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Filipino Times
06-07-2025
- 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
06-07-2025
- 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
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Jessica Soho's journalism legacy: 40 years of impactful stories
Earlier this May, Jessica Soho served as the keynote speaker at the 2025 National Schools Press Conference and National Festival of Talents. Held in Ilocos Norte, the event gathered over 4,000 aspiring journalists from 17 regions nationwide. Soho was warmly welcomed with cheers, countless selfies and autographs, and heartfelt appreciation from student journalists. In her inspiring speech, the Kapuso journalist shared seven important principles in journalism: Accuracy, impact, content, fairness, reading, balance, and doing good. She emphasized that the only real secret in her 40 years in the industry was hard work and dedication. "Alam ko, medyo gasgas nang salita ang hardwork," she said. ["I know the words 'hard work' sounds like a cliché these days.'] "But in my case kasi, iyon lang ang naging formula ko: Work hard and everything will follow," she added. ["But in my case, that was just my formula: Work hard and everything will follow."] Aside from breaking stories, Soho said stories hold a special power of improving lives. "We believe in the power of stories," she said. Reflecting on her career as a journalist, which spans 40 years, Soho recounted defining moments that shaped her career since 1984: From being a rookie GMA reporter to covering major national events like military coups, hostage crises in Cagayan, and even surviving a near-plane crash on the way to the Spratlys. She also highlighted some of her notable achievements and memorable experiences in media, including being the co-founder of "i-Witness," winning the Peabody Award, and producing powerful stories such as "Kidneys for Sale" and "Kamao." "Naghahanap talaga ako ng long form na format kasi takeaway from 'yung specials na ginagawa namin sa news noon," she looked back. [" I was really looking for a long-form format because it was a takeaway from the specials we used to do in news back then.'] "So hanggang ginawa ko 'yung concept ng 'I-Witness' and then I fought for it and it got approved." ["So I went ahead and created the concept for Ii-Witness,' and then I fought for it. Eventually, it got approved.'] Aside from her achievements, Soho shed light on how a journalist must brave the frontlines of the most dangerous situations to cover the news. She was on the frontlines of numerous natural disasters in the past, including gunfire during coup attempts, a landmine explosion in Afghanistan, as well as the Hyatt Hotel tragedy in Baguio during the 1990 earthquake. Above all, Soho took pride in the stories that transformed lives, particularly through her show 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.' Among the stories she was proud of are 'Bestida ni Ranelyn,' 'Sugat ng Pangungulila,' and 'Ang pag-uwi ni Jojo,' to name a few. In her speech, Jessica Soho said 'After 40 years of chasing the story; I often ask myself the same existential question many journalists surely ask themselves too: 'Is it all worth it? Sulit ba ang lahat ng aming pagod, hirap at sakripisyo?' Pero ako, if I have to live my life all over again, pipiliin ko pa rin maging journalist.' [ 'Is it all worth it? All the hard work, the struggles, the sacrifices?' For me, if I had to live my life all over again, I would still choose to be a journalist."] In celebration of Soho's 40 years in broadcasting, a digital archive of some of her most unforgettable reports and interviews will be launched in an online series dubbed "Jessica Soho at 40: Telling the Story of Filipinos." It's set to be released on the YouTube channel of GMA Public Affairs beginning on June 1, 2025.
