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.
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. Soho's grandmothers, Sixta "Apo Ittang" Aspiras and Concepción "Cion" Soho, influenced her in telling stories. She is of Cantonese descent through her paternal grandfather with the surname Szeto ( å¸å¾Â; later baptized "Pedro Szeto" or "Pedro Soho"), who immigrated to the Philippines from Kaiping County, 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 (now GMA Integrated News and GMA Public Affairs) in January 1985. 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 1991, 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 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 Philippine Centennial celebrations.
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. She won the Asian Television Award for Best News and Current Affairs Special for the 2001 "Saksi Sa Kasaysayan" documentary.
In 2014, 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 2015, Soho was given an honorary doctorate in humanities by the University of Northeastern Philippines during its 67th commencement exercises on April.
Jessica Soho is widely regarded as one of the most respected journalists in the Philippines. Her commitment to in-depth reporting and storytelling has earned her numerous accolades and a strong following among viewers.
Soho's work has been credited with setting high standards in broadcast journalism, particularly through her long-running program, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. In 2022, she was recognized as one of the most trusted TV news personalities in the country, reflecting her significant influence on public opinion.
Beyond her reporting, Soho has become a cultural icon, often referenced in popular media and social discussions. Her interviews and features frequently trend on social media platforms, showcasing her ability to engage with a broad audience and address pressing societal issues. In 2023, she was honored as the Global Awardee for Journalism at the 13th The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) held in Los Angeles, California, recognizing her exceptional contribution to journalism.
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'".
British Embassy in Manila
Reader's Digest Trusted Brands Asia
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.
FemaleNetwork.com
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