Mocha Girls: How the Mocha Girls Sparked a National Political Conversation
The Mocha Girls are sparking national political conversations with their bold voices and fearless opinions. Known for their music and performances, the all-female singing group are using their platform to address social issues that resonate with fans across the country. Their influence shows how entertainers can shape public dialogue beyond the stage.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The group was founded and originally led by Mocha Uson, who later transitioned into politics and blogging.
- The Mocha Girls lineup has changed multiple times.
- The group has released several successful studio albums, including A Taste of Mocha, Deliciosa, and Pinay Ako / 18+ Restricted.
- Despite success, they have faced controversies, including legal issues involving work permits and internal conflicts that led to member expulsions.
Who are Mocha Girls?
The Mocha Girls are a popular Filipino all-female singing and dancing group formed in 2006. They are known for their energetic performances both in the Philippines and internationally. The group has featured members like Chloe Recto and Renzy Silvestre and was originally led by Mocha Uson.
Over the years, the group have released albums including A Taste of Mocha and Pinay Ako, cementing their place in the local music scene.
Who are the members of Mocha Girls?
Over the years, the group has seen several lineup changes, with both current and past members contributing to its success.
Over the years, the Mocha Girls have seen several lineup changes, with both current and past members contributing to the group’s success. Original members' names like Mocha Uson, Hershey de las Alas, Heart de Guzman, and Grace Oracion have helped establish the group’s identity.
Current Members
- Chloe Recto
- Renzy Silvestre
- Jade Dela Peña
- Princess Chan
- Rica Mae Sanchez
Past Members
- Mocha Uson (original leader)
- Hershey de las Alas
- Heart de Guzman
- Grace Oracion
- Bez Lacanlale
- Francoise Fainsan
- Mae Dela Cerna …and several others who have helped shape the group’s legacy.
Who is the Mocha girls leader?
Mocha Uson (Esther Margaux Justiniano Uson) is the founder and former leader of the Philippine all-female dance group, the Mocha Girls. She led the group from its inception in 2006 until around 2018, before transitioning into a career as a political blogger and government official.
What is Mocha Uson's background?
Mocha Uson (Margaux Justiniano Uson) is a Filipina entertainer, blogger, and former government official known for her role as leader of the all-female group and her staunch support of Rodrigo Duterte. A Medical Technology graduate from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), she left medical school to pursue a career in performance.
Fun facts about the group members
As a fan, you might want to know each of the members individually and why they are unique.
1. Chloe Recto
Source: Instagram
- Name: Chloe Recto
- Group: Mocha Girls / Mocha Babes
- Joined Mocha Girls: 2012 (left 2013)
- Joined Mocha Babes: 2015
- Role: Singer, dancer, performer
Started with the Mocha Girls in 2012, rejoined the music scene in 2015 with the sister group Mocha Babes, showcasing her skills in singing, dancing, and live performances.
2. Renzy Silvestre
- Name: Renzy Silvestre
- Group: Mocha Girls
- Joined Mocha Girls: 2018
- Role: Singer, dancer, performer
Renzy Silvestre is a current member of the Mocha Girls, having joined the Filipino pop/dance group in 2017/2018 as part of the lineup that keeps the ensemble active on stage and in events. She performs as a singer and dancer alongside her groupmates, contributing to the group's energetic live shows and pop‑dance routines.
5. Jade Dela Pena
Source: Instagram
Jade Dela Peña is a Filipino singer and dancer who became a member of the Mocha Girls in 2016. Since joining, she has been part of the group’s evolution, helping solidify their reputation for high‑energy performances that blend pop vocals with choreography.
Jade’s role in the group involves both singing and dance routines that showcase her versatility as a performer.
- Name: Jade Dela Peña
- Group: Mocha Girls
- Joined Mocha Girls: 2016
- Role: Singer, dancer, performer
6. Princess Chan
Princess Chan joined the Mocha Girls in 2016 and has since become a key member known for her energetic stage presence and strong dance skills. She contributes to the group not just with singing but with highly choreographed routines that are a hallmark of their live performances.
- Name: Princess Chan
- Group: Mocha Girls
- Joined Mocha Girls: 2016
- Role: Singer, dancer, performer
7. Rica Mae Sanchez
Source: UGC
Joined in 2019, Rica Mae Sanchez is a singer and dancer known for her energetic performances with the Mocha Girls. She takes part in live shows, music videos, and group choreography, helping maintain the group’s dynamic stage presence. Rica also engages with fans on social media, supporting the group's visibility and influence in the Philippine pop scene.
- Name: Rica Mae Sanchez
- Group: Mocha Girls
- Joined Mocha Girls: 2019
- Role: Singer, dancer, performer
Mocha Uson's scandals
Mocha Uson has faced widespread criticism for spreading misinformation through her blog, earning her the controversial label of “Queen of Fake News.” She has been involved in public controversies, including citing a non-existent “263rd article” of the Philippine Constitution during a tax case involving the tobacco company Mighty Corp, despite the Constitution having only 18 sections.
In 2018, she also drew criticism for releasing a video that was widely considered offensive toward the deaf community.
Mocha Girls' scandals
The group faced legal trouble in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when several members were arrested for working without the proper permits. According to Charles Jose, DFA Assistant Secretary, the group and their promoter were detained by Malaysian immigration officials for performing in the country while on visit passes.
They were released on the sixth day of detention with assistance from the Philippine embassy, avoiding the full 14-day penalty for violating work-permit terms. Internal group conflicts also led to the expulsion of members Hershey de las Alas, Grace Oracion, Heart de Guzman, and Bez Lacanlale.
Former leader Mocha Uson had established strict rules prohibiting members from accepting drinks from male patrons or sitting at tables with them, and violations of these rules reportedly resulted in their removal from the group.
Albums
Despite the challenges faced by the group, it still has fabulous and has endless opportunities to pursue. They have released many songs and have performed far and wide. The Mocha Girls have released several studio albums since their formation in 2006, showcasing their pop and dance music style:
- 2006 – A Taste of Mocha (XAX Music Entertainment) – Their debut album, introducing the group’s energetic style.
- 2007 – Mocha (Viva Records) – Continued to build their presence in the Philippine music scene.
- 2008 – Deliciosa (Viva Records) – Featured upbeat dance tracks and solidified their fanbase.
- 2012 – Pinay Ako / 18+ Restricted (Bellhaus Records) – Highlighted mature themes and marked a new era for the group’s music and image.
The Mocha Girls have done several songs. Some of their top-performing songs are Twirl It & Shake It, I kissed A Girl, Patch, Mobe, Sige (paalam Na), Take a Sip, among others.
Mocha Girls awards
They have been recognised for their contributions to dance music in the Philippines:
- 2009 PMPC Star Awards for Music – Best Dance Album for Deliciosa
- 2012 PMPC Star Awards for Music – Best Dance Album for 18+ Restricted / Pinay Ako
Who is the Mocha Girls manager?
Lord Byron Cristobal served as the longtime manager for the Mocha Girls, directing their performances and tours both in the Philippines and abroad. He managed the all-female group, which was originally founded by Mocha Uson, during their active years in the industry.
Kami.com.ph recently published an article about GirlTrends members. GirlTrends was a popular Filipino all-girl dance group on the ABS-CBN noontime show It's Showtime.
The original members (22) mainly consisted of former Pinoy Big Brother housemates and young actresses. The membership dropped from 22 to 7 in 2019 and dissolved in 2020. Click on the link above to learn more!
Source: KAMI.com.gh
