MANILA, Philippines — Jessica Soho, one of the country’s most celebrated broadcast journalists, has spent her career not just covering the most pressing issues, but also telling the most fascinating and offbeat stories through her TV programs, particularly the top-rating “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”
But at a recent event celebrating Philippine-Chinese ties, she opened up about her equally compelling family history, complete with colorful characters, a story that could very well be a plot of a movie.
“Many people don’t know that I have Chinese blood,” Jessica, who is “25-percent Chinese,” said.
Her ancestry traces back to a small town in Guangdong province, where her paternal grandparents moved from nearly 90 years ago. They arrived here with little more than the clothes on their backs, she said.
“They didn’t have much, they only had shirts in their bags. Somehow, they made it here and we had a big family,” she recalled.
However, not all of her ancestors were able to revisit China.
“Unfortunately, they had all passed away, they weren’t able to return to China, except for one. I also count myself lucky to have traced my roots in 2007 to that very small village outside of Guangzhou City.”
She said that despite not achieving immense wealth, her ancestors left behind a legacy of perseverance and community.
“I like to say that my grandfathers didn’t make it big time, but somehow, our family grew, and there are so many stories,” she shared.
According to Jessica, one ancestor was an opium addict, a story she previously wrote about in The Philippine STAR. Another was a Shaolin monk who became a chef in their hometown in San Fernando, La Union before moving to Baguio.
The father of her dad, himself, established the first Chinese restaurant in their town, and their family home once served as a halfway house for Chinese coming from the mainland.
“When they didn’t have a place to stay, our house became like an evacuation or refugee center nila, so it’s a very rich family history that we have because of my Chinese grandfathers,” she said.
She also learned, just three years ago, that another grandfather played a crucial role in introducing Chinese cabbage and other vegetables to Benguet and Mountain Province farmers.
“So, I’d like to say thank you to my Chinese grandfathers, mga ka-batch nila na nakarating in that part of the Philippines. We have them to thank for, for our chop suey and our salad vegetables because galing yan mismo sa mga local officials na-interview ko.
“Sabi ko kasi, alam kong nagtanim yung isang lolo ko dito ng cabbage… then they told me, ‘Ma’am, sila ang nagturo sa amin.’ Kaya meron kaming mga kabuhayan ngayon.
“So, I’m very proud and very honored that we have this legacy left behind by my Chinese grandfathers.”
Jessica believes that her family’s love for storytelling had led her to a journalism career.
“Siguro (I got the knack for storytelling from them). I know in our family, we loved telling stories. Tuwing nagkikita kami, hindi kami nauubusan ng kwento, pati pagkain unfortunately (laughs).
“Mahilig kaming magkwento, tapos nadadagdagan pa yung story archives namin with stories from our Chinese side. From my mother’s side, magaling din sila magkwento. I think it’s a gift.”
Her heritage also shaped her culinary tastes and skills.
“I can actually cook a lot of Chinese dishes because my one lolo was a chef in a restaurant. Yung iba (recipes) minana namin sa aming lolo, even from my uncles… We’re Cantonese, and Cantonese are renowned for their cuisine.”
Jessica further shared the Chinese origins of her surname Soho.
According to her, variations of Soho include Situ, Seto, as well as Szeto. “Magkakaiba pero yung Soho, ‘pag sinulat mo daw, pare-parehong Chinese characters daw yun itsura niya,” she explained.
Jessica has already met relatives in her grandfather’s ancestral village, which became the subject of a TV documentary for “KMJS.”
When asked if she would be open to a film about her colorful Chinese roots, she admittedly wasn’t keen about it.
How about a biographical film? She quipped, “Gusto ko siguro pagkawala na ako saka na nila ipalabas. Kasi gusto ko sabihin ang lahat ng gusto kong sabihin (laughs). Di bale na sinong maano…”
She considers her experiences as a journalist the most defining and interesting.
“Most interesting part of my life is siguro yung pagiging journalist because I was able to witness the most turbulent times in the modern history of the Philippines, from Marcos’ time to the present.”
She has also covered some of the country’s most pivotal moments, from the Martial Law era to EDSA I and beyond.
“Even when I want to write a book (or memoir), I want to tell the whole truth, maybe even at the risk of burning bridges… So I have no plans at the moment,” she said.
The STAR got to speak to Jessica after she was named among the distinguished awardees at a special awards ceremony by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), which took place on Jan. 29 at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City.
The Kapuso news anchor, who is marking her 40th year as a journalist this 2025, was particularly cited for her integrity and excellence in journalism. The event also recognized other Chinoys for their contributions to Philippine society.
Among the honorees was National Artist for Film Ricky Lee who was recognized for his work in literature and film. His late father, Lee Hian Chin, was once secretary general of the Camarines Norte Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
The 2025 ceremony also marked the launch of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Philippines-China diplomatic relations, set to culminate on June 5.
The FFCCCII, an umbrella federation of 170 Filipino-Chinese chambers of commerce from Aparri to Tawi-Tawi, is proud to have been at the forefront of “fostering Philippine economic growth, cultural preservation and philanthropy.” The group said that it will continue to champion initiatives such as school donations, volunteer fire brigades and projects promoting deeper Philippines-China relations.