Mocha Girls
| Company type | Vocal and dance ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, Entertainment |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Philippines |
Area served | Philippines, Middle East, Asia, North America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Mocha Girls is a female vocal and dance ensemble originating from the Philippines. The current roster features Chloe Recto, Renzy Silvestre, Jade Dela Peña, Princess Chan, and Rica Mae Sanchez. Their discography includes four albums: A Taste of Mocha (2006), Mocha (2007), Deliciosa (2008), and Pinay Ako (2012).
The group initially attracted attention partly due to lead singer Mocha Uson's provocative public image and her widely followed online blog providing sexual advice. The Mocha Girls are considered among the Philippines' leading performance groups combining singing and dancing.
History
Established in 2006, the original lineup consisted of Mocha Uson, Hershey de las Alas, Heart de Guzman, Grace Oracion, and Bez Lacanlale. In early 2010, four members departed to create Girlz Ink,<ref> prompting the addition of Mae Dela Cerna and Jhane Santiaguel,<ref> followed by Yumi Ociman and Aura Balington. After Santiaguel left, Franz Fainsan joined the group in 2011.
Chloe Recto became a member in 2012,<ref> shortly before Balington's exit, which restored the group to five performers with Uson leading. Recto exited in 2013 due to professional obligations.<ref> In April 2013, Seika Hashizume and Georgina Knight were added; Hashizume briefly left but rejoined by July.<ref> Yumi Ociman left in July 2013 after breaching the group's "no boyfriend" policy.<ref> Jhane Santiaguel returned in September 2013 after ending her relationship to concentrate on her career.<ref>
In 2014, trainees such as Jho Ann Sotelo and Pepper Gutierrez joined; Sotelo became an official member but later left that year to pursue a different career path. Gutierrez was formally inducted in July. Sabrina Turner underwent training but departed twice. Khim Dueñas entered as a trainee in 2015, later joining as a full member before leaving in early 2016 to focus on other priorities. A related act called Mocha Babes was formed in 2015 featuring former member Chloe Recto. Additional trainees continued to be incorporated through 2016.
By 2017, members Seika Hashizume, Pepper Gutierrez, and Georgina Knight had also become part of another dance troupe known as Gummy Baes.
Performances and tours
The Mocha Girls frequently perform in Manila and have embarked on tours internationally throughout the Middle East, Asia, and various locations within the Philippines.
In late 2012, they made their debut tour across the US and Canada, followed by another US tour in early 2013 and a Canadian tour in November that year. Between October and December 2014, their itinerary included stops in the UAE, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Japan.
Arrest in Malaysia
On September 4, 2015, while performing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian immigration officials detained the six members of Mocha Girls along with their promoter for not having appropriate work permits. They were held for five days under immigration custody before being released without formal charges but were fined. This situation involved coordination between the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Embassy, and Malaysian authorities.
The group refuted claims that their "sexy performances" led to their detention and revealed intentions to take legal action against their Malaysian show promoter.
Members
- Current
- Chloe Recto (member since 2015)
- Renzy Silvestre (joined in 2017)
- Jade Dela Peña (active since 2016)
- Princess Chan (part of the group since 2016)
- Rica Mae Sanchez (member from 2019)
- Former members
- Mocha Uson (2006–2018)
- Hershey de las Alas (2006–2010)
- Heart de Guzman (2006–2010)
- Grace Oracion (2006–2010)
- Bez Lacanlale (2006–2010)
- Mae Dela Cerna (2010–2015)
- Francoise Denyse "Franz" Fainsan (2011–2019)
- Seika Hashizume
- Pepper Gutierrez
- Georgina Knight
- Shaina Salazar
- Jhane Santiaguel (2010–2011)
- Khim Dueñas (in 2015 and again from 2017 to 2018)
- Aki Mitu (2016–2017)
- Neri Germina (2018–2019)
- Coleen Cerda (2018–2019)
- Mishka Kagami (since 2015)
- Zyra Green (active in 2017)
- Angel Clavario (member in 2017)
- Zsara Tiblani (joined in 2018)
Studio albums
- 2006: A Taste of Mocha (released under XAX Music Entertainment)
- 2007: Mocha (Viva Records)
- 2008: Deliciosa (Viva Records)
- 2012: Pinay Ako / 18+ Restricted (Bellhaus Records)
Awards
- 2009 PMPC Star Awards for Music: Best Dance Album for Deliciosa
- 2012 PMPC Star Awards for Music: Best Dance Album awarded to 18+ Restricted