Mocha Uson

Biography

Esther Margaux Justiniano Uson (born May 17, 1978), better known as Mocha Uson, is a Filipino media personality, political blogger, and former public official whose career and online presence have drawn significant attention and criticism, particularly regarding allegations of spreading fake news and disinformation. She is also a co-founder of the dance group Mocha Girls. Uson served as a member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) from January 2017 until her appointment as an assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in May of the same year by President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte defended the appointment, citing utang na loob (debt of gratitude) for her support during his presidential election campaign. She resigned from the PCOO on October 3, 2018, following a series of controversies; sources gave differing accounts, with some reporting she was dismissed by Malacañang. On September 30, 2019, Duterte appointed Uson as deputy executive director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an appointment which drew public criticism from Filipino netizens. Prior to her government appointments, Uson was known for her work as an entertainer with the Mocha Girls, which included performances and media content that were described as risqué. Her time in office, particularly her use of her blog as a platform, was marked by criticism regarding her administrative competence and the dissemination of fake news and misinformation. News outlets and critics have referred to her as the "Queen of Fake News."

== Early life and education == Mocha Uson was born in Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines. However, she later stated in her Certificate of Candidacy to run for councilor of Manila in 2025 that she was born in Makati, Metro Manila on May 17, 1978. Her father, Oscar Uson, was a judge of the Regional Trial Court in Pangasinan who was assassinated in September 2002 in Asingan. Her mother, Estrellita Uson, was a pediatrician in Dagupan and a breast cancer survivor. 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. Uson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas in 1998. 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.

== 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. She also became the lead vocalist of a rock band, Mocha with Spin Art. 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. 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. The Mocha Girls performed in various venues throughout the Philippines, United States, Dubai, and Guam. 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. Thereafter, the Mocha Girls released a fourth album, Pinay Ako, in 2012 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.

=== Film === In 2009, Uson made her film debut in Sumpa where she starred alongside Joross Gamboa. In 2011, she starred in the Filipino-Malaysian film Seksing Masahista. 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.

== Online presence ==

=== Blog ===