Lala Sotto

A member of the prominent Sotto family, Lala Sotto is the daughter of television host and politician Tito Sotto and actress and singer Helen Gamboa. She has three siblings: Romina, Gian, and Ciara. She is also a first cousin of actress and singer Sharon Cuneta, whose mother, Elaine, is a sister of Helen. Sotto attended Poveda Learning Center in Quezon City for her early education. During her time in college, she became active in student organizations and pursued Spanish studies at Instituto Cervantes, which contributed to her personal growth and interest in public service. She subsequently undertook an executive education program at Harvard Kennedy School. == Political career (2001–2022) ==

Although Sotto was exposed to politics and public life from an early age, her own interest in public service developed during her college years, where she founded the KASAMA Foundation—a youth-oriented organization that would later grow to include thousands of members. Encouraged by her peers and mentors, she pursued a career in politics, eventually receiving the support of her initially hesitant parents to run for public office. From 2010 to 2012, Sotto served as her father's chief of staff on the Commission on Appointments. Sotto was named as the second nominee of AGAP Partylist in 2022. The party-list only gained one seat in the 19th Congress, occupied by the first nominee Nicanor Briones — a defeat for Sotto. == MTRCB chairperson (2022–present) ==

President Bongbong Marcos appointed Sotto as the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in July 2022, succeeding Johnny Revilla. Sotto's appointment came as a surprise to her. She recalled receiving a call from the Office of the Presidential Management Staff inviting her to the oath-taking ceremony on July 5, 2022, which she was unable to attend due to COVID-19 quarantine protocols. She later officially took her oath on July 7. The MTRCB's action drew mixed responses from the public, particularly on social media. Some netizens questioned the impartiality of the summons, pointing out that Sotto did not similarly address a televised incident involving her parents—Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa—who were seen kissing on the noontime show E.A.T. on TV5, aired on July 29. Images comparing the two incidents circulated online, prompting debates about equal application of regulatory standards. On May 22, 2025, President Marcos ordered members of his cabinet (and officials of similar rank) to tender their courtesy resignations following the results of the May 12, 2025, midterm elections. Sotto complied with this order the following day. She will continue to serve as MTRCB chair until the President accepts her resignation, if he does so. ==Personal life==

Sotto is currently married to Mike Antonio with whom she has two children: a daughter named Helena and a son named Marciano. ==References==