Jessica Soho: 2013 tested GMA News

MANILA, Philippines - Looking back at 2013 as a challenging time for media reportage, Jessica Soho of GMA News expressed gratitude that the Kapuso network’s efforts to cover the year’s biggest events were recognized locally and abroad.

A vote of affirmation came four days away from Christmas, after the United Nations (UN) invited Jessica to a one-on-one with Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in Makati City. She was the only media personality to receive the invitation, which was extended in line with Ban Ki-Moon’s visit to the Philippines in the aftermath of Supertyphoon Yolanda.

During the 25-minute interview, Ban Ki-Moon stressed the UN’s commitment to assist in recovery efforts.

“It was humbling for me to personally ask questions and hear the views of the most senior diplomat of the world’s largest international organization. I am grateful that the United Nations gave me this rare opportunity,” said Jessica.

The interview capped a year marked by news events that were more demanding to cover from a technical operations standpoint and in terms of depth for investigative journalism.

As the leader of the production team that delivers the State of the Nation (SONA) newscast, Jessica anchored live from disaster-crippled areas such as Leyte and Bohol in the aftermath of Yolanda and the Visayas quake, respectively. She performed similar reporting duties amid the Zamboanga crisis.

The extensive damage to infrastructure, coupled with security and safety concerns, made remote set-ups for television difficult to establish. The SONA team delivered the goods for each live broadcast, earning Best News Program honors at the 35th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

“The events of 2013 really tested us in GMA News. We had to overcome numerous logistical difficulties — Guiuan in Eastern Samar and Tacloban, for example, were without electricity and other utilities. Beaming live feeds under such conditions was not an easy task. More importantly, there were times when our people were at risk, near the line of fire, and it took commitment from everybody to get the job done,” she said.

For the show’s highest accolade this year, SONA’s special coverage of yet another tumultuous event — the 2012 monsoon rains — gained a Silver Screen award during the 2013 US International Film and Video Festival.

As further recognition of her efforts, Jessica was regarded as the Most Trusted News Presenter by Reader’s Digest Asia Trusted Brands for the third straight year. She was also recently elevated to the Anak TV Roster of Makabata Stars Hall of Fame for consistently leading the annual Anak TV survey for the past eight years.

The GMA journalist had a golden harvest of awards in 2013, earning a total of 25 accolades — the highest single-year tally in her broadcasting career which spans four decades.

For the fourth straight year, Jessica was also asked to serve as juror of the International Emmy Awards for the Current Affairs category.