Jessica Soho
Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho (born March 27, 1964) is a Filipino broadcast journalist known as the host of the news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA Network and formerly anchored the newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on GMA News TV. Soho is dubbed as the Asia's Powerhouse Journalist
Jessica Soho | |
|---|---|
 Soho in 2012 | |
| Born | Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho 27 March 1964 |
| Nationality |  Philippines |
| Education | University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Occupation | Broadcast Journalist Magazine Show Host Documentary Host |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Parent(s) | Abelardo Soho (father) Maura Aspiras (mother) |
| Awards | Asia Journalist of All Times Peabody Awardee |
Soho is a multi-awarded journalist.[1] In 1998, Soho became the first Filipino to win the British Fleet Journalism Award.[2] In 1998, Soho and the I-Witness team received a George Foster Peabody Award for the "Kidneys for Sale" and "Kamao".[3] Soho's story of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley made her the first Filipino to win in the New York Film Festival for Coverage of a Breaking Story.[4]
Early life
Soho was born in La Union province, Philippines. Soho's parents are Abelardo Soho, a government employee, and Maura Aspiras, an agriculturist.[1]
Soho's grandmothers, Sixta "Apo Ittang" Aspiras and Concepcion "Cion" Soho influenced her in telling stories.[1] At the UP College of Mass Communications, Soho met the journalist Luis Beltran, who inspired Soho to finish Mass Communications.
Career
Soho joined GMA News in January 1985.[1] Soho's first voice-over report was a feature story on the inauguration of the Manila Line 1 from Baclaran to Monumento. Soho was later assigned to the defense and military beat.
Soho is the first Filipino to win in the New York Film Festival for Coverage of a Breaking Story for her account of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley. She also received the Ka Doroy Valencia Award given by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas. In 1994, she received the Grand Prize from the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union for her coverage of a breaking news story. Soho is included in the list of 100 Filipino Women of Distinction chosen during the centennial celebration of the Philippines.
Soho helped conceptualize the one-hour documentary television program I-Witness[5] The documentaries "Kidneys for Sale" and "Kamao" made her the first Filipino reporter, with GMA Network as the first Filipino network, to win the George Foster Peabody Award in 1999.[4]
Soho was also recognized by the New York Film and Television Festival Award for her coverage of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley, and the Asian Television Award for Best News and Current Affairs Special for "Saksi Sa Kasaysayan".[4]
Soho's GMA news programs Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho and State of the Nation with Jessica Soho were recognized by the Peabody Awards in 2014 for their coverage on Super Typhoon Yolanda. State of the Nation also earned Soho consecutive wins for Most Trusted News Presenter by Reader's Digest Asia.[6][7]
In 2015, Soho was given an honorary doctorate in humanities by the University of Northeastern Philippines during its 67th Commencement Exercises on April.[8]
Controversy
In May 2013, a controversy sparked involving Soho and comedian Vice Ganda, involving a joke directed at the anchor during Vice's I Vice Ganda Mo Ako Sa Araneta concert held on May 17.[9] Vice mentioned Soho, among several other personalities, in a stand-up skit involving celebrities starring in a pornographic film, adding that Soho would be gang raped if she were cast, as well as making several jokes ridiculing her weight.
Vice Ganda later issued a public apology during his regular appearances in It's Showtime!, admitting to his wrongdoing and that he offended Soho and several others with his jokes. Jessica Soho later acknowledged Vice's apology but she denied any intent to close any further discussion with the comedian.[10]
Accolades
International recognitions
Asian TV Festival
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Best In Gown | Jessica Soho Reports | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Nominated | |||
British Embassy in Manila
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Fleet Street Awardee for Investigative Journalism | Won | |
Reader's Digest Trusted Brands Asia
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Digest's Most Trusted News Presenter | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | [6] |
| 2012 | Won | |||
| 2013 | Won | |||
| 2014 | Won | |||
| 2015 | Won | |||
| 2016 | Won | [7] | ||
| 2017 | Won | [11] |
Local recognitions
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Adamson University Media Award | Won | [12] |
ALTA Media Icon Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best Magazine Program Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | |
Anak TV Seal Award
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Most Admired Female Personality Awardee | Won | |
| 2008 | Won | ||
| 2009 | Won | ||
| 2010 | Won | ||
| 2011 | Won | ||
| 2012 | Won | ||
| 2013 | Hall of Famer | Won | |
Catholic Mass Media Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Best Public Affairs Show Host | Jessica Soho Reports | Won |
CCP Gawad Natatanging Parangal
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Special Award | Won | |
| 1990 | Won |
CLASS Awards (City of Malabon University)
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Most Outstanding Female News Presenter of the Year | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won |
COMGUILD Center for Journalism
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Media Persona of Excellence | Won | [13] |
| Hall of Fame for the Most Outstanding Female News Presenter | Won |
EdukCircle Awards
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | World Achiever in Documentary | Won | [14] |
| Most Outstanding Filipino Documentarian of All Time | Won | ||
| 2013 | Most Outstanding Journalist of the Year | Won | |
| 2014 | Best Female News Anchor of the Year | Won | |
| 2015 | Best Female News Anchor of the Year | Won | |
| 2016 | Best Magazine Show Host | Won |
Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc.
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bayabay Media Award | Won | [15] |
FemaleNetwork.com
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Womanity Award in the field of Media | Won | [16] |
Gawad Duyan Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Himay-Ulat Award | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | |
Gawad Pasado Awards
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | PinakaPASADOng Mamamahayag sa Larangan ng Kamalayang Pilipino | Won |
Golden Dove Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Best Public Affairs Show Host | Jessica Soho Reports | Won |
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | CEO Excel Award | Won | [17] |
International Business and Academe Conference’s Service Excellence and Partners Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Best TV Public Affairs Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | |
| Outstanding Broadcaster of the Year | N/A | Won |
International Center for Communication Studies (ICCS)
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Most Outstanding Filipino Documentarian of All Time | Won | [18] |
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Best Host in Golden Dove Awards | Won | |
| Broadcaster of the Year (Ka Doroy Valnecia Award) | Won | ||
Mary Kay Philippines
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Women with a Heart Award | Won |
Metro Pacific Corporation Journalism Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Political Reporter of the Year Award | "The Ipil Massacre" coverage | Won | |
Metrobank Foundation
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Outstanding Broadcast Journalist Award | Won | |
MTRCB TV Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Best Female Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | [19] |
Paragala Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | |
| Best News Program Female Anchor | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | ||
Platinum Stallion Media Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best Female News Anchor | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | |
PMAP Makatao Awards for Media Excellence
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best TV Public Affairs Program Host | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won |
PMPC Star Awards for Television
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Best Magazine Show Host | Jessica Soho Reports | Won | |
| 2003 | Nominated | |||
| 2004 | Nominated | |||
| 2006 | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Best Public Service Program Host | Sana'y Muling Makapiling | Nominated | |
| Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Best Public Service Program Host | Reunions | Nominated | |
| Best Public Affairs Program Host | Hot Seat | Won | ||
| Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Best Public Service Program Host | Reunions | Nominated | |
| Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | ||
| 2010 | Best Public Service Program Host | Reunions | Nominated | |
| Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | ||
| 2011 | Best Female Newscaster | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | |
| Best Public Affairs Program Host | Brigada | Nominated | ||
| Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Nominated | ||
| Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award | N/A | Won | ||
| 2012 | Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | |
| Best Female Newscaster | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Best Public Service Program Host | Reunions | Nominated | |
| Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | ||
| Best Female Newscaster | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Best Documentary Program Host | Brigada | Nominated | [20] |
| Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Nominated | ||
| Best Female Newscaster | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | ||
| 2015 | Best Magazine Show Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Nominated' | [21][22] |
| Best Female Newscaster | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | ||
School Press Advisers Movement (SPAM)
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Award of Excellence in the Field of Broadcasting | Won |
PUP Mabini Media Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Best Television Female News Program Anchor | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | |
| Best Television Magazine Program Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won |
The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS)
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Broadcast Journalism | Won | |
Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award | Won | |
Rotary Club of Manila
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | TV Journalist of the Year | Won | |
| 1990 | Won | ||
| 2003 | Hall of Fame, Journalism Awards for Broadcast Journalism | Won | |
UmalohokJUAN Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best News Anchor | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | |
UPLB Gandingan Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Best Magazine Program Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | |
| 2011 | Best Magazine Program Host | Won | ||
| 2012 | Best Magazine Program Host | Won | ||
| Hall of Fame for Best Magazine Program Host | Won | |||
| 2013 | Best News Anchor | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | |
| 2015 | Best News Anchor | Won | ||
| Best Investigative Program Host | Brigada | Won | ||
| Best Magazine Program Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | ||
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Best Female News & Current Affairs Program Host | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | |
| 2014 | Students' Choice of Magazine Program Host | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Won | [23] |
| Students' Choice for News Program Host | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won | ||
| Student Leaders' Choice of TV Personality | N/A | Won | ||
| 2015 | Students' Choice for Female News Host | State of the Nation with Jessica Soho | Won |
Honors
- Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa–University of Northeastern Philippines’ 67th Commencement Exercises (2015)
References
- Raquel, Butch S. (November 21, 2014). "The treasures of Jessica Soho". philstar.com. The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
Given the numerous awards she has received over the years, many people would consider Jessica to be an exceptional storyteller.
- "Jessica Soho: Filipino Awardee of British Fleet Street" (Tuesday, March 3, 1998). Manila Standard. March 3, 1998.
- "I-Witness wins Peabody award". philstar.com. The Philippine Star. April 8, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- "Jessica Soho cited for internationally acclaimed documentaries". GMA News Online. GMA Network, Inc. GMA News and Public Affairs. September 25, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- "10 years of 'I-Witness' tonight on GMA". mb.com.ph. Manila Bulletin. November 8, 2009.
- Lo, Ricky (July 16, 2015). "Jessica 5-time 'Most Trusted' TV person". philstar.com. The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- "GMA Network, Mike Enriquez at Jessica Soho, kinilala sa Reader's Digest Trusted Brand Awards". GMA News Online. GMA Network, Inc. July 1, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- "Jessica Soho to grace UNEP's 67th Commencement Exercises". Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- "Rape joke ni Vice Ganda tungkol kay Jessica Soho, binatikos" (in Tagalog). Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- "Vice Ganda speaks up on Jessica Soho joke". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
- GMA New Media, Inc. "GMA Network wins top honor in 2017 Reader's Digest Trusted Brands Awards | GMANetwork.com - Corporate - Articles". Retrieved 2018-08-20.
- "Jessica Soho, ginawaran ng 2nd Adamson University media award". GMA News Online. GMA Network, Inc. GMA News and Public Affairs. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Jessica Soho wins in COMGUILD Awards". The Mindanao Daily Mirror. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Jessica Soho, Sandra Aguinaldo at Maki Pulido, pinarangalan sa 8th Big Edukcircle Convention on Media Communication". GMA News Online. GMA Network, Inc. GMA News and Public Affairs. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
- "GMA News and Public Affairs pillars recognized at 2014 FPI Bayabay Media Awards". GMA Network Portal. GMA Network, Inc. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Womanity Award Winner Jessica Soho Thanks Those Who Voted for Her". FemaleNetwork.com. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Jessica Soho given CEO Excel Award". philstar.com. The Philippine Star. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Jessica Soho cited for internationally acclaimed documentaries". Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- "1st MTRCB TV Awards winners bared". pep.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "28th Star Awards for Television nominees revealed". pep.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal. 5 November 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
- "Alden Richards, Maja Salvador lead winners of 29th Star Awards for TV". Philippine Star. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, 2015 PMPC Star Awards for TV". Rappler. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- "GMA 7 thanks UST for the 10th USTv Awards (2014)". University of Santo Tomas. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2016.