Mocha Uson

Mocha Uson
Birth name Margaux Uson
Also known as Mocha
Born (1982-05-17) May 17, 1982
Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines
Genres Pop, R&B, P-pop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • model
  • blogger
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2005–present
Associated acts Mocha Girls, Mocha With Spin Art
Website www.mocha.com.ph

Margaux Uson (born May 17, 1982), known professionally as Mocha Uson or by her stage name Mocha, is a Filipino singer, dancer, model, and blogger best known as the lead vocalist of the Mocha Girls.

Early life

Mocha was born on May 17, 1982 in Dagupan, Pangasinan.[1] Her father, Oscar Uson, was a regional trial court judge who was assassinated on September 2002 in Asingan, Pangasinan.[2][3] Her mother, Estrellita Uson, was a pediatrician in Dagupan.[3] In 2010, Mocha's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer but is now cancer-free after undergoing treatment.[4][5][6][7]

Mocha attended the Mother Goose Special School System for her elementary and high school education and earned her bachelor's degree in medical technology from the University of Santo Tomas.[8] She studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery but dropped out during her second year to pursue her musical career full-time.[6]

Career

Music

Main article: Mocha Girls

Mocha started as a solo singer-dancer performing in bars around Metro Manila. She was popular for her sexy image & on-stage antics, which included lap dances.[9] For a time, she served as lead vocalist of the rock band Mocha With Spin Art.[10][11][12]

In 2006, Mocha and manager Lord Byron Cristobal launched an audition and formed the Mocha Girls along with Hershey Delas Alas, Bez Lacanlale, Grace Oracion, and Heart de Guzman.[7] 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 by Viva Records.[13][14] Together, they performed in various venues throughout the Philippines, United States, Dubai, and Guam.[4][15][16]

In 2010, Hershey Delas Alas, Bez Lacanlale, Grace Oracion, and Heart de Guzman were dismissed by manager Lord Byron Cristobal for taking drinks and sitting with male customers after a gig. Delas Alas, Lacanlale, Oracion and De Guzman eventually formed their own girl group called Girlz Ink.[7][17]

Since the departure of the four members, several line-up changes have occurred. The current line-up consists of Mocha Uson, Mae Dela Cerna, Franz Fainsan, Georgina Knight, Seika Hashizume, Shaina Salazar and Jade Dela Peña.[18] Their fourth album, Pinay Ako, was released in 2012 by Bellhaus Entertainment.[13][14] The new Mocha Girls have performed in various Philippine cities, as well as the United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Malaysia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.[19][20][21][22][23][24]

Film

In 2009, Mocha made her film debut in Sumpa where she starred alongside Joross Gamboa.[25][26] In 2011, she starred in the Filipino-Malaysian film Seksing Masahista.[27] She has also starred in the sexy indie films So Much Pain So in Love (2011) and Butas 2 (2012). In 2013, she starred in the coming-of-age film, Mga Alaala ng Tag-ulan, alongside Akihiro Blanco.[28][29]

Internet

Main article: Mocha Uson Blog

Mocha is one of the most widely-read commentators in the Philippines.[30] She uses her blog to provide commentary and advice on sex-related issues, and to host online video chats.[6] The blog has over 20 million hits as of June 2016.[30]

During the 2016 Philippine presidential elections, Mocha's blog posts started to focus on politics. Her Facebook page, MOCHA USON BLOG, has over 4.2 million followers as of October 2016, and contains posts actively supporting President Rodrigo Duterte and his anti-drug campaign. The blog also criticizes the Philippines’ top news groups, ABS-CBN, GMA Network, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Rappler which she has labelled as “Presstitutes” – a portmanteau of press and prostitute. She has also criticized Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes, and the Liberal Party.[31][32][33][34][35][36]

Personal life

Uson is openly bisexual.[6][37][38][39]

Political views

She voiced staunch support for former Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte during his 2016 presidential campaign.[2]

Controversies

She criticized musician Jim Paredes—member of the OPM artist APO Hiking Society—for criticizing Duterte's alleged emphasis on human rights violation; Paredes is a supporter of the Liberal Party with its standard-bearer, Senator Mar Roxas.[40] She cites an interview she had with Paredes in 2012, saying that Paredes probed in asking questions about her sexuality and that he tried to hit on Mocha Girls band mate, Mae dela Cerna, and her. Paredes later responded in his blog jimparedes.com, saying that he doesn't remember asking such questions to Uson, describing her allegations as "mere exaggeration", and explained further how she was "very candid, almost bragging" during the interview.[40]

Early in August 2016, Uson was alleged to have been appointed by the Bureau of Customs as "social media consultant", but she later clarified through her Facebook page that she will not be holding an official position.[41] She drew criticisms from netizens, promoting the Twitter hashtag #DutertePleaseAppointMe viral citing how easy it is to secure a position under the Duterte administration. Following this, she responded through an interview by urging critics to instead volunteer and help underprivileged kids at the Department of Social Welfare and Development.[42]

Discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Television

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Sumpa Jackie
2011 Seksing Masahista Mona Malaysian-Philippine co-production
2011 So Much Pain So in Love Commercial Model-Singer
2012 Butas 2 Pia
2013 Four Sisters and a Wedding Mocha Cameo
2013 Mga Alaala ng Tag-ulan Claire

Other appearances

References

  1. ↑ Orosa, Rosalinda L. (May 18, 2011). "Mocha in Star Confession". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  2. 1 2 Go, Miriam Grace (February 8, 2016). "Mocha Uson supports Duterte: This is what she's talking about". Rappler. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  3. 1 2 De Leon, Eva; Ramirez, Cesar (September 29, 2002). "Pangasinan judge dies in ambush". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  4. 1 2 Villasanta, Boy (August 21, 2010). "Cleavages show up at benefit concert". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  5. ↑ Carrasco, Ronnie III (August 22, 2016). "Mocha Uson, Cristy Fermin reconcile". The Manila Times. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Visconti, Katherine (February 9, 2011). "Mocha Uson up close and personal". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 Buan-Deveza, Reyma (April 28, 2010). "Mocha says ex-band mates axed". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  8. ↑ Cayabyab-Mercado, Nes (4 August 2016). "'Mocha, hindi magiging 'consultant' - Customs". Bombo Radyo. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  9. ↑ Sarthou, M. (2009, April). Girl-on-girl power. Maxim Philippines, 40-50
  10. ↑ Mocha With Spin Art. Juice.ph (February 24, 2006)
  11. ↑ A new flavor for Mocha. ClickTheCity.com (24 Nov 2005).
  12. ↑ Mocha with Spin Art: The Homecoming Concert. Manila Bulletin. (November 22, 2004).
  13. 1 2 Mocha Girls Red Hot Mocha Night at Music Museum. Philippine Concerts. (5 October 2013)
  14. 1 2 Joseph, Anthony (September 17, 2013). "Downpour fails to dampen Miri street party". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  15. ↑ "Mocha Girls in Guam". The Philippine Star. March 14, 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  16. ↑ "Mocha Girls in Dubai". The Philippine Star. July 27, 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  17. ↑ Villasanta, Boy (May 3, 2010). "'Ex-Mocha Girls members replaced for defying Uson'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  18. ↑ Journey (March 2, 2016). "Exciting 'journey' with the Mocha Girls". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  19. ↑ Red, Isah V. (April 24, 2013). "Mocha Girls back from US and Canada". Manila Standard. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  20. ↑ "Mocha Girls arrested in Malaysia for performing without permit". GMA News. September 11, 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  21. ↑ "Mocha Girls return to Canada". The Philippine Star. October 6, 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  22. ↑ Belleza, Irish Eden R (September 2, 2011). "South Border, Mocha Girls entertain Pinoys in Dubai's Shoppiesta". Gulf News. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  23. ↑ Ranada, Pia (April 4, 2016). "Supporters cry foul over 'kawawa' photo of Roxas in Hong Kong". Rappler. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  24. ↑ "Mocha Girls marks 7th year". The Philippine Star. May 8, 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  25. ↑ "Mocha Girls hopes for 'love life'". ABS-CBN News. December 11, 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  26. ↑ Borromeo, Eric (December 17, 2008). "Singer-actress Mocha does bi-sexual bed scenes in movie 'Sumpa'". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  27. ↑ Villasanta, Boy (February 16, 2011). "'Mocha' members star in a Fil-Malaysian film". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  28. ↑ Sallan, Edwin P. (April 1, 2013). "Akihiro Blanco, Mocha Uson star as May–December lovers in CineFilipino entry". InterAksyon. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  29. ↑ Marfori, MJ (April 20, 2013). "Mocha Uson vows to handle Akihiro Blanco with care in coming-of-age film". News 5. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  30. 1 2 Dizon, Irish Christianne (June 11, 2016). "A night with Mocha Uson". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  31. ↑ "Mocha Uson confronts Ateneo student publication". CNN Philippines. October 15, 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  32. ↑ Ressa, Maria A. (October 8, 2016). "How Facebook algorithms impact democracy". Rappler. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  33. ↑ Tan, Oscar Franklin (September 26, 2016). "Is the Mocha Uson Blog evil?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  34. ↑ "Mocha Uson explains dance group's performance in Bilibid prison". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 22, 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  35. ↑ Serato, Arniel (September 2, 2016). "Mocha Uson hits Vice President Leni Robredo anew". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  36. ↑ Santiago, Erwin (May 29, 2016). "Mocha Uson to Leni Robredo: 'Support Duterte or else we will be forced to remove you from your office.'". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  37. ↑ Mocha Uson - September 2010 - Girls Of FHM | Digital home of FHM Philippines and the sexiest Filipino women online | FHM.com.ph
  38. ↑ Simply Entertainment: Mocha Uson: the Newest Bi Sex Guru [Repost]
  39. ↑ Lagura, Trina (April 2, 2009). "Mocha proud of her sexuality". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  40. 1 2 "Jim Paredes belies sexy singer Mocha's 'twisted' stories, accusations". Inquirer.net. December 5, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  41. ↑ Guinto, Joel (August 4, 2016). "Mocha Uson named Customs 'consultant'". ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Mocha: Stop the bashing". ABS-CBN Corporation. August 4, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.

External links

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