Dominican broadcaster Jochy Santos received a deeply moving tribute Wednesday night when he dedicated the prestigious Gran Soberano award to his mother, Alina Marte. “Le traje su Soberano ahí, doña. Eso es suyo,” Santos said as he presented the award, which translates to “I gave her the Soberano right there, ma’am. That’s yours.”
An emotional Alina Marte responded, “Oh, how beautiful! Oh my God! That’s yours, but what beauty and how heavy. Wait, that’s very heavy and it’s going to fall!” as Santos shared his signature laugh.
Santos was honored by the Asociación de Cronistas de Arte (Association of Art Critics) with the Gran Soberano, the highest honor at the 2026 Premios Soberano awards show. The recognition celebrates a remarkable career in Dominican media.
Santos began his radio career 50 years ago, in 1975, and has maintained a philosophy that “even as the years pass, laughter will always be the medicine of the soul.”
He currently hosts “Es Temprano Todavía” (It’s Still Early) on Color Visión television and the radio program “El Mismo Golpe con Jochy” (The Same Hit with Jochy) on Zol FM.
Santos’s legacy extends beyond his own success, as he has served as a mentor to a new generation of talent, providing a platform for artists like Aquiles Correa, Hony Estrella, Irving Alberti, Diana Filpo, Raulito Grisanty, JR Acosta, Raymond Ortiz, Félix Tejeda (Ñonguito), Gerald Ogando, Albert Mena, and others. He’s also helped launch the careers of popular personalities like Federico, doña Chicha, and Doble J. This award acknowledges his lasting impact on the Dominican entertainment industry.
