From calamities to armed uprisings to venturing into unknown territories, Jessica Soho has covered them all in a day's work as a broadcas journalist.
“Lahat yata ng mga major event sa Pilipinas from the mid-1980s up to the present na-cover ko, in some way with my own share of exclusives and scoops,” Jessica told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an excusive interview via email.
She recalled vividly with equal dread, pride, and relief, “Naranasan ko nang mawala sa eroplano and given up for dead when we tried to go to the Spratlys in the '90s, noong wala pang masyadong nakakaalam kung nasaan iyun.
“[Naranasan ko na] Ma-hostage, mag-cover nang sunod-sunod na coup attempts, rebellions at mutinies from the North to the South, iba’t ibang mga sakuna at kalamidad.”
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Certainly, viewers won't be seeing the last of Jessica and her brand of fearless journalism.
The two-time George Foster Peabody awardee recently renewed her contract with GMA Network, furthering an almost four-decade-strong relationship that started in 1985.
Jessica said during the signing in May, “Walang hanggang pasasalamat.
“GMA has been my home for the past 38 years and counting. Kung walang GMA, walang Jessica Soho. Ganun lang iyun kasimple.”
GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, meanwhile, described Jessica as one of the company's "most-prized gems."
The GMA-7 big boss said, "Bilang isa sa mga itinuturing na mukha ng GMA Network, naging matibay na institusyon si Jessica ng GMA News, at isa siya sa mga nirerespetong haligi ng award-winning team ng GMA Public Affairs."
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MOVING UP THE LADDER
Born in San Fernando, La Union, Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho finished mass communication at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
Like all fledgling reporters, Jessica cut her teeth in the newsroom by being on the ground to scour for news.
Soon, Jessica was earning recognition for her work, asking hard-hitting questions and delivering news reports that were accessible to the viewing public, particularly the masses.
Jessica remembered with a laugh, "I’ve had my share of interviews that I just want to forget kasi masyado silang memorable."
She continued, "Without naming names, naranasan ko nang mataguan, matakbuhan, mapagalitan at mabagsakan ng telepono on-air, ma-walkout-an.
"You need a lot of courage to do interviews. But important questions need to be asked — trabaho ko yun.
"At least when I look back, walang masasabi sa akin. Lahat ng mga dapat matanong, tinanong ko."
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Jessica's curiosity and itch to delve deeply into matters have made her excel as a documentarist, focusing on human interest stories as well as societal and political topics.
She was part of the team that conceptualized the Kapuso network's documentary program I-Witness, which, to date, is the longest-running documentary show on local television.
Jessica was also involved in the making of other GMA public affairs shows, like Brigada Siete and Emergency, as well as the fantasy action-drama series, Lolong, top-billed by Ruru Madrid.
And then there's the top-rating news magazine show, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, popularly known as KMJS.
She said, "I think God blessed me with an overactive mind, kaya dapat lang i-share even my craziest of thoughts.
"So I’m looking forward to keeping on generating story concepts and sharing these with our producers and storytellers, in whatever formats or genres."
STICKING TO JOURNALISTIC VALUES
Jessica is currently preparing to lead the charge for The GMA Public Affairs Talk, a road show initiative that will bring the veteran broadcast journalist and fellow Kapuso media personalities across the Philippines.
The first leg is called “The New York Festival Medalists & The National Artist GMA Public Affairs Talk on Storytelling and Producing," where Jessica will impart her experience in reporting and broadcasting to students and young professionals.
Having earned her stripes as one of the country's most trusted media personalities, Jessica, for years, has moved on from toiling for hours on the ground in search of the next big story.
Her stature has afforded Jessica the leisure of running her own show, surrounded by dedicated staff on the lookout 24/7 for interesting stories worth covering.
But it doesn't mean either that Jessica has taken her foot off the gas.
What with the Internet and social media blurring the lines between truth and fake information, Jessica in her current position has only made her more prudent and responsible as a journalist.
She said, "It’s a great honor but it’s also a burden and a huge responsibility.
"To be honest, nakakatakot ma-bash so our producers have somehow instituted a process of not only checking for accuracy and fairness but for what we call a 'sensitivity or responsibility' check, as well."
She added, "I don’t think I read enough, but I do my best in keeping up with what’s happening and what’s relevant.
"I no longer have a nightly news program but when I did, I was pretty disciplined about reading almost everything that I needed to know: print and online news, wire stories, our monitoring reports, news summaries from our desk editors and reporters.
"Bago ako humarap sa camera noon, I’d be more confident kung nagbasa ako."
Jessica, like most veteran journalists, has adapted to the shifting media landscape, one that nowadays goes beyond traditional platforms like television, radio, and newspapers.
The internet shook things up and carries with it both positive and negative effects on the way news and information are being shared and consumed.
Through it all, Jessica always goes back to the basic principles of journalism and applies them to her programs.
And in a time where everyone seems to seek attention and instant fame, Jessica has stood by her belief that the stories should always come first and not the other way around.
"We are not the story," stressed Jessica, who also advises aspiring journalists to read constantly to keep them informed.
Jessica continued, "I get the need for selfies and the influencing and promoting on our social media accounts but when chasing after stories and reporting or producing those, the 'old school' rules should never be compromised.
"Because those are values and what journalism is all about—accuracy, fairness, responsibility."
In the end, building a credible reputation is no walk in the park and is an ongoing process even for a seasoned journalist.
Said Jessica, “It’s a continuing quest to be trusted or to be worthy of trust.
"Earn your stripes. Show up for work even on bad days, especially on bad days.
"Because there’s a public to be served and to borrow a line from colleague and fellow Kapuso journalist Malou Mangahas—'Journalism is a far bigger cause than anyone of us.'"