TECNO Teams Up with Angélica Dass to Showcase Solo Motherhood in the Philippines

TECNO and Angélica Dass: A Celebration of Solo Motherhood in the Philippines

In a groundbreaking initiative, TECNO, in collaboration with noted artist Angélica Dass, has launched a portrait gallery entitled "100 Portraits of Becoming" in the Philippines. This gallery stands as a moving testament to the varied narratives surrounding solo motherhood, showcasing the lives of 20 Filipinos who embody this experience in unique ways.

The Essence of the Project

The project, titled "See Beyond Labels," aims to transcend traditional perceptions of solo motherhood by presenting a rich tapestry of stories from individuals whose lives intersect with the concept in one way or another. The portraits and personal anecdotes, now available on TECNO's global story archive, serve to remind viewers that every societal label, including "solo mom," is merely a surface-level description of deeper, more complex individual identities.

Launched on October 25, 2026, in Manila, this gallery is part of a larger two-year documentary portrait project that spans five countries, aiming to explore identity, ambition, and the intricate layers comprised by family dynamics. The Philippines chapter is particularly poignant given the context of its families, with nearly 15 million solo parents in the country, predominantly women who often bear the weight of providing for their families amidst and beyond challenges.

The Diverse Voices Within the Gallery

Among the celebrated participants featured is Ely Haig, a solo working mother who embodies resilience. Balancing her career in advertising with motherhood and a passion for sports, Ely’s story reflects the complex realities many women face. She asserts, "Being a good mother shouldn't mean leaving yourself behind," highlighting her belief in the multifaceted identities women can maintain beyond traditional societal roles.

Similarly, Twinkle Dimayuga Zamora turned her experiences as a solo mother into a community initiative, MAMA, aimed at advocating for other mothers in similar situations. Her frank acknowledgment of vulnerability—stating that sometimes the strongest action a mother can take is to ask for help—underscores the theme of community and cooperation inherent in the narratives.

Eunice N. Angeles also shares a powerful story from her upbringing as the daughter of a solo mother who worked overseas. Her narrative emphasizes the interconnectedness of ambition and identity, revealing how her mother's journey continues to inspire her own path.

Artistic Representation and Technology

The portraits, taken with TECNO’s CAMON Slim 5G utilizing Universal Tone technology, emphasize authentic representation of individuals from different backgrounds. This technology aims to showcase the beautiful spectrum of human skin tones, reinforcing the project’s commitment to capturing individual stories as they truly are.

Embracing the Complexity of Identity

Angélica Dass’s photography captures more than just faces; it reveals the individual narratives that exist beneath the surface. According to Dass, the Philippines chapter crystallizes the understanding that "solo motherhood" is merely one aspect of a person’s identity. The stories behind each portrait represent various ambitions, relationships, and daily realities—celebrating the rich, layered lives that go beyond any singular label.

The portrait sessions took place in meaningful environments directly linked to each participant's life, whether at work, in the home, or within community spaces. This is reflective of TECNO's core philosophy, emphasizing how technology and art can collaborate to shed light on authenticity and humanity.

A Call to Recognize Individual Narratives

As TECNO’s General Manager Jack Guo notes, the Philippines chapter of the project has illuminated the way motherhood, ambition, and identity converge within individual lives. The hope is that through this project, audiences will come to appreciate the complexities of identities that cannot simply be defined by societal labels. As this portrait gallery weaves personal stories together, it reinforces the importance of recognizing the lived experiences behind each title, transcending the one-dimensional views often influenced by societal perceptions.

With the launch in the Philippines marking an expansion from its predecessor in Kenya, the "100 Portraits of Becoming" project serves to enrich the global conversation surrounding identity and personal narratives. As TECNO continues to gather stories, more portraits will undoubtedly emerge, each contributing to a broader understanding of humanity and the diverse experiences that shape who we are.

This remarkable collaboration between technology and art not only elevates the voices of solo mothers but invites all of us to see beyond labels and appreciate the intricate tapestry of human stories that exist everywhere around us.