Melissa Y. Yap is the Founder and Executive Director of Got Heart Foundation, Inc., a social enterprise dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities—including farmers, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities—through livelihood, sustainability, and faith-driven advocacy.

Inspired by outreach work in her youth, Melissa founded Got Heart at age 22, fresh out of Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Development Studies. She later earned a Master’s in Entrepreneurship from the Asian Institute of Management. Her mission was simple but profound: to turn her faith into action.

In 2013, she launched Earth Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant in partnership with Hizon’s Catering. Located in Quezon City, Earth Kitchen features dishes made from scratch using produce from Got Heart farms in Tarlac and partner communities nationwide. The space also houses the Got Heart Shop, which sells local, all-natural goods from indigenous and small-scale producers.

Next to the restaurant, Melissa opened the Got Heart Gallery in 2017, showcasing works by Filipino artists and providing therapy through art for children in partner communities. Sales from the gallery help fund Got Heart’s outreach and development programs.

Melissa’s leadership has been widely recognized. She was named a Paragon 100 Fellow in 2009 and a BPI Sinag Awardee in 2018 for her role in sustainable nation-building. Her work reflects a deep commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, faith, and community transformation—qualities that align with the values of the Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Award 2024.