Mocha Uson

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Mocha Uson
Mocha Uson 2017.jpg
Uson in 2017
Deputy Administrator for Membership Promotion, OFW Family Welfare, and Media Relations of the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
In office
September 23, 2019 2022 [1] [2]
Years active2001–present

Esther Margaux Justiniano Uson [5] [6] (born May 17 [3] [n 1] ), better known as Mocha Uson, is a controversial [9] Filipino singer, actress, dancer, model, political blogger, and public official [10] widely known for spreading fake news and disinformation. [11] [12] [13] She is also a co-founder of the group Mocha Girls.

Contents

Uson served as a member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) from January 2017 [14] through her appointment as assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in May of the same year [15] by then-President Rodrigo Duterte as a reward for her support in his presidential election campaign. [16] [17] [18] She resigned from office on October 3, 2018, following a series of gaffes, although some insiders said she was dismissed by Malacañang. [19] On September 30, 2019, it was announced that Duterte had appointed Uson as deputy executive director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), [10] much to the outrage of Filipino netizens. [20]

Uson initially gained notoriety for her risqué performances with the Mocha Girls and revealing personal photographs, including articles she authored with sexual content. [18] Critics have also questioned her administrative competence and her propagation of fake news and misinformation via her eponymous blog while in office, earning her the pejorative title "Queen of Fake News". [21] [22] [23]

Early life and education

Mocha Uson was born in Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines. [8] Her father, Oscar Uson, was a judge of the Regional Trial Court in Pangasinan who was assassinated in September 2002 in Asingan, Pangasinan. [24] [25] Her mother, Estrellita Uson, was a pediatrician in Dagupan [25] and a breast cancer survivor. [26] [27] [28] [29] Due to her baby's dark complexion, Uson's mother was frequently gifted with mocha-flavored cakes and ice-cream as a filial or friendly joke, which inspired her childhood nickname. [28]

Uson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas in 1998. [30] [7] She later enrolled at the university's Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 1999, but left during her second year to pursue professional modeling and a song-and-dance career. [28] [31]

Musical and acting career

Music and dance

Uson started as a solo singer-dancer, performing in bars within Metro Manila. She became popular for her sexy image combined with on-stage antics, including lap dances. [32] She also became the lead vocalist of a rock band, Mocha with Spin Art. [33] [34] [35]

In 2006, Uson and her manager, Lord Byron Cristobal, held an audition that led to the formation of the Mocha Girls, together with Hershey Delas Alas, Bez Lacanlale, Grace Oracion, and Heart de Guzman. [29] The group's debut album, A Taste of Mocha, was released in 2006 by XAX Records. Their second album, Mocha, was released in 2007 by Viva Records. Their third album, Deliciosa, was released in 2008, also on Viva Records. [36] [37] The Mocha Girls performed in various venues throughout the Philippines, United States, Dubai, and Guam. [26] [38] [39]

In 2010, Hershey Delas Alas, Bez Lacanlale, Grace Oracion, and Heart de Guzman were dismissed by Cristobal for allegedly accepting drinks and mingling with male customers after a gig; they later formed a splinter girl group called Girlz Ink. [29] [40] Thereafter, the Mocha Girls released a fourth album, Pinay Ako, in 2012 [36] [37] and toured various Philippine cities and internationally in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore. [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46]

Film

In 2009, Uson made her film debut in Sumpa where she starred alongside Joross Gamboa. [47] [48] In 2011, she starred in the Filipino-Malaysian film Seksing Masahista. [49] She also starred in the movies So Much Pain So in Love (2011) and Butas 2 (2012). In 2013, she starred in a coming-of-age film, Mga Alaala ng Tag-ulan, alongside Akihiro Blanco. [50] [51]

Online presence

Blog

Uson is one of the most widely-read commentators in the Philippines through her blog, Mocha Uson Blog, which is hosted on Facebook. [52] Initially, she provided commentary and advice on sex and sexuality and hosted online video chats. [28]

During the 2016 Philippine presidential elections, Uson's blog posts began to shift towards politics. Her blog reached over 5.3 million followers in December 2017, with posts that actively support Duterte and his anti-drug campaign. Her blog also opposes much of the country's leading newsgroups, including ABS-CBN, GMA Network, the Philippine Daily Inquirer , and Rappler, which she derided collectively as "Presstitutes" (a portmanteau of press and prostitute). She had also openly criticized Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes, and the Liberal Party. [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58]

Twitter

Uson also has an active Twitter account. In the morning of March 9, 2017, her account was suspended. She went live that day to criticize supporters of the Liberal Party, who she claimed were responsible for jeopardizing her account. Her account was restored later that afternoon. [59]

Facebook

Uson likewise maintains an active Facebook account. At around 8:00 pm on March 20, 2020, Facebook took down Uson's account following calls to mass report her for violation of Facebook's standards, [60] specifically on propagating hate speech. [61] Following this development, the hashtag #MochaUsonIsOverParty once again emerged as a top trending Philippine and worldwide topic. [62]

Internet memes

Uson is also known for being featured in a number of Filipino Internet memes, including one scene from the 2013 movie Four Sisters and a Wedding , which depicts her being dragged out of a restaurant by the hair in a catfight with the character played by Angel Locsin. [63]

Criticisms and controversies

Uson previously hosted a radio commentary program which aired over DZRH. However, the program was suspended after the radio station received complaints regarding Uson's profane remarks against then-Vice President Leni Robredo. [64]

Critics have also noted that Uson's monthly salary of 106,454.00 for her work at the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) was unusually high for a civil service employee. [65]

Critics called for Uson to resign via social media activism and circulation of petitions. [66]

Fake news and misinformation

Uson has been widely criticized for constantly propagating fake news and misinformation on her blog, [67] [68] [69] earning her the nickname the "Queen of Fake News". [70] [71]

Notable incidents include:

Filipino senators have also criticized Uson for continuously spreading fake news. Senator Nancy Binay questioned Uson's role in the PCOO, asking Secretary Martin Andanar: "How can you fight fake news kung may instances na nanggagaling mismo sa isang Asec yung fake news?" ("when there are instances when the Assistant Secretary herself is the source of fake news?"). [31]

In September 2017, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed administrative and criminal complaints against Uson for spreading fake news that he owned offshore bank accounts and for other alleged unlawful acts. [72] [95] The lawmaker also filed graft charges against Uson for allegedly using her position to propagate false information. [96]

In April 2018, an administrative complaint was filed against Uson by Akbayan Youth before the Office of the Ombudsman over posting misleading content on her Facebook page, with the charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. [68] [97] Uson did not attempt to defend herself against the charges, but rather made a joke thanking the complainants for giving her the idea of starting her own coffee shop business which she would call "Fire Mocha Café", named after the hashtag #FireMocha used by the complainants. [67] [92]

In a 2016 interview with Ricky Lo for The Philippine Star, Uson was asked whether she sleeps soundly at night despite the "ruckus" created by her writings, and she stated: "Yes. I sleep soundly at night knowing that I am fighting for the right side. There is a war going on between good and evil. My mission is to separate truth from lies, light from darkness and good from evil." [30]

Data research and analysis done by Philippine news website Rappler has shown that Uson has routinely shared posts from Philippine fake news websites. [11] [12] [98]

"Pepe-dede-ralismo" controversy

In August 2018, Uson was criticized for sharing a video on the government's position on federalism that included vulgarity and sexually-explicit content. In the video, Uson urged her co-host Drew Olivar to do a raunchy dance, touching his crotch and rubbing his chest while singing "I-pepe, i-pepe. I-dede, i-dede. I-pede, pede, pede, pederalismo". ("Pussy it, pussy it, boobs it, boobs it. Fede it, fede, fede, federalism"). [99] After Olivar's dance, Uson called for applause during the video. [100]

Days after describing Mocha Uson's inclusion in the federalism campaign as a "beautiful decision" and a "brilliant idea", then Senate President Koko Pimentel admitted to being wrong about Uson and described the video as "filthy" and that it opposed the message that the administration intended to convey. [99] [101]

Due to complaints, the Ombudsman of the Philippines Samuel Martires ordered Uson to submit comments explaining her Pepe-dede-ralismo dance campaign before his office, and clarified that even though Uson had recently resigned from her position at PCOO, she would still be held accountable for possible criminal and administrative proceedings. [102]

Mockery of the deaf

In September 2018, Uson released another video in which she mocked sign language. In the video, Uson's co-host blogger Drew Olivar pantomimed sign language with Uson laughing commenting "Para kang unggoy diyan" ("you're like a monkey there"). Deaf advocacy groups protested the video as degrading. [103] [104]

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) investigated a complaint filed by the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, and described the video as "utterly appalling and unacceptable". [105] [106]

Red-tagging and criminal and administrative complaints

Uson has been criticized for red-tagging university students, Lumad educators, [107] activists, [108] and human rights workers. [109]

In December 2020, human rights group Karapatan filed criminal and administrative complaints against Uson and other government officials for alleged violations of RA 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity. According to Karapatan, red-tagging activities by Uson fall under crimes against humanity of persecution. [109] [ non-primary source needed ]

Politics and activism

2016 presidential elections

Uson voiced strong support for then-Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte during his successful 2016 presidential campaign. [24]

During the campaign, she was involved in a dispute with musician Jim Paredes, a member of the OPM musical group APO Hiking Society. Paredes, a supporter of the Liberal Party, along with Senator Mar Roxas, accused Duterte of human rights violations. [110] Uson cited an interview that she had done with Paredes in 2012, alleging that Paredes had questioned her sexual orientation and that he had tried to "hit" on her Mocha Girls bandmate, Mae Dela Cerna and herself. Paredes later responded on his official website, saying that he doesn't remember asking such questions to Uson, describing her allegations as "mere exaggeration", and explaining that she was "very candid, almost bragging" during the interview. [110]

As part of Rodrigo Duterte's administration

Uson greeting President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacanang Palace following her appointment as an MTRCB board member, January 9, 2017 Rodrigo Duterte and Mocha Uson (2017-01-09).jpg
Uson greeting President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañang Palace following her appointment as an MTRCB board member, January 9, 2017

After Rodrigo Duterte's election as president of the Philippines, Uson became more involved in politics and later became a part of Duterte's administration.

In April 2017, Uson was part of the president's official delegation during his state visits to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar. According to a presidential spokesman, she had a large number of followers from overseas Filipino communities, especially in the Middle East, and was brought along to boost morale and well-being. [111]

MTRCB member

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed Uson's appointment to the MTRCB in a text message to Rappler on Thursday, January 5, 2017. [112] As member of the board, Uson's was a member of a subcommittee tasked with reviewing movies, programs, and television shows for recommendations of disapproval. [113] Her position at the MTRCB was set to expire on September 30, 2017, but she resigned on May 8, 2017, following her appointment as assistant secretary of the PCOO. [114]

PCOO assistant secretary

On May 8, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Uson as assistant secretary of the PCOO to handle its social media accounts. [114]

Kris Aquino criticized Uson on her official Facebook account on June 5, 2018, for spreading misinformation about her parents, the late former president Corazon Aquino, and slain former senator Ninoy Aquino. [115]

On October 3, 2018, during a Senate budget hearing, Uson stated that she had resigned as PCOO assistant secretary so that the PCOO's proposed 2019 budget could be passed. [116]

Bureau of Customs

In early August 2016, after her exclusive interview with Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner Nicanor Faeldon for her blog, Uson was allegedly appointed a "social media consultant" by the Bureau. However, she later clarified through her Facebook page that she would not be holding an official position. [117] [118] She drew criticism from Filipino netizens who questioned her qualifications for the job and promoted the Twitter hashtag #DutertePleaseAppointMe to mock the ease of appointments in his government. [119] Some netizens, however, supported Uson and asked the public to give her a chance. [117]

The Bureau of Customs issued an official denial on its Twitter account stating: "Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon will not appoint Mocha Uson as BOC Social Media Consultant but she can write articles about BOC on her blog." Faeldon's chief of staff also clarified that “No papers are being prepared. Commissioner Faeldon did not sign any paper regarding Mocha’s appointment.” [117]

Following this, Uson responded to her critics through an official statement and television interview. She confirmed that she would not be holding an official position at the Bureau of Customs, but reiterated her intent to voluntarily help the Duterte administration through social media. She also urged critics to "make good use of [their] time" by volunteering to help underprivileged children at the Department of Social Welfare and Development. [120] [121]

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

On September 30, 2019, a new list of presidential appointees from Malacañang revealed that Uson had been appointed as deputy executive director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). [122] Uson said she would have more time to focus on Overseas Filipino Worker's (OFW) needs, including the creation of a Department of OFWs.

Critics questioned Uson's competency and qualifications and called her appointment a "recycling of garbage" by the government, a waste of salary, a scam, and a disease.[ citation needed ]

Mocha was heavily criticized for supposedly violating a ban on mass gatherings when she visited quarantined overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lian, Batangas. [123] [124]

2022 elections

Uson supported the candidacy of Isko Moreno for the 2022 Philippine presidential election, remarking that Moreno was like a younger version of Duterte. [125] Uson was also a nominee of the Mothers for Change Party-list (MOCHA Party-list) which took part in the House of Representatives elections. The group has stated that its goal is to represent mothers even though Uson is not herself a mother. [126]

2025 candidacy for Manila city councilor

In September 2024, Uson joined the Aksyon Demokratiko party and announced her candidacy for councilor of third district of Manila in the 2025 elections. She will run under the ticket of Isko Moreno, who will seek a comeback as mayor. [127]

Political stance

Reproductive Health Law

In May 2011, Uson, along with other pro-reproductive health advocates went to the Batasang Pambansa Complex, the headquarters of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, to call for the passage of House Bill No. 4244, better known as the Reproductive Health Bill. The Reproductive Health Bill was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, therefore becoming the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10354) also known as the Reproductive Health Law.[ citation needed ] She then challenged the Catholic Church to excommunicate her for supporting the aforementioned bill. [128] [129] Uson has also expressed her support for effective sex education in schools.[ citation needed ]

Vice Presidency of Leni Robredo

On April 2, 2017, critics of Vice President Leni Robredo held a rally called "Palit Bise" (lit.'Change the Vice [President]') calling for the legal removal of the vice president from the office. [130] According to Uson, the movement aimed to oust Robredo due to her alleged lack of support for the Duterte administration, either by means of impeachment or voluntary resignation. [131]

Personal life

Uson is openly bisexual. [30] [132] She calls herself "an open-minded Catholic," [28] but has suggested that the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines is the antichrist. [133]

Discography

Studio albums

with Mocha Girls

Filmography

Television

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009SumpaJackie
2011Seksing MasahistaMonaMalaysian-Philippine co-production
So Much Pain So in LoveCommercial model/singer
2012Butas 2Pia
2013 Four Sisters and a Wedding MochaCameo
Mga Alaala ng Tag-ulanClaire

Other appearances

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 The Star Confessions episode stated that Uson was born on May 17, 1985 in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. [3] However, the Varsitarian states that she finished her Medical Technology studies at the University of Santo Tomas in 1998, [7] which would mean that Uson would only be around 13 years old at the time of her graduation; thus, it is presumed that she was born before 1985. Furthermore, the Philstar article [8] said that she was born in Dagupan; however, the Star Confessions episode stated that she was born in Urdaneta instead.

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References

  1. News5 [@News5PH] (January 12, 2022). "Papasukin ni OWWA Deputy Administrator Mocha Uson ang karera sa Kamara matapos niyang ibidang aprubado na ng COMELEC ang kaniyang Mocha Party-list na magsisislbi aniyang kinatawan ng mga ina. #BilangPilipino2022 📸: Mocha Uson (Facebook) https://t.co/erhUYxBQEh"" (Tweet) (in Filipino). Retrieved January 20, 2023 via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. Noriega, Richa (March 4, 2022). "Mocha Uson hurt in motorcycle accident in Bataan". GMA News Online. GMA News. Retrieved January 20, 2023. Former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) deputy administrator Mocha Uson suffered injuries following a motorcycle accident in Bataan last week.
  3. 1 2 3 "STAR CONFESSION by MOCHA USON Part 1/3". Youtube. May 19, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
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  18. 1 2 "Philippines' Duterte picks general, running mate and 'sexy' dancer for the government posts". Reuters . May 10, 2017.
  19. "Source says Duterte fired Mocha but Palace insists she resigned". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 8, 2018.
  20. Magsambol, Bonz (September 30, 2019). "'This gov't is good at recycling garbage': Netizens slam Mocha Uson's OWWA appointment". Rappler.
  21. Robles, Alan (May 15, 2019). "Philippine midterm elections: Mocha Uson, 'queen of fake news', fails to win House seat". South China Morning Post.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 Salaverria, Leila (May 11, 2017). "Mocha Uson to defend Duterte against misinformation in media". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  23. Morong, Joseph (May 13, 2018). Mocha Uson, 'Fake News Queen'?. GMA News. Fact or Fake? (in Tagalog). Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2020.  'Fake News Queen!' Nakakalat daw ng fake news. 'Yan ang isa sa mga opposition kay Assistant Secretary for Social Media Mocha Uson. Ano kaya ang tingin nya, sa bansag na 'yan? [Fake news is on the rise, it is often said. That is one of the oppositions to Assistant Secretary for Social Media Mocha Uson. I wonder what she thinks of this nickname for her?]
  24. 1 2 Go, Miriam Grace (February 8, 2016). "Mocha Uson supports Duterte: This is what she's talking about". Rappler. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
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