JESSICA SOHO
Flying High with KMJS
Veteran broadcast journalist Jessica Soho is celebrating 20 years with ‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.’ In her own words, here’s how it started, how it’s going, and where else it is headed.
Interview by Al Kendrick Noguera
Text by Marah Ruiz
Photos by Gerlyn Mariano
A great testament to the success of magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) is the fact that certain expressions often repeated in the show have become catchphrases so common that they have entered the lexicon of Pinoy pop culture.
Telling an interesting and slightly odd story? I-KMJS na yan! How about one that is far-fetched and needs to be taken with a grain of salt? Use “diumano” to cover your bases.
And who would forget “Gabi ng Lagim,” KMJS’ annual Halloween special? It has become a pop culture phenomenon and is now one of the most highly-anticipated telecasts of the year.
Behind all of this is the woman whose name appears in the title, veteran broadcast journalist Jessica Soho.
It would be a disservice not to mention a few of the many accolades she has received over the years. The British Embassy in Manila named Soho the Fleet Street Awardee for Investigative Journalism in 1998. She was also hailed as the Best Public Affairs Show Host in 2002 by the Catholic Mass Media Awards and was chosen as the Anak TV Seal Award Most Admired Female Personality Awardee from 2007-2012 before she was finally inducted as a Hall of Famer in 2013.
All these cement the fact that she is a masterful storyteller and through her guidance, KMJS has reached a significant milestone — its 20th anniversary.
“Every little thing na puwedeng isingit to celebrate the 20th [anniversary] of KMJS, ginagawa namin. Pero sa totoo lang, we’re in the middle of producing another episode for this week so it’s kind of tricky,” Soho says in an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com.
(We squeeze in every little thing we can to celebrate the 20th [anniversary] of KMJS. But honestly, we're in the middle of producing another episode for this week so it's kind of tricky.)
“Ini-imagine ko noon, ’pag nag-20 [years] kami, may grand celebration. Then the time comes and I realize, there isn’t a day to spare for a grand celebration.”
(I used to imagine that once we reach 20 [years,] there would be a grand celebration. Then the time comes and I realize, there isn't a day to spare for a grand celebration.)
(I think we are good at telling stories. That's not just me, that includes all the team members of KMJS. Through the years, we've improved our storytelling techniques by way of video, by way of words, also through our social media apps, the things that we post on social media.)
IDEAS, NOW BOARDING
Before becoming the ratings juggernaut that it is, KMJS started out as a kernel of an idea on the late night documentary show Jessica Soho Reports (JSR) which ran from 2001 to 2005.
Fueled by strong confidence that the stories they tell in JSR can be enjoyed and appreciated by more people if only they have access to it, Soho and Leo Sanchez, her producer at that time, pitched the idea of moving the show to a primetime slot.
Fortunately, the move was approved by the network’s program committee thanks to then CEO and chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon.
“I know it went through rough sailing kasi primetime eh. From late night, lipat kami. Nag-pitch kami to go primetime kasi nanghihinayang kami sa stories namin. Alam namin, maganda ’yung mga stories namin that it could reach a wider audience ’pag primetime. Nag-pitch kami to go primetime, sinuwerte kami, binigyan kami ng break, ng chance, so from JSR, naging KMJS na siya,” she recalls.
(I know it went through rough sailing because that's primetime. From late night, we moved. We pitched to go to primetime because we felt that our stories were missing a huge opportunity. We know that our stories are great and that it could reach a wider audience in primetime. We pitched to go to primetime, we got lucky, we were given a break, a chance, so from JSR, it became KMJS.)
The gamble paid off and, just as they expected, it did reach a very diverse audience with its eclectic mix of features ranging from trends to urban legends, from pop culture to supernatural phenomena, from celebrities to food, from health to current events, and so many more.
In the first half of 2024, KMJS recorded a combined rating of 14.6 percent on the channels GMA, GTV, and Pinoy Hits. This makes it the top program in the Philippines based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement data from January to June 2024.
KMJS also has 30 million followers on Facebook, making it is also the most followed Filipino show on the said social media platform. It also garnered 1.4 billion views on Facebook, 1.2 billion on TikTok, and over 1 billion on YouTube in 2024 alone.
KMJS is the most awarded news magazine program in the country, with a gold medal and two bronze medals from the prestigious New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, three national wins at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, among many other local and international accolades.
“Twenty years later, we’re still here. I’m grateful and happy especially because nakakaya pa rin namin. Hindi siya madali eh, mag-produce ng weekly na programa especially with the kind of stories na ginawa ng KMJS. Our crews and our teams, they travel to remote places almost weekly. Sometimes, we go abroad. Grabe ’yung pressure and ’yung demand pero nakakaya namin. We’ve endured. We’ve prevailed over so much odds and so many hurdles and we’re still here,” she expressed.
(20 years later, we're still here. I'm grateful and happy especially because we are still able to do it. It's not easy producing a weekly program, especially with the kind of stories that KMJS does. Our crews and our teams, they travel to remote places almost weekly. Sometimes, we go abroad. The pressure and the demand are immense but we are able to do it. We've endured. We've prevailed over so much odds and so many hurdles and we're still here.)
TAKING FLIGHT
Soho credits the success of KMJS to not just how interesting the stories are, but also how they tell them. For her, a story can be made more interesting and engaging in the way it is communicated.
“I think magaling kaming magkuwento. Hindi lang ako ’yun, kasama ko lahat ng team members ng KMJS. Through the years, na-improve namin ’yung storytelling techniques namin by way of video, by way of words, also ’yung social media apps namin, the things that we post on social media,” she explains.
(I think we are good at telling stories. That's not just me, that includes all the team members of KMJS. Through the years, we've improved our storytelling techniques by way of video, by way of words, also through our social media apps, the things that we post on social media.)
The show’s goal each and every week is to make every feature feel less like a school lecture and more like a story where viewers are actually part of the storytelling process.
“Nakaka-relate ’yung aming demographics doon sa aming style ng pagkukuwento. It cuts across hindi lang ’yung particular group. I think, through the whole social demographics spectrum, ’yung wide range ng audience, gets nila ’yung storytelling namin. Kasi ’yun naman talaga ’yung pinagsisikapan every week--what is the best way to tell a story,” she offers.
(Our demographics can relate to our storytelling style. It cuts across not just with one particular group. I think, through the whole social demographics spectrum, the wide range of the audience, they understand our storytelling. That's what we strive for every week--what is the best way to tell a story.)
This is also where Soho and her team’s valuable experiences come together. Soho cut her teeth doing hard news and has a solid background in journalism, while her team is always on the pulse of new trends, techniques, technologies and the like.
“Suwerte lang ako kasi all the skills that I've learned through the years, naipasa ko rin sa at least 'yung core group who now manages and handles KMJS. Although, magagaling sila even without me. I don’t want to claim credit kasi magagaling din sila,” she says of her team.
(I'm just lucky that all the skills I've learned through the years I was able to pass on to at least the core group who now manages and handles KMJS. Although, they are brilliant even without me. I don't want to claim credit because they are brilliant on their own.)
“Actually, mas magaling na sila sa akin. kasi marami akong hindi na nalalaman, like new words, ’yang mga technology na ’yan. ‘Ma'am, dapat may shot tayong ganyan.’ Mga bagong visual techniques, magaling sila diyan. Hindi ko na alam ’yung mga ganoon. [Ang] alam ko, documentary style kasi doon ako na-train. Alam ko ’yung hard news, alam ko ’yung takbo ng mga balita, pero ’yung the more creative aspects of storytelling now, like how to harness social media, how to post, ano ’yung mga techniques na lumalabas, [sa kanila galing ’yun,]” she continues.
(Actually, they are better than me now because there are many things that I don't know anymore like new words, those technology things. 'Ma'am, we should have a shot like this.' New visual techniques, they are good at that. I don't know those things anymore. What I do know is documentary style because that's how I was trained. I know hard news, the flow of news, but the more creative aspects of storytelling now, like how to harness social media, how to post, what are the emerging techniques, [those come from them.])
They share a symbiotic relationship where they learn from each other and this is reflected in the stories and storytelling of KMJS.
“I try to keep up. Alam ko ’yung na app na ’to, app na ’yan, pero sila ’yung nagtuturo sa akin. I do my homework. Tinitignan ko kung ano ito. Pakantahin niyo ’ko ng ‘APT,’ alam ko ’yan. Alam ko ’yung steps,” she says, breaking into a laugh.
(I try to keep up. I know this app, that app, but they are the ones who would teach me. I do my homework. I look at what this is. Ask me to sing APT, I know that. I know the steps.)
“It's a two-way thing. They tell me stuff, they teach me, and then I also do my homework. I guess we draw inspiration from each other. We share our energies with each other.”
This openness to new things has been a vital factor in the success and longevity of the show.
“Alam ko rin na nagbabago ang mundo. I know the way things are done so kailangan mag-keep up din. Hindi puwedeng dinosaur mindset because you want to reach more audiences. Like now, it’s the Gen Z, gusto naming makuha din sila. We were successful with the millennials, tapos ’yung Gen X, ’yung boomers, okay kami doon. Ngayon, ang challenge is to get the Gen Zs to watch us more, also to follow us online. I hope we succeed,” she revealed.
(I am aware of how the world constantly changes. I know the way things are done so we need to keep up as well. You cannot keep a dinosaur mindset because you want to reach more audiences. Like now, it's the Gen Z, we want to entice them. We we're successful with the millennials, the Gen X, the boomers, we're okay with those. Now, the challenge is to get the Gen Zs to watch us more, also to follow us online. I hope we succeed.)
LANDING ON THE FUTURE
After 20 years, KMJS has become more than just a magazine show which showcases thought-provoking and at times, quirky stories. It is creating a legacy of public service and has made an indelible impact on the future of people they have featured.
For Jessica Soho, these kinds of stories are her personal favorites. “Case in point, ’yung batang ang laki-laki ng tiyan, si JL, kasi mayroon siyang digestive problem. Na-feature namin siya, ang daming tumulong. Dahil maraming tumulong, napa-opera siya. Mayroon pang dalawang operation, pero noong pinuntahan ko siya sa bayan ng Dinas, Zamboanga Del Sur, okay na siya— nakakapaglakad, nakakatakbo, ang kulit na,” she says of him.
(Case in point, the child with the severely distended belly, JL, because he has a digestive problem. When we featured him, a lot of people extended help. Because a lot of people helped, he was able to undergo the necessary operation. He needs two more operations but when I visited him in a town called Dinas in Zamboanga del Sur, he was alright--he can walk, he can run, he has gotten very lively.)
"Alam ko rin na nagbabago ang mundo. I know the way things are done so kailangan mag-keep up din. Hindi puwedeng dinosaur mindset because you want to reach more audiences."
(I am aware of how the world constantly changes. I know the way things are done so we need to keep up as well. You cannot keep a dinosaur mindset because you want to reach more audiences.)
“Si Ranelyn, because of malnutrition, hindi niya maisuot ’yung paborito niyang bestida. Natulungan ’yung pamilya, nabigyan siya ng proper nutrition. Okay na siya, nag-aaral na siya,” she says of another child helped by the program.
(Ranelyn, because of malnutrition, couldn't wear her favorite dress. The family received help, she was given proper nutrition. She's okay now, she now goes to school.)
That same feature, which was titled “Bestida ni Ranelyn,” won a Bronze medal under the Health/Medical Information category at the 2022 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards. It was the second win and second bronze of KMJS from the NYF, the first being from the 2019 feature “Salay.”
“Si Daxen, ’yung mayroon siyang skin disorder na nagsusugat ’yung katawan niya. Noong na-feature namin siya, maraming tumulong. Napagamot siya nang maayos. Okay na siya, nakakapag-aral na,” she says of the young man.
(Daxen, the one with the skin condition where he gets open sores all over his body, when we featured him, a lot of people extended help. He received proper medical care. He's okay now, he's able to go to school.)
Called “Sugat ng Pangungulila,” the riveting feature won a gold medal at the 2023 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards under the category Health/Medical Information and is KMJS' third win in NYF.
Another unforgettable series of stories for Soho are those in which long-lost family members reunite through the show.
“Tuwang-tuwa din kami na 'yung dati naming misyon sa previous shows ko sa GTV (then called QTV), ’yung ‘Sana’y Muling Makapiling’ saka ’yung ‘Reunions,’ na naipagpapatuloy namin sa KMJS. Ito ’yung naghahanap kami ng mga nawawala na bata. Naiko-connect namin ulit doon sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya. ’Yun, nakakatuwa," she says.
(We're very happy that our prior mission in my previous shows on GTV, on Sana'y Muling Makapiling and Reunions, we are able to continue on KMJS.)
She also recalls the infamous “baby-switching” features and is very happy to have been part of setting things right for the children and their families. “’Yung mga babies na napag-switch, dahil pinursigi ng aming team na malaman kung kanino talaga silang mga pamilya, nailagay natin sa tamang pamilya. Babies pa sila noon eh, so walang masaydong damage na pinagpalit lang. Kasi after that, may sumunod na ganoong story din, malalaki na ’yung mga bata. Hindi na madaling pagpalitin," Soho says.
(The babies that were switched [at birth,] because the team persisted on finding out which families they belonged to, were reunited with their actual families. They were still babies then so there wasn't much damage in just switching them. Because after that, a similar story followed where the kids have already grown up. It wasn't as easy as just switching them.)
Jessica Soho is also grateful for the trust given by people to tell their stories for them and adds that she and the team treat it as a huge responsibility. “Natutuwa kami na andito kami para mag-connect at mag-bridge sa mga pamilyang ganoon ang pinagdadaanan. But then again, instruments lang kami — it's really the people who tell us their stories, who share with us their problems. Kaya nga ‘I-KMJS na ’yan’ kasi sila ang nagbibigay sa amin ng mga istorya. Kami naman, tulay or instrument para gumaan 'yung kanilang mga pinagpagdaanan, mabago 'yung kanilang buhay," she says.
(We're happy that we're here to connect and bridge families that are going through those situations. But then again, we are merely instruments--it's really the people who tell us their stories, who share with us their problems. It's 'i-KMJS' na yan' because they are the ones who give us the story. On our part, we act as the bridge or instrument to alleviate their situation, to change their lives.)
Soho hopes that KMJS and the stories it tells will inspire the next generation of journalists. “Sabi nila, it’s not a good time to be a journalist. Nakaka-dishearten ’yung paninira sa journalism in general pero I think we need more journalists. We really need to stand our ground. Kailangan nating ipagpatuloy ’yung ating misyon to be truth seekers para labanan din ’yung mga maling impormasyon or fake news,” she states.
(They say it's not a good time to be a journalist. The attacks on journalism in general are disheartening but I think we need more journalists. We really need to stand our ground. We need to continue our mission to be truth seekers to combat misinformation or fake news.)
"Sabi nila, it’s not a good time to be a journalist. Nakaka-dishearten ’yung paninira sa journalism in general pero I think we need more journalists. We really need to stand our ground. Kailangan nating ipagpatuloy ’yung ating misyon to be truth seekers para labanan din 'yung mga maling impormasyon or fake news."
(They say it's not a good time to be a journalist. The attacks on journalism in general are disheartening but I think we need more journalists. We really need to stand our ground. We need to continue our mission to be truth seekers to combat misinformation or fake news.)
She also encourages young people to continue to find inspiration even in the most difficult of times. “Sa takbo ng pamumuhay natin sa buong mundo ngayon, ang daming problema — may mga giyera, may mga bagay na hindi natin ma-control pero nangyayari, ’yung mga sakuna. Ang daling mawalan ng loob, ang daling maging desperate at malugmok sa takbo ng mga pangyayari, mas mahirap maging inspired. Pero I think kailangnan natin na huwag maubusan ng motivation, huwag mauubusan ng things to fight for. Laban lang kasi it’s a broken world. Hindi tayo puwedeng magpadala doon,” she shares.
(The way things are going in the whole world right now, there are so many problems--there are wars, there are things we cannot control but keep on happening, there are disasters. It is easy to lose heart, it is easy to feel desperate and feel down because of how things are, it's harder to be inspired. But I think we need to strive not to lose motivation, not to lose things to fight for. Keep fighting because it's a broken world. We cannot lose ourselves in that fight.)
Soho also puts her hopes on the younger generation to find novel ways to share facts in a manner that makes people feel involved. “Kailangan din siguro nating aralin how to connect better sa mundo or sa ating bansa. Hindi tayo kumu-connect, that’s why naniniwala sila sa maling impormasyon. Instead of saying hayaaan natin sila, siguro kailangan nating matutunan how to connect with them better.”
(Maybe we need to study how to connect better with the world or our country. We don't connect, that's why they believe in misinformation. Instead of saying that we'll let them be, maybe we need to learn how to connect with them better.)
For her, this connection and involvement may hold the key to curbing the spread of misinformation. “Hindi naman puwedeng kanya kanyang echo chambers tayo ’di ba? We have to connect with them. We have to keep trying and keep striving to get our message across — na dapat dito po tayo sa facts, dito po tayo sa totoong kuwento para mayroon tayong mapagkuwentuhan. Kailangan as journalists, we have to be able to draw them in to the discussion para kasali sila sa flow of information, hindi kanya kanyang echo chambers,” she explains.
(We cannot stay in our own echo chambers, right? We have to connect with them. We have to keep trying and keep striving to get our message across--that we need to stick to facts, that we need to stick to the real story so we can have a proper conversation. As journalists, we need to be able to draw them in to the discussion so they they can be part of the flow of information, not just individual echo chambers.)
As for the future of KMJS, Soho now allows herself to dream beyond what they can do in a week—a luxury she did not allow herself to have before. “Sana more stories to cover, more stories to feature, new ground to break, new storytelling techniques, more viewers, more followers. Sana makasama ko pa 'yung aming team as they are sa mas mahabang panahon. Sana may madagdag pa sa amin. Sana nandito pa rin kami para makapaghatid ng kuwento nating mga Pilipino kasi ang rich ng culture natin, ang rich ng ating traditions,” she concludes.
(I hope for more stories to cover, more stories to feature, new ground to break, new storytelling techniques, more viewers, more followers. I hope I can stay with my team for an even longer time. I hope there are additions to our team. I hope we can still be here to deliver stories of us Filipinos because we have such as rich culture, we have such rich traditions.)
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho airs Sunday nights on GMA.
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Jessica Soho: Flying High with KMJS
Published :December 10, 2024 10:28 PM PHTVeteran broadcast journalist Jessica Soho is celebrating 20 years with 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.' In her own words, here's how it started, how it's going, and where else it is headed.
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