors, and changemakers whose impact extends far beyond their homes. Through this ongoing movement, TNC and Global Women Who RULE continue to honor the women whose love truly builds and roots every home.
FRANCE & NICOLE ESPINOSA
France Espinosa is a loving mother, entrepreneur, and inspiring leader known for her warmth, resilience, and dedication to helping others succeed. With years of experience in administration, business, and leadership, she continues to make a positive impact through her work, creativity, and compassionate heart.
Her daughter, Nicole Alexa Espinosa, is a passionate and talented young achiever currently pursuing a BS in Food Technology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. A consistent academic scholar with a love for music, art, and leadership, Nicole is admired for her thoughtful nature, creativity, and genuine kindness.
Together, France and Nicole embody a beautiful relationship built on love, inspiration, support, and shared passion for making meaningful connections.
TET & ERICKA CANLAS
Tet Dimar-Canlas is the CEO of AnswerKey Global Solutions, a business consulting and accounting firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs build profitable and compliant businesses. A second-generation business owner, wife, mother, marathoner, and community leader, Tet believes in creating a life filled with purpose, balance, and abundance.
Joining her is her 15-year-old daughter, Ericka Canlas, who enjoys reading, playing badminton, traveling, and baking cookies. As the eldest sister to her two younger brothers, Ericka is known for her caring, patient, and warm personality at home.
Together, Tet and Ericka share a close and loving bond through shopping dates, food trips, travels, and creating beautiful memories as mother and daughter.
ANTOINETTE & SEIDEE SOLIS
Antoinette Solis is a Regional Director for Southeast Asia representing an international school based in Germany. Passionate about education and global opportunities, she is dedicated to helping aspiring students pursue their academic dreams in Europe by providing guidance, support, and mentorship toward a brighter future abroad.
Beyond her professional achievements, Antoinette is also a devoted mother to her children, Seidee and Arkin, gracefully balancing career, leadership, and family life.
Her daughter, Seidee Solis, is a passionate music lover who enjoys singing and playing the guitar. A thoughtful and intelligent young woman, Seidee actively volunteers in senior high school retreats, showing both leadership and a heart for service. She enjoys expressing herself through music alongside her bandmates while continuing to value meaningful moments with family and loved ones.
Together, Antoinette and Seidee share a strong bond built on love, creativity, purpose, and meaningful connection.
SOPHIA & JOY EJERCITO
IDr. Joy J. Ejercito and IDr. Sophia J. Ejercito represents a dynamic mother-and-daughter partnership in the field of interior design, blending experience, creativity, and shared purpose in creating meaningful spaces that inspire and enhance lives.
With over three decades of professional experience, Joy Ejercito is a licensed interior designer, entrepreneur, and industry leader. As President of Legacy by Ejercito Inc. (LBEI), she has built a respected full-service design and construction firm known for excellence, integrity, and purposeful design. Beyond her professional practice, she actively contributes to the advancement of the interior design industry through leadership roles in PIID, CHED, and BNI, while continuing to inspire others through her upcoming memoir, “Through the ID Lens: A Life Designed for Legacy.”
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Sophia Ejercito is a licensed interior designer and BSID graduate who brings a fresh, thoughtful, and detail-oriented approach to the profession. As part of LBEI, she helps transform creative concepts into functional and beautifully executed spaces that reflect each client’s vision and lifestyle. Passionate about purposeful design, Sophia continues to grow as a young professional grounded in creativity, empathy, and collaboration.
Together, Joy and Sophia embody a shared philosophy rooted in integrity, innovation, and meaningful design. Beyond their professional work, they enjoy traveling, shopping, watching movies, attending events, and playing golf and badminton — moments that continue to strengthen their close mother-and-daughter bond.
CHRISTINE & RICA ROBLES
Christine Robles is a devoted wife, mother, entrepreneur, and community leader who beautifully balances family, business, and service with passion and purpose. She has led Grills & Sizzles Steakhouse since 1999, growing it into a beloved dining brand while also expanding into a successful catering business capable of serving thousands of guests. She also continues her family’s culinary legacy as a second-generation leader of Pansit Malabon by Country Noodles.
Alongside her husband, Christine actively serves in Couples for Christ, leading programs that strengthen faith and family values. Despite her many responsibilities, she remains deeply committed to intentional parenting and creating meaningful time with her four children.
Joining her is her daughter, Rica Robles, a talented young ballerina whose passion and discipline have earned her recognition in prestigious local and international dance competitions. With numerous awards, performances, and scholarships from renowned ballet academies in Singapore and Japan, Rica continues to shine as a promising young artist.
Beyond dance, Rica is admired for her creativity, kindness, and thoughtful personality. Whether helping at ballet school, making homemade treats for her siblings, or creating handmade gifts for friends, she inspires others through both talent and heart.
Together, Christine and Rica share a beautiful bond built on love, discipline, creativity, faith, and meaningful family connections.
AIRA & YZA NAIG
Mommy Aira is a remarkable woman whose life reflects dedication, excellence, and grace. With over two decades of experience in finance, audit, and commercial operations in Dubai, UAE, she has built an impressive professional career grounded in integrity and leadership. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA, USA), Aira also earned her MBA in Leadership with Merit from a university in the United Kingdom.
She currently serves as Commercial Excellence Lead for Central East Europe, the Middle East & Africa (CEEMEA) at Baxter AG, a leading global pharmaceutical and medical device company. Beyond her corporate achievements, Aira remains deeply committed to serving her faith community through leadership and worship ministry at The First United Methodist Church Dubai.
Above all, she is a loving and devoted mother to her daughters, Kitkit and Leila, nurturing them with wisdom, faith, and unconditional love.
Her eldest daughter, Kitkit, shines with her own remarkable talents and character. A gifted young lady, she enjoys singing, dancing, drawing, and playing musical instruments such as the guitar, piano, and drums. A consistent academic achiever and natural leader, Kitkit is admired for her confidence, eloquence, creativity, and inspiring personality.
Like her mother, she also serves as a worship leader, sharing a passion for music, faith, and service. Grounded, respectful, and caring toward her younger sister, Kitkit brings joy and warmth to their family through her vibrant spirit, kindness, and love for life.
Together, Aira and Kitkit share a beautiful bond built on faith, love, leadership, and inspiration — a relationship that continues to uplift and inspire those around them.
SANDY & STEPHANIE MONTANO
Sandy Montano is a compassionate leader, entrepreneur, and devoted mother who leads with the same heart at home as she does in the boardroom. As CEO of CHEERS Global Nursing Homecare, she has spent more than 30 years championing kalinga in healthcare by building programs that train Filipino caregivers, uplift the elderly, and bring quality nursing care into homes across the Philippines.
A loving mother to Joseph, Angelo, and Stephanie, Sandy’s leadership is deeply rooted in the values of compassion, service, and family. Her remarkable contributions have earned her recognition as the 1st ASEAN Woman Leader and one of the 100 Most Influential Women in the World. She also previously served as Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women.
Joining her is her daughter, Stephanie Montano, whose warmth and creativity shine through her passion for baking. Known for her delicious pastries and signature Dubai chewy cookies, Stephanie creates moments of comfort and joy for family, friends, and the CHEERS community. For her, the kitchen is a place where love, patience, and care come together in every recipe she shares.
Together, Sandy and Stephanie represent two generations of women who lead with compassion and heart — one through healthcare and service, the other through sweetness, creativity, and meaningful connections. Their bond reflects a shared commitment to caring for others and creating joy wherever they go.
MERLEE & SABINE JAYME
Merlee Cruz-Jayme is a globally awarded creative leader, entrepreneur, author, and founder of The Misfits Camp and Jayme Headquarters, organizations that champion creativity through inclusion and neurodiversity. Known as the Creative Chairmom®, she made history as the first Filipino named Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 2025 Women Leading Change of the Year and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion, alongside receiving prestigious honors including the ADFEST Lotus Legend Award and Tambuli Asia Pacific Agency Leader of the Year. Formerly the Chief Creative Officer for Asia Pacific at Dentsu and Global President of Dentsu McGarryBowen, Merlee considers motherhood her most meaningful creative role, raising four uniquely creative daughters.
Joining her is her daughter, Sabine Jayme, a public relations professional at Porter’s Group whose creativity shines through craftsmanship, storytelling, and design. A former ballerina with a passion for handmade art, miniatures, and fashion, Sabine brings imagination and thoughtful detail into both her personal creations and professional work.
Together, Merlee and Sabine represent two generations of women proving that creativity is not just a profession, but a meaningful way of expressing, caring, and connecting.
ELSA & JIZELLE VALENZUELA
Elsa Dela Paz Valenzuela is a dedicated leader, exporter advocate, and loving mother whose life and career have been shaped by service, leadership, and a genuine desire to help others grow. Currently serving as Deputy Executive Director of the Export Development Council, she has spent years championing Filipino exporters and contributing to initiatives that strengthen Philippine trade, including the implementation of the ATA Carnet system in the country. Grounded in faith, family, and community service, Elsa is admired not only for her professionalism and commitment to public service, but also for the compassion and sincerity she brings to both work and family life.
Joining her is her daughter, Jizelle Valenzuela, a passionate food technologist and graduate of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Believing that “food is the ultimate love language,” Jizelle combines science, creativity, and heart in developing meaningful food experiences that bring comfort, joy, and connection to others. Known for her warm spirit and dedication to her craft, she carries with her the values instilled by her mother — resilience, hard work, and the importance of serving others with sincerity.
Together, Elsa and Jizelle represent two generations of women connected by love, purpose, and service — proving that a mother’s guidance and values can inspire the next generation to create meaningful impact in their own unique way.
JIE & JERLYN ABERCA
Jerlyn is a dedicated sister, daughter, and steward. Originally going to school to pursue criminology and forensics, life gave the opportunity for a chance to pivot and Jerlyn began working alongside her mom in finance, which laid the foundational groundwork of lessons in leadership and strong character. She now acts as partner and co-owner of their family business. Along with that, she also follows other pursuits through growing a tax preparation practice as well as acting as head of HR for PACE, a Filipino-American nonprofit in Dallas Texas.
Jie is a woman who wear many hats – the light of their home, an entrepreneur, a speaker, a visionary leader. She was born from humble beginnings in Bicol Region, where she fully enjoyed her childhood despite the lack of economic comfort. Most of her life is a story of grit and perseverance, that she carried through her career and in strengthening the values of her family and growing their business.
From a critical nurse to transitioning to revenue cycle when she was in healthcare, Jie collected all the knowledge, skills, network & lessons that she would leverage as foundation when she left her career to build a brokerage in the financial services industry. In finance was where she was deeply immersed and involved in personal development and leadership, and was mentored by some of the greats in the industry. In return, she mentored many agents in her brokerage and coached them to success.
A proud mom to 2 wonderful, kindhearted kids – GJ & Dallas, today, Jie runs and oversees the executive leadership of Abound Group, a service and resource provider company specializing in engineering and healthcare industries based in Dallas, Texas, a company she co-founded with her daughter Jerlyn.
Now, let us warmly welcome our special guests — led by our very own Ms. Apple Esplana-Manansala — together with our valued sponsors, partners, and distinguished guests whose support and presence made this meaningful celebration possible.
Meet Michelle C. Salon, proud Marketing Officer of Anihan Technical School, as she joins this meaningful celebration of motherhood, love, and family.
We are delighted to welcome special guests: Mys and Moira Sandico, along with Ms. Belay Santillan to join us in celebrating the unwavering love, strength, and sacrifices of mothers everywhere.
Get ready for an inspiring and heartfelt celebration as our hosts, Kathy Solis Davila and Reina Pelayo Lino, take the stage for MeMOM 2026 in honor of the love, strength, and sacrifices of mothers everywhere.
Filled with uplifting conversations and meaningful moments, MeMOM 2026 shines a spotlight on the enduring bond between mothers and daughters, and the women whose love and resilience continue to inspire generations.
We are also honored to welcome Kathleen Follero, Karaoke World Championship Philippines 2025 Champion, to this year’s #MeMOM2026 celebration! As she delivers a heartfelt performance of the Philippine National Anthem.
This year, The New Channel, the show producer of the advocacy program Global Women Who RULE, launches #MeMOM2026 in partnership with McDonald’s. Similar to the past years, the event will be a 2-hour live stream, expected to have a roller coaster of emotions. The event is a post Mother’s Day celebration and will launch a campaign that promotes “date with your Mom (family), everyday not just on Mother’s Day. #MeMOM2026 is an afternoon celebration full of love, laughter, and relatable stories!
A heartfelt thank you to Anihan Technical School, our valued Partner Beneficiary, for joining this meaningful advocacy that uplifts women, strengthens families, and empowers communities through education and compassion.
Encouraging the celebration of Mother’s Day, everyone — everyone is invited to watch and participate in a fun, feel-good hybrid event that honors the beautiful bond between the amazing daughters and their outstanding mothers, who will bravely take the online stage and share their beautiful stories.
Join and stay tuned to The New Channel platform! 🎥
29 May 2026, Friday, 2:00 PM PHT
📍 McDonald’s Frontera Verde Tiendesitas, Pasig City, Philippines
Special thanks to the following partners, supporters, and donors for making the event possible:
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