Jay Sonza

Jose Yumang Sonza (born September 20, 1955), more commonly known as Jay Sonza, is a Filipino blogger and a former newscaster and talk show host.

Sonza was born on September 20, 1955, in Macabebe, Pampanga, to Dalmacio Sonza and Segundina Yumang.

During his childhood, his family migrated to Bansalan, Davao del Sur, near Mount Apo.

He was able to work to finance his studies.

During that time, he worked as a bartender in resto-bars in Davao City.

He finished both elementary and high school in Bansalan.

He later took up BA Political Science at the University of Mindanao, and BS Economics at the University of the Philippines.

Pursuing studies in the United States, he took special studies on satellite broadcasting at the University of Nebraska, as well as a degree at the East-West University in Hawaii; and attended a program of the Civil Service Academy.

At his teenage years, Sonza worked at DXGE, a radio station in Davao City, where his media career later began as disc jockey and news anchor.

His expertise also gave way to be part of DXUL, DXDC, DXRA, DXRP and an ad promo agency.

He worked as well as a writer for radio.

He became part of Radio Mindanao Network, working for DZXL from 1980 to 1986 as announcer, news director and program director; at the same time, he acted as officer in charge of the network's DXDC and DXXL in Davao City.

He worked at ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation from 1987 to 1995.

He became a part-time news writer.

Following his transfer, he was among the people behind the network's newscast TV Patrol.

In ABS-CBN, Mel and Jay premiered on DZMM in 1987; a few years later, it aired on Channel 2 as a Sunday talk show and public affairs program with the same title, which was Sonza's first television appearance.

Upon their transfer to GMA Network, the program aired since 1996 on Channel 7, being renamed Partners Mel and Jay, and later on DZBB.

Aside from these, he also became part of RPN-9 in 2000 where his program, Tapatan, was moved from GMA-7; he once worked as news anchor at ABC-5 in 2001 but later resigned due to pressure at his own consultancy firm.

He also became part of radio station DZRH in 2000.

Also worked for publications, Sonza became a People's Daily Forum editor and a correspondent of the Philippine News Agency and two Mindanao-based periodicals.

He also worked for The Manila Times, Hot News, Abante, and Abante Tonite.

It was during his career when he won several awards, among them the PMPC Star Awards for Television, a Catholic Mass Media Award for Public Service, and the Rotary Club of Manila's Outstanding Journalist Award.

He later retired from the media industry and became a social media personality.

Sonza was among the witnesses presented by the prosecution during the 2000 impeachment trial of then president Joseph Estrada.

Sonza worked for Commission on Population–Davao Region as an information officer.

He also worked at the provincial government of Davao del Sur, being an administrator for six years; as well as at the Ministry of Social Services Development for eleven years as a youth development officer for the Bureau of Youth Welfare.

He returned in 2001 as program host.

Sonza reportedly had been interested in politics, as both Lapian ng Masang Pilipino and Lakas parties invited him to be in their senatorial lineup in the 2001 elections.

He then worked at GMA Network until 2004, wherein he became a supervising producer and consultant.

He was the director of GMA Bisig Bayan Foundation.

Sonza, together with Mel Tiangco who also worked for DZXL, were known being the tandem who popularized radio and television programs.

He later unsuccessfully ran thrice for various political positions; twice for the Congress: in 2004, for senator under Alyansa ng Pag-asa coalition and Aksyon Demokratiko; and in 2007, for sectoral representative, being a BATAS party-list nominee.

He was the former station manager of the terrestrial television station UNTV from 2005 to 2009.

Since 2005, he became station manager of UNTV-37.

He took his hosting duties in these networks.

In 2010, being among the eight vice presidential candidates, he ran under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan with his running mate disqualified by the Commission on Elections during the campaign.

He only placed seventh.

During the administration of Rodrigo Duterte, Sonza, known for being a self-confessed supporter, was widely criticized for spreading fake news and rumors against the government's critics, one of them then vice president Leni Robredo.

His various remarks and social media posts even became the subject of fact-checking.

At a time, Sonza, also a farmer, had three business enterprises.