Television programs come and go.
This is especially true nowadays, with viewing platforms outside traditional free TV emerging left and right, giving viewers more options through the Internet.
For the producers, this means churning out interesting, catchy, and easy-to-digest content that will not only appeal to the viewers, but will also catch the netizens' attention as well.
Since making its debut on November 7, 2004, on GMA-7, the news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, or KMJS, has, over the years, successfully bridged that gap between the old and the new, incorporating elements from both traditional and modern viewing to keep up with the times.
Few modern programs on local TV today could lift stories floating online, viral or not, — from the mundane to the absurd to the sensible—and package them into segments fit for boob tube viewers the way KMJS does.
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For award-winning broadcast journalist and KMJS host, Jessica Soho, much of the credit goes to the show's dedicated and innovative staff.
"I'm both humbled and proud at the level of creativity of my staff, they're really the best," Jessica told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an exclusive interview via email and Irene Fernando of GMA Corporate Communications.
She added, "Iyong core group, I've had the privilege of mentoring in the past, pero I think mas magaling na sila sa akin.
"At ang importante, iyong learnings namin as a group, naipapasa o naituturo sa iba.
"Iyong ibang story ideas namin have evolved into whole programs!"
Jessica described her team as "social media savvy" and that she learns a lot from them, saying, "Ako ang tinuturuan nila kung ano ang viral o trending."
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THE POPULARITY OF KMJS' HORROR STORIES
There was a time when horror stories on news magazine programs were reserved for the Halloween season.
KMJS somewhat changed the game as the program decided to feature hair-raising stories all year round, regardless of the season.
The team found out that stories related to supernatural are always a big hit with the viewers.
Social media presence also made it easier for tales, including paranormal ones, to be passed around, creating a viral effect that is hard to ignore for a program that derives its content from stories on the ground.
A look at past KMJS episodes uploaded on the YouTube channel of GMA Public Affairs shows the popularity of its horror stories, with views easily reaching thousands to millions.
While Jessica understands the psyche behind these figures, she admitted to having conversations with her team, asking, and for a good reason, to tone down on these paranormal stories.
"I’ll be honest, it’s an ongoing battle I’m waging with my producers to have less horror or kababalaghan stories," confessed Jessica.
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She continued, "I always tell them that the pandemic and our times our scary enough; huwag na nating takutin pa ang mga viewer.
"But, you know, I think our producers are very creative and there may be several future movie directors among them who like doing the horror genre, so I guess may kahihinatnan din naman.
"Derrick Cabrido, who is now a movie director, used to work with us, and his movie Clarita was inspired by one of our 'Gabi ng Lagim' stories."
On the bright side, KMJS has become an avenue to debunk and explain sensibly the reasons behind these urban legends and assumed paranormal activities, putting context and proper perspective not based on hype.
SOURCE OF INFORMATION
Horror stories are, of course, just a fraction of the features shown on KMJS weekly.
The show tackles a hodgepodge of topics, ranging from history, pop culture, celebrity life, health, current events, and trends.
Jessica said, "I’m also proud to say na marami kaming natutulungan na small and medium businesses sa aming mga food story—from halo-halo stores to other food stalls and restaurants na dati maliliit lang, ngayon dinarayo at patok na.
"Iyong mga nadiskubre naming magandang pasyalan have become tourist destinations.
"Of course, may downside, pero overall I think nakatulong kami sa ekonomiya at turismo ng ating bansa.
"Pero hindi kami perpekto. Lesson learned; we will try harder and just keep on getting better.
"Right now, I’m very happy with KMJS, and I like our own system of check and balance to guard against wrong information."
Jessica enjoys mentoring and sharing her knowledge with people as much as she likes being corrected and edited by her staff.
"This way, we’re doing our best to be responsible storytellers."
MAKING A MARK BEYOND TV
Being around for 19 years has made KMJS a household name, even earning a place in Filipino pop culture similar to other TV programs that made a mark in the consciousness of viewers.
In fact, some of the phrases—"diumano" and "lumipad ang aming team"—were made popular by Jessica, and have become popular expressions.
Jessica said, "Natutuwa ako na iyong mga madalas naming nasasabi sa KMJS ay nagiging bahagi ng pop culture at everyday language nating mga Pilipino.
"Naging popular ang 'diumano' which is 'alleged' in English. Madalas nang ito ang sinasabi ng marami imbes na raw o daw lang. O di ba, mas nuanced and colorful?
"Kelan lang nasa airport ako for my flight to Iloilo for a shoot tapos iyung mga nasa harapan ko sa pila, panay ang sabi nila ng 'lumipad ang aming team' not knowing na ako iyong nasa likod nila.
"It’s good to know that through our stories, we’re connecting with our viewers on so many levels, including through the use of language."
What happens behind the camera has also become a source of curiosity and wonderment among viewers.
With that said, we asked Jessica if the KMJS team gets to try the dishes they feature when they do food stories.
"Oo naman," Jessica replied.
"It’s always a team effort, at sa totoo lang, kahit hindi kami nagfi-feature ng pagkain, madalas akong nanlilibre ng pagkain.
"Kahit tanungin ninyo siguro iyong mga kasama ko noon at hanggang ngayon, ang ayoko sa lahat iyong nagugutom ang crew."
In closing, Jessica, for all the show's success, wants the program to keep moving forward and broaden its scope of stories being covered without losing that distinct KMJS touch.
She expounded, "I’m hoping that we’ll do more serious, thought-provoking stories to balance out our light, feel-good stories, or to borrow iyong salitang madalas gamitin ng mga millennial at GenZs, iyong mga eme-eme."