Latest news with #JessicaSoho
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Jessica Soho inspires UP graduates with bold, heartfelt commencement speech
Award-winning Kapuso journalist Jessica Soho returned to her alma mater, the University of the Philippines Diliman, as the keynote speaker during its 114th General Commencement Exercises. In a stirring address, she reminded the graduates of the privilege and responsibility of being an 'Iskolar ng Bayan.' 'Eh ano ngayon kung UP ka?' she challenged. Soho urged graduates not to see the question as an insult, but as a reminder to use their voices and education for the greater good. She called on the Class of 2025, many of whom began their academic journey during the pandemic, to become agents of hope and change. 'With your voice, baka naman, meron nang pag-asa. Sana, kayo ang matagal nang hinihintay na pagbabago.' Soho emphasized empathy and social connection, reflecting on the Filipino values of loob and kapwa, saying: 'Hindi mo puwedeng sabihing maganda ang loob mo kung wala kang malasakit sa kapwa.' The veteran journalist also reflected on her own career, sharing how real-life relationships led her to powerful stories like her award-winning exposé 'Kidneys for Sale,' which influenced national policy on organ trafficking. She recounted her coverage of major events—from local tragedies like the 1990 Baguio earthquake and Super Typhoon Yolanda to global conflicts in Afghanistan and Israel. Soho urged graduates to stay grounded, ask questions, and use their privilege and tools to serve society. She ended her speech with a powerful challenge: 'Go rock the world!'
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Jessica Soho challenges UP Diliman graduates to be worthy of being 'Iskolar ng Bayan'
Jessica Soho delivered an inspiring keynote speech at the 114th General Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Diliman on Sunday. The veteran Kapuso broadcast journalist returned to her alma mater not only to celebrate the graduates' academic achievements but also to issue a call to action on the honor and responsibility of being an "Iskolar ng Bayan." "Eh ano ngayon kung UP kayo?" Soho asked. "Kapag may nagsabi sa inyo nito, don't be triggered, don't take it as an insult, but a gentle nudge, challenge or reminder na, 'Yes, UP tayo, what a blessing, but it is also a responsibility.'" Soho encouraged the Class of 2024, many of whom began college during the pandemic, to keep using their voices to inspire change. "With your voice, baka naman, may pag-asa na. Maybe you are the change we've long been waiting for," she said. She also urged graduates to stay connected to their communities, echoing the Filipino values of "loob" and "kapwa." "Hindi mo puwedeng sabihing maganda ang loob mo kung wala kang malasakit sa kapwa," she said. "UP and society must go hand in hand. We are not above the people, we are part of them," she added. The "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" journalist reminded the crowd that inspiration often comes from real-life stories. She shared how relationships helped her uncover some of the most important reports in her career. She recalled her award-winning investigative piece, "Kidneys for Sale," which exposed how impoverished Filipinos in Tondo were selling their organs to survive. "I would not have stumbled on another story if an old acquaintance did not trust me enough to lead me and my team to one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tondo, where poor men sell their kidneys," she said. "Because of our exposé, the government now regulates kidney donations. Bawal na, diumano, ang kidneys for sale," she added. "Update: marami pa rin ang nagbebenta ng kidney." Throughout her 40-year career, Soho also highlighted some of her most memorable media coverages, including the Afghanistan war in 2002, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the 1990 Baguio earthquake, the Ormoc flash floods in 1991, and Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Soho also said that studying at UP means connecting the learning to the realities of life. "To be humble and thankful. Oo UP kayo, huwag maging mayabang. Magpasalamat. Maging mapagkumbaba. Stay grounded. Hindi tayo naiba o nakaangat kung 'di kaisa ng komunidad at ng lipunan," she said. "Relationships are important. Your lives will be richer if you include people who are not like you," she added. "Reach out to more people, get out of your own circles or silos or echo chambers." "Sa panahon ngayon na lahat tayo meron nang boses, na puwede pang i-amplify o palakasin sa pamamagitan ng social media, kailangan din nating makinig and listen well." As she concluded her speech, Soho urged graduates to keep asking questions, disrupt what is broken, and use their privilege for good. "You have the skills, the tools, and technology. Use them for good. But yes, toughen up," she said. "No one becomes an expert overnight, and to learn is to fail. So keep trying, don't crumble," she added. Soho ended with a short but powerful message of encouragement to the graduates: "Go rock the world!" —Hermes Joy Tunac/Mariel Celine Serquina/MGP, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
4 days ago
- General
- Filipino Times
UP Diliman to confer latin honors on 2,369 graduates in 2025
The University of the Philippines has announced that 2,369 students from its Diliman campus will graduate with Latin honors, as announced by the Office of the University Registrar. Of these honorees, 241 will be awarded summa cum laude, 1,143 will graduate magna cum laude, and 985 will receive cum laude distinctions. The criteria for these honors are based on weighted average grades (WGA): summa cum laude requires 1.20 or higher, magna cum laude 1.45 or higher, and cum laude 1.75 or higher. In comparison, the 2024 graduation saw 286 summa cum laude, 1,109 magna cum laude, and 788 cum laude recipients. Altogether, more than 5,000 students are graduating from UP Diliman this year. The 114th General Commencement Exercises will be held at 7 a.m. at the University Amphitheater, carrying the theme 'Lunas', a call for healing through knowledge and public service. Broadcast journalist and GMA News anchor Jessica Soho, a proud alumna of UP's College of Media and Communication, will serve as the guest speaker. Graduating student Mark Andy Pedere, who earned a WGA of 1.066 under the Philippine Studies program, will deliver the valedictory address on behalf of the graduates. This milestone adds to the university's continued streak of excellence, including recent top finishes in the April 2025 Electronics Engineer licensure exam and its consistent recognition as the country's top university according to EduRank.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
241 UP Diliman students to graduate summa cum laude in 2025
A total of 2,369 students will be graduating with Latin honors from the University of the Philippines Diliman on Sunday. According to the UP Diliman Registrar's Office, 241 students will graduate summa cum laude, 1,143 will finish magna cum laude, and 985 will graduate cum laude. Graduates with a weighted average grade (WGA) of 1.20 or higher receive summa cum laude; those with a WGA of 1.45 or higher earn magna cum laude; and those with a WGA of 1.75 or higher achieve cum laude. In 2024, 286 graduated summa cum laude, 1,109 earned magna cum laude, and 788 finished cum laude. More than 5,000 students will be receiving their academic degrees from UP's flagship campus in 2025. UP Diliman College of Media and Communication alumna and GMA Integrated News pillar Jessica Soho will be the guest speaker during the 114th General Commencement Exercises. Mark Andy Pedere (Philippine Studies), who earned the WGA of 1.066, will deliver a speech on behalf of the graduates. The ceremony, which will begin at 7 a.m. at the University Amphitheater, features the theme 'Lunas,' which aims to encourage graduates to expand the body of knowledge and embody the true meaning of "university." —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-06-2025
- GMA Network
Suspect emerges in 'Lost Sabungeros' case due to security threat, claims victims buried in Taal Lake
Four years after 34 sabungeros from various parts of the Philippines went missing, new details have emerged about their disappearance. On Sunday's episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," one of the accused in the case, "Alyas Totoy," claimed that the abduction and killings of the missing sabungeros were linked to the owner of the cockpit and online sabong operations. "Lahat ng miyembro, kasali sila at kasama ang mga anak niya," he said. ["All the members are involved, including their children."] "Siya ang nagre-release ng pera sa butcher. Halimbawa, mag-request ako ng P2,000,000, 'yung anak niya ang nag-a-approve sa lahat," he added. ["He's the one who releases the money to the butcher. For example, if I request ?2,000,000, it's his child who approves all of it."] According to Alyas Totoy, he's only coming forward now because of the slow pace of the legal process and threats to his own security and his family's safety. He claimed that a P20 million bounty was placed on him and that his family was threatened. "Sabihin ko lahat ng alam ko dahil binantaan mo na pati pamilya ko. Tanggap ko na sa sarili ko na patayin mo ako. Huwag mo lang idamay ang mag-ina ko," he said. ["I'll tell you everything I know because (they've) already threatened my family. I've accepted it on my own that you're going to kill me. Just don't involve my wife and child."] Alyas Totoy then boldly stated the fate of the missing sabungeros in an interview with Emil Sumangil. When asked if they were still alive, he responded, "Paano mabubuhay 'yan e nakabaon na doon sa Taal Lake?" ["How can they still be alive if they are buried beneath Taal Lake?"] He elaborated that the method of killing was 'killing me softly,' which involved twisting tie wires around their necks. "Kung huhukayin 'yun, mga buto-buto na lang," he said. ["If you dig it up, you'll only find bones."] "Paano natin makilala na sila 'yun? At hindi lang ang missing sabungero tinatapon doon, pati mga drug lord, tinatapon doon," he claimed. ["How would we even know it's them? It's not just the missing sabungeros who are being dumped— drug lords are thrown in too."] According to Alyas Totoy, the missing sabungeros were those caught "nantityope" or cheating in cockfights by weakening their own roosters and betting on their opponents' roosters. He described the process where he would pick up these sabungeros and bring them to rooms in places like Lipa, where they would be tied with plastic ties and loaded into vans per group. He also claimed to have heard direct orders over the phone to kill them, saying, "Wala tayong magagawa kung hindi natin patayin 'yan. Patuloy na lolokohin tayo ng mga 'yan." ["We have no choice but to kill them. If we don't, they'll just keep deceiving us. "] In a phone call with Carmen and Ederline Malacca, mother and sibling of Edgardo Malacca Jr., one of the missing sabungeros, Alyas Totoy confirmed: "Wala na po tayong pag-asa na mabuhay pa ang anak n'yo. Dahil wala na siya." ["We have no hope that your son is still alive—because he's already gone."] Alyas Totoy believes that 108 sabungeros were killed during his "term," although only 34 were investigated, possibly because he believes the other families were too afraid to come forward. However, some families are reported to have settled their cases financially. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice expressed its openness to placing Alyas Totoy under the Witness Protection Program. "Papakinggan namin siya at bibigyan ng proteksyon," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said. ["We will listen to him and ensure his protection."] As of writing, seven cases of kidnapping and serious illegal detention have been filed by the DOJ, with many other cases still under investigation by the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation. —GMA Integrated News
