Jessica Soho

Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho (; born March 27, 1964) is a Filipino broadcast journalist affiliated with GMA Network. She is the host of the news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA, and was the news anchor for State of the Nation on GMA News TV (now GTV) from 2011 to 2021.

Soho is a multi-awarded journalist. In 1998, Soho became the first Filipino to win the British Fleet Street Award for Journalism. In 1999, Soho and the I-Witness team received the Philippines' first Peabody Award for producing the "Kidneys for Sale" and "Kamao" documentaries. Soho's story of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley made her the first Filipino to win in the New York Film Festival.

Early life Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho was born on March 27, 1964, in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines. Her parents are Abelardo Soho, a government employee, and Maura Aspiras, an agriculturist.

In her high school years, she attended Christ The King College (La Union) and after graduating, Soho went on to attend the University of the Philippines Diliman to study mass communication. One of her professors was Luis Beltran, who inspired Soho to finish her studies and practice journalism in Manila.

Career

Soho joined GMA News and GMA Public Affairs in January 1985.

In 1991, Soho earned a Bronze Award at the New York Film Festival for her coverage of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley,

Soho helped conceptualize the one-hour documentary television program I-Witness, which she co-presented from its premiere in 1999 to 2004. The I-Witness documentaries "Kidneys for Sale" and "Kamao" made her the first Filipino reporter, with GMA Network as the first Filipino network, to win a Peabody Award in 1999.

In 2015, Soho was given an honorary doctorate in humanities by the University of Northeastern Philippines during its 67th commencement exercises on April.

Controversies In May 2013, a controversy sparked involving Soho and comedian Vice Ganda, involving a joke directed at the anchor during the latter's concert held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Vice mentioned Soho, among several other personalities, in a stand-up skit involving celebrities starring in a hypothetical 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. Soho later acknowledged Vice's apology but she denied any intent to close any further discussion with the comedian.

In June 2021, Nas Daily announced that Soho, among other known Filipino personalities, which include Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, fashion designer Michael Cinco, and food vlogger Erwan Heussaff would teach courses through his Nas Academy. However, following the Whang-od controversy, Jessica Soho has made a statement that she would no longer pursue the Jessica Soho course in Nas Academy.

In January 2022, Soho was accused of being "biased" against Bongbong Marcos, a presidential candidate in the 2022 Philippine presidential election, by his spokesman Vic Rodriguez after declining to participate in The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews on GMA Network. GMA responded to Rodriguez's claim on Marcos' absence, saying "Throughout her career, Ms. Soho has consistently been named the most trusted media personality in the Philippines by both local and foreign organizations, a testament to her embodiment of the GMA News and Public Affairs ethos: 'Walang Kinikilingan, Walang Pinoprotektahan, Serbisyong Totoo Lamang'".

Accolades International recognitions

British Embassy in Manila Year Category Result Ref. 1998 Fleet Street Awardee for Investigative Journalism

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

Local recognitions Adamson University Year Category Result Ref. 2012 Adamson University Media Award

ALTA Media Icon Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2015 Best Magazine Program Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Anak TV Seal Award Year Category Result Ref. 2007 Most Admired Female Personality Awardee 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Hall of Famer

Catholic Mass Media Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2002 Best Public Affairs Show Host Jessica Soho Reports

CCP Gawad Natatanging Parangal Year Category Result Ref. 1989 Special Award 1990

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

COMGUILD Center for Journalism Year Category Result Ref.2015 Media Persona of Excellence Hall of Fame for the Most Outstanding Female News Presenter

EdukCircle Awards Year Category Result Ref. 2012 World Achiever in Documentary Most Outstanding Filipino Documentarian of All Time 2013 Most Outstanding Journalist of the Year 2014 Best Female News Anchor of the Year 2015 Best Female News Anchor of the Year 2016 Best Magazine Show Host

Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc. Year Category Result Ref. 2014 Bayabay Media Award

FemaleNetwork.com Year Category Result Ref. 2013 Womanity Award in the field of Media

Gawad Duyan Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2014 Himay-Ulat Award State of the Nation with Jessica Soho

Gawad Pasado Awards Year Category Result Ref. 2015 PinakaPASADOng Mamamahayag sa Larangan ng Kamalayang Pilipino

Golden Dove Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2002 Best Public Affairs Show Host Jessica Soho Reports

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines Year Category Result Ref. 2014 CEO Excel Award

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 Outstanding Broadcaster of the Year

International Center for Communication Studies (ICCS) Year Category Result Ref. 2012 Most Outstanding Filipino Documentarian of All Time

Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Year Category Result Ref.1999 Best Host in Golden Dove Awards Broadcaster of the Year (Ka Doroy Valnecia Award)

Mary Kay Philippines Year Category Result Ref. 2003 Women with a Heart Award

Metro Pacific Corporation Journalism Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 1997 Political Reporter of the Year Award "The Ipil Massacre" coverage

Metrobank Foundation Year Category Result Ref. 2001 Outstanding Broadcast Journalist Award

MTRCB TV Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2009 Best Female Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Paragala Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.2015 Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Best News Program Female Anchor State of the Nation with Jessica Soho

Platinum Stallion Media Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2015 Best Female News Anchor State of the Nation with Jessica Soho

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

PMPC Star Awards for Television Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2002 Best Magazine Show Host Jessica Soho Reports 2003 2004 2006 Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho 2007 Best Public Service Program Host Sana'y Muling Makapiling Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho 2008 Best Public Service Program Host Reunions Best Public Affairs Program Host Hot Seat Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho 2009 Best Public Service Program Host Reunions Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho 2010 Best Public Service Program Host Reunions Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho 2011 Best Female Newscaster State of the Nation with Jessica Soho Best Public Affairs Program Host Brigada Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award 2012 Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Best Female Newscaster State of the Nation with Jessica Soho 2013 Best Public Service Program Host Reunions Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Best Female Newscaster State of the Nation with Jessica Soho 2014 Best Documentary Program Host Brigada Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Best Female Newscaster State of the Nation with Jessica Soho 2015 Best Magazine Show Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho ' Best Female Newscaster State of the Nation with Jessica Soho

School Press Advisers Movement (SPAM) Year Category Result Ref. 2014 Award of Excellence in the Field of Broadcasting

PUP Mabini Media Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.2014 Best Television Female News Program Anchor State of the Nation with Jessica Soho Best Television Magazine Program Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) Year Category Result Ref. 2001 Broadcast Journalism

Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award Year Category Result Ref. 1993 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award

Rotary Club of Manila Year Category Result Ref. 1989 TV Journalist of the Year 1990 2003 Hall of Fame, Journalism Awards for Broadcast Journalism

UmalohokJUAN Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2015 Best News Anchor State of the Nation with Jessica Soho

UPLB Gandingan Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2008 Best Magazine Program HostKapuso Mo, Jessica Soho 2011 Best Magazine Program Host 2012 Best Magazine Program Host Hall of Fame for Best Magazine Program Host 2013 Best News AnchorState of the Nation with Jessica Soho 2015 Best News Anchor Best Investigative Program Host Brigada Best Magazine Program Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

USTv Students' Choice Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2013 Best Female News & Current Affairs Program Host State of the Nation with Jessica Soho 2014 Students' Choice of Magazine Program Host Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Students' Choice for News Program Host State of the Nation with Jessica Soho Student Leaders' Choice of TV Personality 2015 Students' Choice for Female News Host State of the Nation with Jessica Soho

Honors Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa – University of Northeastern Philippines (2015)