On a week marked by honors and activism in Manila, the Philippines found itself at the crossroads of celebrating journalistic excellence and rallying for civic empowerment. Two major events—the induction of Jessica Soho into the inaugural Rolling Stone Philippines Hall of Fame and the 2025 Social Good Summit—spotlighted the enduring power of storytelling and grassroots action in shaping society.
Jessica Soho, already the most-awarded Filipino broadcast journalist, added yet another feather to her cap on Thursday, November 20, 2025. At a ceremony held at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City, Soho was inducted into the Rolling Stone Philippines Hall of Fame, joining an illustrious group of trailblazers from the worlds of art, film, media, sports, and music. The event was a who’s-who of Filipino cultural icons, with National Artist Kidlat Tahimik (Art), Charo Santos-Concio (Film and TV), Vic del Rosario Jr. (Media), Paeng Nepomuceno (Sports), and Juan Dela Cruz (Music) rounding out the inaugural class of honorees.
Soho, unable to attend in person, expressed her gratitude in a recorded acceptance speech. "Thank you very much for the honor and distinction, the time and space you gave me in your wonderful magazine," she said, her words echoing through the ballroom as Sancia Palma, executive producer of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, accepted the award on her behalf. Soho’s humility and passion for her craft shone through as she reflected on her storied career. "Throughout my career, I have always believed in the power of stories to inspire, help people, and change lives — and hopefully, even our country — for the better."
Her journey is nothing short of remarkable. According to Rolling Stone Philippines, Soho was the first Filipino to win the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award in 1999 for her investigative documentaries "Kidneys for Sale" and "Kamao" on i-Witness. She later clinched a second Peabody in 2014 for her coverage of Typhoon Yolanda, a tragedy that shook the nation to its core. Soho’s ability to cover everything from wars in Afghanistan to local disasters, and to host a beloved news magazine show featuring stories on events, pop culture, food, and celebrities, has made her a household name across generations.
Fellow broadcast journalist Rico Hizon, who presented the honor, highlighted the broader impact of Soho’s work. He said her steadfast commitment to journalism "proved to alter not just her life but the course of Philippine journalism" as a whole. Hizon also used the occasion to underscore the media’s vital role in exposing government corruption and championing transparency and accountability—values Soho has long embodied. "Let’s keep those stories coming and the conversations going," Soho urged in her speech, "because the more we talk and listen, the better for all of us."
Just days earlier, on November 16, the Social Good Summit 2025 convened at the heart of Manila, bringing together activists, volunteers, and global luminaries for a daylong exploration of how ordinary people can spark extraordinary change. The summit, organized by Rappler, featured a breakout session that resonated with Soho’s philosophy—the belief in the transformative power of collective action and storytelling.
Ukrainian human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk, founder of the Center for Civil Liberties and recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, addressed the gathering. She spoke about the ongoing struggle to build effective state institutions in Ukraine, stressing that "the power of their people" is the true source of a society’s resilience. "And this belief of ordinary people that their efforts matter," Matviichuk told the audience, "is why our survival source is local democracy, is freedom of speech, is self-organization, is grassroots initiatives, is women organizations." Her words offered a reminder that democracy’s lifeblood flows from the ground up, not the top down.
Matviichuk was joined by Filipino civil society leaders who brought home the challenges and triumphs of grassroots activism. Raffy Magno, executive director of Angat Buhay, described the relentless work of mobilizing volunteers for disaster response across the Philippines. "It’s not just about food packs or hot meals or shelter kits," Magno said. "It’s about demanding accountability from the government." For Magno, sustainability means more than funding; it’s about engaging people as part of the solution, making them understand that their participation is vital.
Alvin “Toni Gee” Fernandez of the Mujer-LGBT Organization recounted the difficulties of recruiting volunteers in Zamboanga, where security concerns and red-tagging—being falsely accused of terrorism—pose real threats. Despite these challenges, Mujer LGBT has forged partnerships with at least 20 local governments in Mindanao and launched a human rights caravan to raise awareness on SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) and human rights. Fernandez emphasized, "Volunteerism is personal. What we’re doing is… making them realize the importance of engaging in advocacy." The group hopes to expand the caravan, build equality hubs, and create localized human rights learning modules, but resource limitations remain a constant hurdle.
Youth leader Angel Grace Espiritu, president of Pangasinan Youth for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, highlighted the necessity of clear communication in disaster preparedness. "Disaster is a chain of choices," Espiritu said. "We want communities protected from poor governance. We want DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction Management) systems that work." Espiritu challenged the notion that young people are passive recipients of aid, insisting they are active agents of change.
The summit’s international profile was boosted by the presence of human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and actor-activist George Clooney, who headlined the event. Senator Risa Hontiveros delivered the closing remarks, capping a day of impassioned debate and shared purpose. George Clooney, ever the optimist with a dose of realism, told the audience, "History does not move in a straight line." He encouraged everyone to accept failure as part of the process: "Because every once in a while, you know, you get to look around and see somebody move that ball all the way up."
As the dust settles from these events, the message is unmistakable: whether through the lens of a camera or the energy of volunteers, the Philippines continues to be shaped by those who believe in the power of stories and the strength of civic action. Awards and summits may come and go, but the ripple effects of ordinary people doing extraordinary things can last a lifetime.
