In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Aspiras and the surname or paternal family name is Soho.
Quick facts for kids Jessica Soho | |
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Soho with fellow journalist Jiggy Manicad in | |
| Born | Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho () March 27, (age 60) San Fernando, La Union, Philippines |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | –present |
Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho (Tagalog:[ˌdʒɛsiˈka ˈsɔho]; born March 27, ) is a Filipino broadcast journalist affiliated with GMA Network. She is the host of the news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (since ) on GMA, and was the news anchor for State of the Nation on GTV from to
Soho is a multi-awarded journalist. In , Soho became the first Filipino to win the British Fleet Street Award for Journalism. In , 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.
Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho was born on March 27, , in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines. Her parents are Abelardo Soho, a government employee, and Maura Aspiras, an agriculturist. Soho's grandmothers, Sixta "Apo Ittang" Aspiras and Concepción "Cion" Soho, influenced her in telling stories. She is of Chinese descent through her paternal grandfather who immigrated to the Philippines from Guangdong, China in the early 20th century.
Soho attended 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.
Soho joined GMA News and Public Affairs in January 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 beats.
In , Soho earned a Bronze Award at the New York Film Festival for her coverage of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley, the first for a Filipino. She also received the Ka Doroy Valencia Award given by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas. In , 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 Filipino Women of Distinction chosen during the Philippine Centennial celebrations.
Soho helped conceptualize the one-hour documentary television program I-Witness, which she co-presented from its premiere in to 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 She won the Asian Television Award for Best News and Current Affairs Special for the "Saksi Sa Kasaysayan" documentary.
In , Soho's GMA news programs Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho and State of the Nation with Jessica Soho were recognized by the Peabody Awards 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.
In , Soho was given an honorary doctorate in humanities by the University of Northeastern Philippines during its 67th commencement exercises on April.
British Embassy in Manila
Reader's Digest Trusted Brands Asia
Adamson University
ALTA Media Icon Awards
Anak TV Seal Award
Catholic Mass Media Awards
CCP Gawad Natatanging Parangal
CLASS Awards (City of Malabon University)
COMGUILD Center for Journalism
EdukCircle Awards
Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc.
Gawad Duyan Awards
Gawad Pasado Awards
Golden Dove Awards
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines
International Business and Academe Conference's Service Excellence and Partners Awards
International Center for Communication Studies (ICCS)
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas
Mary Kay Philippines
Metro Pacific Corporation Journalism Awards
Metrobank Foundation
MTRCB TV Awards
Paragala Awards
Platinum Stallion Media Awards
PMAP Makatao Awards for Media Excellence
PMPC Star Awards for Television
School Press Advisers Movement (SPAM)
PUP Mabini Media Awards
The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS)
Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award
Rotary Club of Manila
UmalohokJUAN Awards
UPLB Gandingan Awards
USTv Students' Choice Awards