WE first met Jessica Soho in “Brigada Siete” which was originally hosted by the late Louie Beltran, her journalism mentor in UP. We really admire her work, specially when she did the documentaries “Kamao” about boxing and “Kidneys for Sale” that eventually won the prestigious international Peabody Award.

And now, after almost four decades with GMA, she is certainly one of the most respected names in broadcast journalism who has won all available awards locally. And her “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” remains to be a toprating show every Sunday evening.

Jessica proudly remains a Kapuso as she renews her contract with GMA Network on May 31, and commits to carry on with her mission of sharing the Filipinos’ story around the globe. Jessica gave the Philippines its first-ever George Foster Peabody award in 1999 and earned another Peabody win in 2014. She became the first Filipino to be nominated and to have won in the New York Festivals (NYF) TV & Film Awards. She holds the distinction of having won all the medal categories at the NYF.

‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’ took home the Gold World Medal earlier this year – the show’s third World Medal after winning Bronze Medals in 2019 and 2022. Her other former programs ‘State of the Nation with Jessica Soho’ and ‘Brigada’ have also brought home Silver and Bronze Medals in previous NYF Awards.

Before she was elevated to the Hall of Fame, Soho was the “Most Trusted TV Host for News and Current Affairs” by the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards for 13 consecutive years. She was also the first UP College of Mass Communication alumna to receive the Gawad Plaridel Award for Journalism.

Yet through all these accolades, Soho, who is a self-confessed “promdi” or “a small town girl from La Union, who made good,” remains grounded and focused on her goal: to serve the public and do good. And despite her success, she also remains humble and very nice every time we’d see her. GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon underscores the value of Jessica to the Network.

“Jessica Soho is not only ‘The Philippines’ most awarded broadcast journalist,’ she is also one of GMA Network’s most-prized gems. Bilang isa sa mga itinuturing na mukha ng GMA Network, naging matibay na institusyon si Jessica ng GMA News, at isa siya sa mga nirerespetong haligi ng award-winning team ng GMA Public Affairs,” says Atty. Gozon. “Ang ‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’ ay patuloy na number 1 sa viewers at humahakot ng karangalan sa loob at labas ng bansa. Kaya hindi kataka-taka, na mula noon, hanggang ngayon, isa pa rin siya sa mga tinitingalang broadcast journalist sa Pilipinas. Kaya naman, ako at ang buong GMA Network ay nagagalak na nananatili siyang Kapuso.”

Soho’s heart is full of gratitude as she remains a loyal Kapuso. “Thank you very much. Walang hanggang pasasalamat,” she says to the Network that has been her home since 1985. “GMA has been my home for the past 38 years and counting. Kung walang GMA, walang Jessica Soho. Ganun lang iyun kasimple.”

Jessica is one of the main driving forces behind GMA Network’s News and Public Affairs. From her ideas, some of the country’s most iconic public affairs shows were born. Among these were ‘Brigada Siete,’ ‘Emergency,’ and ‘I-Witness.’

Her passion to tell stories from all walks of life extends to creating new concepts for television – some of which became hit TV series.

“I think God blessed me with an overactive mind, kaya dapat lang i-share even my craziest of thoughts,” she says.

Soho was behind the idea of the hit adventure series ‘Lolong.’ She takes a step further to reach more audiences with “The GMA Public Affairs Talk” as it goes around the Philippines soon. The first leg was called “The New York Festival Medalists & The National Artist GMA Public Affairs Talk on Storytelling and Producing,” where Soho shared to GMA staff and employees her extensive experience in reporting and broadcasting spanning almost four decades. GMA Public Affairs is planning a road show version of this, which will be open to students and young professionals.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Mario Bautista