Everyone moves with a different purpose. Some are driven by ambition, others by service, and others still by a quiet spark of curiosity that grows into something bigger.
This is the spirit behind Movers of Tomorrow, MPT Mobility’s new storytelling platform that spotlights real people powering progress in their own communities. From grassroots entrepreneurs to creative problem-solvers, these are the individuals redefining what it means to move forward—with drive, purpose, and a desire to make a difference.
Launched as part of MPT Mobility’s key thrust of #MobilizingProgressTogether, Movers of Tomorrow celebrates changemakers whose journeys reflect how innovation, passion, and purpose can fuel collective growth—mirroring MPT Mobility’s commitment to helping Filipinos move freely and meaningfully through smart, connected mobility solutions.
For its first feature, MPT Mobility introduces Harold Zapata, a young entrepreneur from San Fernando, Pampanga, who has turned a simple idea into a thriving urban garden—one leafy head of lettuce at a time.
He was just 21 and still a marketing student when a YouTube video on hydroponics sparked his curiosity. With no background in agriculture and only P1,000 in savings, Harold started small: building a DIY greenhouse from scraps of wood, bamboo, and plastic sheets, and diving deep into Facebook groups and online forums to learn everything he could.
“I saw this video about lettuce growing in water and thought, ‘Why not?’” Zapata said. “I didn’t know anything about farming. I just knew I wanted to try.”
With each experiment, he learned more about pH levels, nutrient solutions, and plant spacing. What he lacked in capital, he made up for in persistence.
Today, his compact 1,700-square-meter farm, Plant Habitat, is home to over 2,000 heads of lettuce, basil, and arugula. On some days, the scent of herbs fills the space.
As his harvests multiplied, orders started coming in from local buyers, and eventually, from customers in Manila who were drawn to the freshness of his greens and the story behind them.
“People started rooting for me. That made me want to keep going,” Zapata shared.
“It’s cost-effective and more controlled. You can automate most of the system, so you’re really making the most out of your time and resources.”
By providing fresh, high-quality greens to shops like Xtremely Xpresso in Clark and Kadiwa stores in Pampanga, Harold’s farm is helping others thrive, too. His work is a sweet reminder that purposeful ventures, no matter how small they start, can have a wide-reaching impact.
“We believe that mobility isn’t just about vehicles and tollways—it’s about enabling people to move forward in life, whatever their passion or pursuit may be. That’s the kind of positive progressive movement that we hope to support through our work,” said Reneé Funtanilla, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience at MPT Mobility.
“Stories like Harold’s remind us that one simple idea, when nurtured with purpose, can become a catalyst—not just for personal growth, but for uplifting others as well. That’s the kind of everyday progress we hope to support through our work,” Funtanilla added.
