Iloilo Probinsya sang Iloilo
—  Province  —
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): The Heart of the Philippines
Map of the Philippines with Iloilo highlighted
Coordinates: 11°00′N 122°40′E / 11°N 122.667°E / 11; 122.667Coordinates: 11°00′N 122°40′E / 11°N 122.667°E / 11; 122.667
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas (Region VI)
Founded	1566
Capital	Iloilo City
Government
• Type	Province of the Philippines
• Governor	Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD/Nacionalista/PRP)
• Vice Governor	Oscar Garin, Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
Area
• Total	4,829.1 km2 (1,864.5 sq mi)
Area rank	23rd out of 80
Population (2007)
• Total	1,691,878
• Rank	11th out of 80
• Density	350/km2 (910/sq mi)
• Density rank	14th out of 80
Divisions
• Independent cities	1
• Component cities	1
• Municipalities	42
• Barangays	1,721 including independent cities: 1,901
• Districts	1st to 5th districts of Iloilo including independent cities: Lone district of Iloilo City
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code
Spoken languages	Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Capiznon, Tagalog, English

Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province, once part of Iloilo Province but now a province in its own right. Across the Panay Gulf and Guimaras Strait is Negros Occidental. Iloilo's capital is Iloilo City though the city itself is independent and not governed by the provincial government of Iloilo.

According to the 2007 national census, the population of province excluding Iloilo City is 1,691,878. If Iloilo City is included, the population is 2,110,588.^[1]

History[link]

At the time of the Spanish conquest, writing was a new import and the use of organic medium such as leaf and bamboo, and no pre-Hispanic written accounts of Iloilo exist today. Oral history, in the form of recited epics, has survived to a small degree, with a few recordings made from the last known surviving binukots.

The earliest written historical accounts concerning the province relates to Spain's conquest of the island of Panay by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi moving his headquarters from the island of Cebu and creating the first Spanish settlement in the island in Ogtong in 1566. In 1581 the encomienda in Ogtong was moved to La Villa Rica de Arevalo, because of frequent coastal raids by Moro and Dutch privateers, this was again moved near the mouth of the Irong-irong river founding what is now Iloilo City and constructing Fort San Pedro to defend it in 1616.

The City of Iloilo by virtue of a Royal Decree of 1896 was given the honor of having a Coat of Arms with the Inscription: "La Muy Leal Y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo."

Language[link]

Hiligaynon (or "Ilonggo") is an Austronesian language spoken in Western Visayas in the Philippines. Hiligaynon is concentrated in the city of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. It is also spoken in the other provinces in Panay island, such as Capiz, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras, and many parts of Mindanao like Koronadal City, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Kidapawan City and Cotabato City and also in some parts of Maguindanao municipalities of Datu Paglas, Buluan and Mangudadatu as well. (It is spoken as a second language by Karay-a in Antique, Aklanon and Malaynon in Aklan, Cebuano in Siquijor, and Capiznon in Capiz.). There are approximately 7,000,000 people in and outside the Philippines who are native speakers of Hiligaynon, and an additional 4,000,000 who are capable of speaking it with a substantial degree of proficiency.

The language is referred to as "Ilonggo" in Negros Occidental and in Iloilo. More precisely, "Ilonggo" is an ethnoliguistic group referring to the people living in Panay and the culture associated with the people speaking Hiligaynon. The boundaries of the dialect called Ilonggo and that called Hiligaynon are unclear. The disagreement of where what name is correct extends to Philippine language specialists and native laymen.

People and culture[link]

People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. There are two local languages spoken in the province: Hiligaynon sometimes called Ilonggo, and Kinaray-a. Hiligaynon and variants of it are spoken in Iloilo city and a few towns of the province. Spanish is strictly a local language,at least in a historical way, but the number of natural Spanish speakers have declined strongly after WWII, and due to this, there are today many Ilonggos who do not consider it a local language.

Spanish architecture can be seen in old buildings in downtown Iloilo. Chinese Merchants and Indonesians were trading with the Ilonggos long before the Spaniards came. The ruling Spanish government encouraged these foreign merchants to trade in Iloilo but they were not given privileges like ownership of land. Foreign merchants and Spaniards intermarried with the locals, and the Mestizo class was eventually born from their union. The Mestizo offsprings of the local nobilities later emerged as the ruling class of the Ilonggos (see Principalía).

The town's fiesta is one of the most important events for Ilonggos. Almost every town (municipality) in Iloilo has a fiesta and festival celebrated annually.

Geography[link]

Aerial View of Iloilo from the Iloilo Strait.

The Province of Iloilo is the largest marshland in Western Visayas after the Sanderbans. The province is divided into two distinct geographic regions; the highlands of the Madia-as on the western border and the lowland plains which account for a larger portion of the province. Small islands east of its northernmost tip also dot the Visayan Sea - of these, Pan de Azucar and Sicogon are well-known.

Climate[link]

Political[link]

Iloilo is subdivided into 42 municipalities, one component city, and one highly urbanized city

Cities[link]

Aerial view of Iloilo City.

• Iloilo City (Iloilo City (http://www.iloilocity.gov.ph) is independent from the Province of Iloilo, but remains the Provincial Capital of the Province)
• Passi City

Municipalities[link]

Government[link]

GOVERNOR: Arthur D. Defensor, Sr.

Vice Governor: Richard S. Garin, Jr.

Provincial Board Members: 1st District

1. Macario N. Napulan
2. Gerardo Flores

2nd District

1. June S. Mondejar
2. Demy P. Sonza

3rd District

1. Licurgo Tirador
2. Emmanuel Gallar

4th District

1. Hernan G. Biron
2. Maria Shalene P. Hidalgo

5th District

1. Nielo Tupas
2. Jett Rojas

Ex-officio Board Members:

1. PCL President: Cecilia A. Colada
2. ABC President: Jeneda C. Salcedo
3. SK President: Charmine Devicente

District Representatives: 1st District: Janette Loreto-Garin 2nd District: Augusto Syjuco 3rd District: Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. 4th District: Ferjenel G. Biron 5th District: Niel C. Tupas, Jr.

Congressional Districts[link]

1st District[link]

• Municipality: Guimbal, Igbaras, Miagao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, Tubungan
• Congresswoman: Janette Loreto-Garin

2nd District[link]

• Municipality: Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga
• Congressman: Augusto Syjuco

3rd District[link]

• Municipality: Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, Pototan
• Congressman: Arthur Defensor Jr.

4th District[link]

• City: Passi City
• Municipality: Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, San Enrique
• Congressman: Ferjenel Biron

5th District[link]

• Municipality: Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, San Rafael, Sara
• Congressman: Neil Tupas Jr.

Tourism[link]

The Miag-ao Church is one of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

As a leading province during the Spanish Colonial Era, the province of Iloilo is widely known for its beautiful old world architecture similar to that of Latin American Countries. Spanish colonial Churches are amongst the well-known tourist sites in the province.

Miagao Church. The World Heritage Site. The Aztec-Baroque inspired church with Filipino botanicals used to carved on the facade. It is known for its intricate facade and pyramidal bell towers. The church was used as a fortress during the olden days. It is a massive structure built of yellowish Limestones.

Molo Church. The Gothic Renaissance Church of Molo was used as a watch tower to warn the people if there are any attackers on the shore of Iloilo City. It is a fine coral stone church with Classical and Gothic details. It is also known as the feminist church because of the beautiful female saints lining inside the church.

Cabatuan Church. This Neoclassic Church, known to be the most massive Hispanic structure in Iloilo is built of red bricks. It is believed to be the largest red brick structure in the Visayas and it was given the title "Model of Temples" by the 'El Eco de Panay'. The Cabatuan Church is known to be the only extant Spanish colonial church with three facades.

San Jose Church. The beautiful church in front of plaza Libertad is considered the most historic amongst the churches in Iloilo City. It is a Byzantine-Neoclassic Church planned to look like the Spanish Church of Valencia del Cid. The Church is known for its collection of priceless Catholic treasures.

Old Capitol building of the Province of Iloilo. A National Historical Site. The building was built with wood stone during the Spanish colonization. It served as the capitol when the civil government of Iloilo was founded in 1901. The National Historical Institute (NHI) formally recognized the Old Capitol as a historical landmark through a marker installed on its walls on April 11, 2010.^[2]

The Historic province of Iloilo is also known for 'Calle Real'; a street of old buildings with their classical designs. During January, the city heats up for Dinagyang, the festival dubbed as "The best tourism event in the Philippines" It is a collection of tribe warriors dancing in honor of the Child Jesus.

Universities and Colleges[link]

University of the Philippines Visayas Miag-ao Campus (UPV Main Campus), Miag-ao, Iloilo University of the Philippines Visayas Iloilo City Campus, Iloilo City University of San Agustin, Iloilo City- The First University in Western Visayas St. Pauls University, Iloilo City Central Philippine University, Iloilo City- The first Baptist University in Asia, which was established by Protestant missionaries under the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society ; The first university to be declared as a tourism in the world by a local government; The University flagpole marks the Center of the Philippines in terms longitude and latitude ;reflects on CPU University Logo. University of Iloilo, Iloilo City West Visayas State University Main Campus, Iloilo City WVSU-College of Agriculture and Forestry Campus, Lambunao, Iloilo WVSU-Calinog Campus, Calinog, Iloilo WVSU-Janiuay Campus, Janiuay, Iloilo WVSU-Pototan Campus, Pototan, Iloilo John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo Campus, Molo, Iloilo City -First Maritime University in the Philippines John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Villa Arevalo Campus, Villa Arevalo, Iloilo City Western Visayas College of Science and Technology Main Campus, Iloilo City WVCST-Don Jose Sustiguer Monfort Memorial National College, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo WVCST-Purification Dolar Monfort College, Dumangas, Iloilo WVCST-Leon National College of Agriculture, Leon, Iloilo WVCST-Southern Iloilo Polytechnic College, Miag-ao, Iloilo Iloilo Doctor's College, Iloilo City Western Institute of Technology, Iloilo City AMA Computer University, Iloilo City STI, Iloilo City Interface Computer College, Iloilo City Informatics, Iloilo City ABBA Institute of Technology, Iloilo City Cabalum Western College, Iloilo City Colegio de San Jose, Iloilo City Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Iloilo City De Paul College, Iloilo City St. Therese - MTC Colleges Tigbauan Site, Tigbauan, Iloilo St. Therese - MTC Colleges La Fiesta Site, Molo, Iloilo City St. Therese - MTC Colleges Magdalo Site, La Paz, Iloilo City Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (Main) Estancia, Iloilo NIPSC Laboratory High School- West Campus, Estancia, Iloilo NIPSC- Barotac Viejo Campus NIPSC- Batad Campus NIPSC- Concepcion (CPC) NIPSC- Sara Campus NIPSC- Lemery Campus NIPSC- Ajuy Campus Leon Ganzon Polythechnic College, Balasan, Iloilo Iloilo Technical College, Iloilo City ISCOF-Iloilo State College of Fisheries-Dumangas Campus Dominican College of Iloilo, Zarraga, Iloilo New Lucena Polytechnic College-New Lucena Notable Ilonggos[link] Main article: List of people from Iloilo Communications and mass media[link] Iloilo City is home to regional television stations of GMA Network, TV5 and ABS-CBN. The News Today (Iloilo) Panay News The Daily Guardian News Express CREAM Magazine TV Patrol Panay Online Media Experience Iloilo Online Directory Iloilo Directory References[link] ^ "Population and Annual Growth Rates for Region, Provinces and Highly Urbanized Cities Based on Censuses 1995, 2000 and 2007". 2007 Census. National Statistics Office. http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007/index.html. Retrieved 16 July 2011.  ^ "Old Iloilo capitol now a national historical site". Philippine Information Agency. 13 April 2010. http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p100413.htm&no=68. Retrieved 16 April 2010.  External links[link] Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Iloilo Republic of the Philippines: Official website of the Provincial Government of Iloilo Philippine Standard Geographic Code 1995 Philippine Census Information 2000 Philippine Census Information 2007 Philippine Census Information Capiz Antique Visayan Sea    Iloilo    East Iloilo Strait, Guimaras Strait Guimaras, Negros Occidental v t e Component local government units of Iloilo Municipalities Ajuy Alimodian Anilao Badiangan Balasan Banate Barotac Nuevo Barotac Viejo Batad Bingawan Cabatuan Calinog Carles Concepcion Dingle Dueñas Dumangas Estancia Guimbal Igbaras Janiuay Lambunao Leganes Lemery Leon Maasin Miagao Mina New Lucena Oton Pavia Pototan San Dionisio San Enrique San Joaquin San Miguel San Rafael Santa Barbara Sara Tigbauan Tubungan Zarraga Component city Passi Highly urbanized city Iloilo (Administratively independent from the province, but grouped under the province of Iloilo by the National Statistics Office) v t e Political divisions of the Philippines Capital Manila National Capital Region Autonomous region Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Provinces Abra Agusan del Norte Agusan del Sur Aklan Albay Antique Apayao Aurora Basilan Bataan Batanes Batangas Benguet Biliran Bohol Bukidnon Bulacan Cagayan Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Camiguin Capiz Catanduanes Cavite Cebu Compostela Valley Cotabato Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Davao Oriental Dinagat Islands Eastern Samar Guimaras Ifugao Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur Iloilo Isabela Kalinga La Union Laguna Lanao del Norte Lanao del Sur Leyte Maguindanao Marinduque Masbate Misamis Occidental Misamis Oriental Mountain Province Negros Occidental Negros Oriental Northern Samar Nueva Ecija Nueva Vizcaya Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro Palawan Pampanga Pangasinan Quezon Quirino Rizal Romblon Samar Sarangani Siquijor Sorsogon South Cotabato Southern Leyte Sultan Kudarat Sulu Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur Tarlac Tawi-Tawi Zambales Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay Former Provinces Agusan Ambos Camarines Camarines Cotabato Davao Kalinga-Apayao Lanao Lepanto-Bontoc Manila Mindanao and Sulu Mindoro Misamis Moro Province Negros Negros del Norte Occidental Leyte Oriental Leyte Samar Shariff Kabunsuan Surigao Tayabas Zamboanga Other subdivisions Island groups (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) Regions Cities Municipalities Barangays Legislative districts Territorial disputes North Borneo (Sabah) Scarborough Shoal Spratly Islands

Jessica Soho is Filipino broadcast journalist, documentarian and news director who received a George Foster Peabody Award^[1] and was the first Filipino to win the British Fleet Journalism Award in 1998.^[2]

She has reported for the GMA network for 27 years.

A Ka Doroy Valencia awardee, Soho was also one of the 100 Filipino Women of Distinction chosen during the centennial celebration of the Philippines.

Her story of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley made her the first Filipino to win in the New York Film Festival for Coverage of a Breaking Story.

She helped conceptualize the one-hour documentary television program I-Witness, which ran for over 10 years becoming the longest running late-night program on the air as of 2009^[3]

Her documentaries on the Kidneys for Sale business and Kamao death sport made her the first Filipino reporter, with GMA Network as the first Filipino network, to win the George Foster Peabody Award on 1999.^[4]

Soho hosts Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho and was honored on October 14, 2008, by Quezon City with the Outstanding Citizen Award.^[5]

Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) was recognized as the Most Development-Oriented Magazine Program. Program host Jessica Soho got two awards – the Best Public Affairs Program Host and the Best Magazine Program Host in the Gandingan 2009: UPLB Isko’t Iska's Broadcast Choice Awards. Gandingan 2009 is the first award-giving ceremony in the field of broadcasting instituted by Community Broadcasters’ Society (UPCBS) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). It pays tribute to the best broadcast programs that air over TV and radio.^[6]

In 2004, at the annual Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists event, she stated that "Provincial and regional journalists, in my view, are the real heroes in this profession. The dangers and risks you face and encounter are no doubt far greater than those that we face in Manila," in reference to the 55 journalists in the country that had been killed to date, "But despite the hazards of the job, journalists must work hard and strive to make Philippine media strong, robust and credible."^[7]

Her biggest break in news-casting entitled State of the Nation with Jessica Soho as a news anchor.

Career[link]

Jessica Soho is a Filipino reporter, host, producer and currently the acting news director of GMA Network. She joined the GMA team in the mid-80s, fresh from college, barely finished with her undergraduate thesis.

Soho's first voice-over report was a feature story on the inauguration of the Light Rail Transit from Baclaran to Monumento. Later she was assigned to the defense and military beat. Eventually, Soho's reputation and responsibility have increased dramatically since then.

At the UP College of Mass Communications, Soho met the journalist Luis Beltran who inspired Soho to finish Mass Communications.

She is the first Filipino to win in the New York Film Festival for Coverage of a Breaking Story for her account of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley. She also received the Ka Doroy Valencia Award given by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas. In 1994, she received the Grand Prize from the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union for her riveting coverage of a breaking news story. Soho is included in the list of 100 Filipino Women of Distinction.

In the documentary "Kidneys for Sale", Soho explored a depressed area in Manila and discovered the unemployed selling their kidneys to make ends meet.

Work History[link]

Jessica Soho is a graduate of the University of the Philippines.

An accidental journalist whose dream was to become a lawyer, Jessica started as a reporter in 1985, choosing to work in television despite her lack of training in broadcast journalism.

She learned the ropes at GMA-7, where she started as a news reporter covering the military-defense beat among other editorial beats. Then as now, she also covered unusual news events such as man-made and natural calamities, from killer earthquakes to super typhoons, even coup attempts and high-profile hostage situations.

She has helped produce a number of News and Public Affairs special and programs including the network’s election coverage from the 1980s until the most recent one.

She has also been sent on a number of significant overseas assignments such as the exile of the Marcoses in Hawaii; the Hong Kong Handover in 1997; President Corazon Aquino’s first state visit to Indonesia and Singapore in 1986; President Fidel Ramos’ state visit to France and Germany in 1993 and many more.

She has also reported on the plight of overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

She founded and conceptualized the program EMERGENCY. She was the first Executive Producer of the program.

She is one of the founders of the premiere investigative news magazine show, Brigada Siete. She was also the host and chief reporter of the program.

She was head of the Special Assignments Team (SAT) of GMA News and Public Affairs. This section produced special/investigative reports for GMA’s news programs, Saksi and Frontpage: Ulat ni Mel Tiangco.

She conceptualized I-Witness, the pioneering and highly-acclaimed documentary series of GMA. She is also one of the original hosts of the program.

On the side, Ms. Soho has been a member of the screening committee of TOYM for four (4) consecutive years. This committee screens and selects TOYM nominees.

Recently, Ms. Soho has pioneered in the coverage of world events such as the crisis in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Israel.

She is currently Vice President for News of GMA News & Public Affairs.

Awards[link]

• George Foster Peabody Award for Investigative Journalism.

• British Fleet Journalism Award, 1998^[2]

• 2003 Rotary Club of Manila, Journalism Awards, Hall of Fame Recipient

• 2002 PMPC Star Awards for Television, Best News Magazine Show and Best News Magazine Host – jessica soho reports

• 2002 Catholic Mass Media Awards, Best News Magazine Show – jessica soho reports

• 2002 KBP Golden Dove Awards, Best Public Affairs Program for Metro Manila and Best Public Affairs Host – jessica soho reports

• George Foster Peabody Award for Investigative Journalism. This is regarded as the Pulitzer Prize for Broadcasting. Two documentaries reported and produced by Ms. Soho, “Kidneys for Sale” and “Kamao” (Fist) has won for her network, the Philippines’ first Peabody award.

• New York Film and Television Festival for Coverage of a Breaking Story. Ms. Soho’s coverage of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley in Northern Philippines won the bronze in the festival. She is the first Filipino to have won this award and in the news category. She has also been a consistent finalist in this same festival since.

• Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Grand Prize Winner. “Kape at Balita”, hosted by Ms. Soho for both radio and TV won this award in Kyoto, Japan for coverage of a breaking story.

• Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award. Ms. Soho won this award in 1993. This is usually given to the best and brightest Filipinos in various fields.

• TV Journalist of the Year given by the prestigious Rotary Club of Manila. Ms. Soho won this award for two (2) consecutive years: 1989 and 1990.

• Golden Dove Awardee / Broadcaster of the Year (Ka Doroy Valencia Award) given by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas. She is the first recipient of this award.

• Journalist of the Year given by the Rotary Club District 3180

• Cultural Center of the Philippines or CCP Gawad Natatanging Parangal (Special Awardee) for two (2) consecutive years: 1989 and 1990.

• Best TV Special for “The Anatomy of Rape”, a documentary/special report hosted, reported and produced by Ms. Soho. The award was given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

• Best TV News Magazine for “Within the Walls”, a documentary/special report hosted, reported and produced by Ms. Soho on prison life. The award was given by the Catholic Mass Media Awards.

• Political Reporter of the Year Award for coverage of “The Ipil Massacre” given by the Metro Pacific Corporation Journalism Awards.

• Best Host in the 1999 Golden Dove Awards given by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas.

• Fleet Street Awardee for Investigative Journalism given by the British Embassy in Manila in 1998.

• Special Award for Journalism given to the program I-WITNESS by the Star Awards for Television. The program was hosted then by Ms. Soho and three (3) other hosts : Cheche Lazaro, Luchi Cruz-Valdes and Mike Enriquez.

• Ambassador of Dreams given to Five Outstanding Filipinas led by the former President Corazon Aquino.

• 100 Filipino Women of Distinction. Ms. Soho was included in a book on top 100 Filipinos of the first 100 years of the Philippine Republic. The book was authored by Joy Buensalido and Abe Florendo.

• Community Outstanding Young Achievers (COYA) given by the Quezon City Capitol Jaycees and the Sampaguita Jaycees Inc.

• Outstanding Alumnae of the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines.

• Outstanding Citizen of the Province of La Union and the City of San Fernando, La Union respectively given by the Governor and the Mayor.

• Finalist, Best Documentary in the Asian TV Festival for “Kamao” (Fist), a documentary on the plight of Filipino boxers.

• Finalist, Best Documentary and UNESCO Awardee in the 2000 New York Film and Television Festival for “Katas ng Payatas” (The Essence of Payatas), a documentary on the tragic garbage dump in Metro Manila.

• Outstanding Contribution in the field of Media for the successful People Power II revolt given by the Council on Philippine Affairs or COPA. COPA is composed of various organizations that make up the “civil society” in the Philippines.

• Outstanding Broadcast Journalist Award given by the Metrobank Foundation in October 2001.

• Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Awardee for Media for 2001.

• Best Documentary Program for I-WITNESS given by the Star Awards for Television for 2001.

• Best TV News Magazine for I-WITNESS (episode by Jessica Soho) given by the Catholic Mass Media Awards for 2001.

• Best News and Current Affairs Special for 2001 given by the Asian TV Festival for SAKSI sa KASAYSAYAN. Ms. Soho was Supervising Producer for this special.

• Juror, 37th Grand Anvil Awards - Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP)

• Grandslam Winner, 2002

Golden Dove Awards Best Public Affairs Show for Jessica Soho Reports Golden Dove Awards Best Public Affairs Show Host for Jessica Soho Reports Star Awards for TV Best News Magazine Show for Jessica Soho Reports Star Awards for TV Best News Magazine Show Host for Jessica Soho Reports CMMA Best Public Affairs Show for Jessica Soho Reports CMMA Best Public Affairs Show Host for Jessica Soho Reports

• Best Public Affairs Presenter, Highly Recommended : 2001-2002 Asian TV Festival

• Journalism Awards for Broadcast Journalism Hall of Fame : Rotary Club of Manila, 2003

• Finalist, Best Social Issue/Current Events Program : New York Festival, 2004 (Mona Lisa Hospital, Jessica Soho Reports)

• Awardee, Mary Kay Philippines 3rd Anniversary, 2003 (Women with a Heart)

• Finalist, Unicef Children’s Rights Awards, 2004 (Missing Story, Jessica Soho Reports)

• Finalist, Best Current Affairs Program : Asian TV Awards, 2004 (Hospital, Lova Palooza and Manok ni Idol, Jessica Soho Reports)

• Finalist, Japan Prize, 2004 (Quiz Bee, Jessica Soho Reports)

• Finalist, Barcelona TV Awards, 2004 (Quiz Bee, Jessica Soho Reports)

• Best Magazine Show : Star Awards for TV, 2004 (Jessica Soho Reports)

• Anak TV Seal, 2004 (Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho)

• Certificate, Special Issues : US International Film and Video Festival, 2005 (Sana’y Muling Makapiling)

• Anak TV Seal, 2005 (Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho)

• Certificate Special Issues : US International Film and Video Festival, 2006 (Sana’y Muling Makapiling)

^[8]

• Anak TV Seal, 2007 (10 Most Admired Femal Personalities )

• Best Magazine Show : Catholic Mass Media Awards 2007 (Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho)

• Finalist, Best Infotainment : Asian TV Awards 2007 (Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho)

• Finalist, Best Public Service Program : Catholic Mass Media Awards 2007 ( Sana’y Muling Makapiling)

• Finalist, Social Issues Category : New York Film Festival 2008 ( Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho and Sana’y Muling Makapiling )

• Best Magazine Program Host : UPLB Gandingan Awards 2008 (Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho)

• Recipient 2nd Adamson University Media Awards 2012

Membership in Organizations/Conferences Attended

• Former Director and Secretary of the National Press Club

• Former President, Defense Press Corps

• Fellow, Nihon Shimbun Kyokai (Association of Newspaper Editors and Publishers of Japan)

• Grantee, International Visitors Program of the United States Information Service

• Delegate, Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (Singapore, 1991)

• Delegate, International Media Seminar organized by the United Nations Population Fund (Bali, Indonesia 1992)

• Delegate, Producers’ Meeting organized by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1992)

• Delegate, Radio-TV News Directors of America (RTNDA) Convention (Los Angeles, California 1996)

• Delegate, Radio-TV News Directors of America (RTNDA) Convention (New Orleans, Louisiana 1997)

• Delegate, Seminar on Democracy given by the British Council (Colchester, Essex, England 1998)

• Voting Member. Radio TV News Directors of America Convention

• Vice President for External Affairs UP College of Mass Communication Alumni Association

References[link]

John Edward Tajanlangit (born July 14, 1980), better known by his stage name, Jed Madela, is a Filipino recording artist and TV host. His hit songs as a solo artist include How Can I Fall, The Past, The Search is Over, and Love Always Finds a Way.

Jed made waves during the 2005 World Championship of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California when he single-handedly won all major industry awards.He bested over 3,000 contestants from 52 countries to win the grand prize.^[1]

There were six categories whereby Jed won the golds. For the pop category, he sang “I’m Your Angel.” For the original song category, meaning a composition from the singer’s home country, he did Martin Nievera’s old hit, “Be My Lady.” For Broadway (“Home”), pop duet (with Risa Navales, they sang (“Last Night of the World”), gospel (“Take Me Out of the Dark”), and for the final song that made him grand champion, it’s Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing.”^[2]

He also brought home two Champion of the World plaques, one star trophy for the award Grand Champion of the World in the singing division and a huge diamond trophy for the most coveted Grand Champion Performer of the World.^[3]

He is a co-host and performer of ASAP Mania.

Life and career[link]

Early life and career beginnings[link]

Madela was born in Iloilo, Philippines, the son of JC Roy Tajanlangit, a choirmaster, and Agnes Tajanlangit, an Administrative Assistant at Pepsi. He is the elder brother of Eric Tajanlangit and Joanne Christine Tajanlangit.

Because of his five-year training as the front man of the band Prime Council, Jed’s voice was honed to perfection. For long hours, he would sing all types of songs. He shared the stage with singer Aaliyah Parcs and Kulay’s former member Radha. The band’s gigs were mostly in Iloilo, where Jed comes from. The late Bella Tan caught one of the gigs of Jed and his band at a hotel in Manila one night. Jed made quite an impression on the record executive. And before Jed knew it, he was signing up a contract with Universal Records. As the saying goes, the rest is history. But Jed’s success story did not start there. He thrived and worked so hard to penetrate the local music scene. But his efforts were useless. He was tired and frustrated. Voice of Asia knocked on Jed’s door on 2003. He joined the singing contest and won the silver prize. But his big break came in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA). He signed up for the international contest and found himself winning major awards including the 2005 Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World. He bested some 3,000 contestants, and for any singer, that was no mean feat.^[4]

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

Films[link]

Discography[link]

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Marian Rivera
Born	Marian Gracia Rivera (1984-08-12) August 12, 1984 (age 27) Madrid, Spain
Occupation	Model, Actress
Years active	2005–present

Marian Rivera (born Marian Gracia Rivera on August 12,^[1] 1984 ^[2][3] in Madrid, Spain) is a Filipina commercial model and actress, known for her roles in Marimar, Dyesebel, Darna, and Amaya.^[4] As a recording artist, Rivera has released two studio albums: the platinum hits Marian Rivera Dance Hits^[5] and Retro Crazy.^[6][7] She has also starred in movies that have grossed more than PhP 100 million at the box-office such as: My Bestfriend's Girlfriend,^[8] You to Me Are Everything,^[9] and Panday 2.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Personal life[link]

Marian Rivera was born in Madrid, Spain to Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso, a Spaniard and Amalia Rivera, a Filipina from Cavite.^[14] After her parents separated, her mother brought her to the Philippines where she grew up most of her life. She later finished BS Psychology in De La Salle University Dasmariñas.

Career[link]

Television[link]

Rivera first starred in afternoon soap operas for TAPE Inc. and GMA Network including Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, Agawin Mo Man Ang Lahat and Pinakamamahal. She was then featured in Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko: The Legend Continues.^[15] Later, GMA Network cast her in a mother role for the afternoon Philippine-Malaysian drama Muli.^[16]

Rivera formally signed a contract in GMA Network, Inc. and starred the title role of MariMar, which premiered on August 13, 2007. The show became the highest-rated primetime show on Philippine television at that time.^[17][18]

In 2008, Rivera played the role of Dyesebel^[19] which aired on April 28, 2008. For starring in the most popular TV shows like Marimar and Dyesebel Rivera was given the "Phenomenal TV Star" award by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) at the 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards.^[20]

In early 2009, she appeared in her first straight drama series, Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang.^[21] Later that year, Rivera was cast as Darna in the TV remake of the greatest superhero in the Philippines.^[22]

In 2010, Rivera, starred in the TV remake of the Korean dramaEndless Love.^[23]

In 2011, Rivera headlined GMA Network's series Amaya.^[24]

In late 2011, it was confirmed that she will partner once again with real and reel boyfriend Dingdong Dantes in the most-awaited fantasy series of GMA-7, "My Beloved," which is currently in pre-production for 2012.^[25]

In 2012, Rivera headlined GMA Network's upcoming weekend DraMedy which will be aired this year entitled, Tweets for my Sweets with Nova Villa, Chef Boy Logro, Sheena Halili, Mikey Bustos, Barbie Forteza, Elmo Magalona, & Roderick Paulate.

Films[link]

In 2006, Rivera signed a contract for Regal Films and was cast in the horror movie, Pamahiin.^[26]

A year later, Rivera co-starred in two Metro Manila Film Festival MMFF entries: Bahay Kubo that was topbilled by Maricel Soriano and Desperadas.^[27]

In 2008, Rivera starred with Richard Gutierrez in the romantic comedy hit My Best Friend's Girlfriend^{[28][dead link]}

In December 2008, she starred once more in two MMFF entries. Rivera played the role of Nieves, The Engkanto Slayer, in the omnibus horror trilogy, Shake, Rattle & Roll X. She also worked with the Desperadas cast anew, for the sequel, Desperadas 2.

The following year, she topbilled the horror movie, Tarot.

In early 2010, she appeared with Dingdong Dantes in You to Me Are Everything, a romantic comedy box-office hit. She also starred in her own MMFF Entry movie, Super Inday and the Golden Bibe and got nominated for the first time as Best Festival Actress on the previous 36th Metro Manila Film Festival - "Gabi ng Parangal".

In early 2011, Rivera starred in one Regal Entertainment Movie entitled, Temptation Island (after 30 Years of making) and once more in MMFF entry, Ang Panday 2 with his first time leading men, Sen.Bong Revilla Jr.

In 2012, Rivera will have another movie with Regal Entertainment. She will be paired for the first time with Coco Martin which will be a cross network barrier between GMA Network & ABS-CBN. The said movie is proposed by Mother Lily Monteverde and will be directed by Director Maryo J. Delos Reyes.

Walk of Fame[link]

Rivera was among the third group of stars honored in the Walk of Fame located in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City.

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

Movies[link]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

Awards[link]

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References[link]