Joey de Leon

Joey de Leon
Joey de Leon (right) plays as a contestant in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? hosted by Vic Sotto (left).
Born	José María Ramos de León October 14, 1946 (1946-10-14) (age 63) Manila, Philippines
Years active	1969-present

José María Ramos de León, better known as Joey de Leon (born October 14, 1946) is a Filipino comedian/TV host. Famous for his wit, green jokes, and sarcasm, he is one of the popular hosts of the long-running noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!. He is a member of the famous comedy trio Tito, Vic and Joey that has made several hit comedy movies and TV shows. As a songwriter, Joey has penned a number of Filipino hit songs that many in the Philippines now consider as classics, notably "Ipagpatawad Mo" (Forgive Me), "Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko" (Sing and I Will Dance), "Boyfriend kong Baduy" (My Geeky Boyfriend), "Iskul Bukol" (School Lump).

Personal life

Prior to being an entertainer, de Leon earned his architecture degree from the National University in Manila. He was also a disc jockey for 12 radio stations when he was starting out.

Joey de Leon has five children. With first wife then sexy actress (turned character actress) Daria Ramirez, their union produced two children, Joseph Joachim (Keempee de Leon) and Jacinda Myrtle (Cheenee de Leon). Shortly thereafter, Joey married again to budding actress Eileen Macapagal in 1980s. Their union produced three children, Jocas Eightria, Jako and Jio. Joey also has three grandchildren from eldest daughter Cheenee and one granddaughter from Keempee. He is also a nephew of Elvie Villasanta, mother of fellow comedian Ariel (partner of Maverick Relova).

Early career

He started out his showbiz career in the 1960s as a radio DJ (disc jockey) for some of the top FM stations mostly owned by pre-martial law ABS-CBN. Some of his radio colleagues and contemporaries included Inday Badiday, Ike Lozada, Johnny de Leon (no relation) and Helen Vela. In a span of five years, he worked for 12 different FM stations while doing other jobs as gag writer and songwriter. His first big break on TV was IBC's gag show OK Lang which starred him alongside the Sotto brothers (Tito, Vic and Val), Ricky Manalo, Jr. and the APO Hiking Society.

Tito, Vic and Joey

In 1975, Joey became a co-host of GMA Network's early afternoon variety show Discorama hosted by Bobby Ledesma (of Student Canteen fame). At that time, the show hardly had any viewers and suffered from low ratings. While Bobby was on vacation, he told Joey to take care of the show. Joey invited his former co-stars at OK Lang, brothers Tito, Vic and Val Sotto, to join him at Discorama. Only Tito and Vic accepted Joey's invitation. The newly-formed trio started to do comedy newscast segments interspersed with Top 40 hit-song parodies written by Joey. The new comedy trio gave Discorama a new lease on life and was saved from the axe of network executives. The trio was soon invited to become part of Bobby's noontime show Student Canteen as they released 12 hit albums based on their Discorama Tough Hits segment.

Although Tito, Vic and Joey started their trio via Discorama and Student Canteen, it was the sitcom Iskul Bukol that gave them nationwide fame as comedians. Soon after, other TV and movie producers came knocking on the trio's door. In 1979, Tito, Vic and Joey started hosting for the noontime show Eat Bulaga! which was pitted against the more established Student Canteen hosted by their former colleague (and now competitor) Bobby Ledesma. Not long after, Eat Bulaga! toppled Student Canteen from the ratings.

Joey as solo artist

Although Joey continued to do movies alongside his showbiz team mates Tito and Vic, he started doing solo performances for other TV shows. He topbilled Joey and Son in the '80s, a sitcom on RPN where he played father to a very young Ian Veneracion (who later metamorphosed into a teen heartthrob and action star in the '90s). He was also one of the gag performers on TODAS where his co-stars included Jimmy Santos and Val Sotto. Other TV shows that Joey did as a solo host/comedian included Apple Pie, Patis, Atbp., The Sharon Cuneta Show, and Let's Go Crazy. He was launched by Viva Films as a solo comedian in She-Man: Mistress of the Universe, a parody of the foreign animated series He-Man. The movie was a big hit, and Joey went on to do more solo movies, mostly with his favorite sidekick Rene Requiestas. He also tried his hand at directing movies like Romeo Loves Juliet and Small, Medium, Large.

Joey topbilled movies that are mostly spoofs of foreign movies or takes at American and Filipino pop culture. When Starzan became a box-office hit in 1989, he did two more sequels on that same year with tremendous box-office results. Because of the phenomenal box-office standings of the 3 Starzan movies that he made, he was named Box-Office King for that year. He also earned the title Sequel King because most of his movies (Barbi, Elvis and James, Long Ranger en Tonton) each spawned sequels.

When Rene Requiestas went solo with his movie career (and later died in 1993), Joey concentrated on TV. He did several TV shows for major networks, mostly with GMA and ABC. In 1995, Joey made a movie comeback via the comedy Bangers for Viva Films, which teamed him up with comic Chiquito and rapper/comedian Andrew E.. This was later followed up by a series of comedy films that had him topbilled alongside other comedians like Leo Martinez (Pipti-pipti) and Dennis Padilla (Ang Tipo kong Lalake and Takot ako sa Darling Ko). However, with the Philippine movie industry slowly losing its grip on the audience, Joey decided to concentrate on TV again, although he still appears in movies every now and then. Currently he still hosts Eat Bulaga which is now the longest-running TV program in the Philippines, and appears in other shows like Mel and Joey, Startalk, Nuts Entertainment and started a new show for ABC, the now-defunct Teka Mona, which replaced Wow Mali, his long-running TV show on the same network. Another show is in the works for Joey this time on GMA's sister station Q. He started hosting Takeshi's Castle with Ryan Yllana. He is also the resident judge of the annual reality-based star search StarStruck and writes the entertainment column De Leon's Den once a week in the Philippine broadsheet Manila Bulletin.

In December 2006, Joey returned to recording with a novelty single he wrote entitled "Itaktak Mo" (Shake it off). Unlike most of his previously recorded songs where the melodies were based on past and contemporary hits, Itaktak Mo had a unique melody that can pass off as either a pop dance hit or a ballroom song. Seen by critics as his answer to the other wildly popular hit, Boom Tarat Tarat (written by Lito Camo and sung by Joey's rival host Willie Revillame), Itaktak Mo was softly launched on Eat Bulaga! shortly before the Christmas season. On January 2007, the song was launched in Joey's album, Joey to the World 2 and gained airplay in most FM stations in a short span of time. Itaktak Mo has also become part of Eat Bulaga!'s segment "Taktak Mo o Tatakbo" that replaced "Laban o Bawi", and is also one of the official dances of the 4th batch of the reality talent search StarStruck.

After "Itaktak Mo" became one of the most requested dance tunes of 2007, Joey followed it up with "Kagat Labi Song", which was launched on "Eat Bulaga" on September 22, 2007. The "Kagat Labi" dance craze was already sweeping the whole country by storm before Joey wrote it. On February 24, 2008, Joey released a single entitled "Walang Daya" (No Cheating) with lyrics comparing his love to his rival host Willie Revillame's misfortunes (Wilyonaryo, Ferrari and Ultra stampede). He first sang it at his own program "Mel and Joey". "Walang Daya" will be included in the album version of "Kagat Labi" will be released under EMI Philippines.

Controversies

This article's Criticism or Controversy section(s) may mean the article does not present a neutral point of view of the subject. It may be better to integrate the material in those sections into the article as a whole.

Suspension

Joey has been suspended by the MTRCB (the Philippine censorship board) twice from hosting Eat Bulaga!. His first suspension was in 2003 for one month, after uttering a joke related to birds during the question and answer portion of the kiddie pageant That's My Boy.

His second suspension was in 2004 after uttering a Filipino slang word for fellatio during the TKO portion. The second suspension was supposedly for two months but after reportedly suffering from emotional and health problems brought about by the suspension, he was allowed by MTRCB to go back on the air after a month.

Since then, Joey has cleaned up his act although he still retains his 'pilyo' (naughty) ways when he makes people laugh with his jokes.

Word War with Willie Revillame

On August 29, 2007, Joey was the subject of Willie Revillame's ire after the latter aired his so called - sentiments in the ABS-CBN noontime variety show, "Wowowee". At that time Joey was still on vacation in Hong Kong with the cast and staff of "Eat Bulaga!". On August 30, 2007, Joey answered Willie's tirades against him by advising his erstwhile colleague in a 10-minute speech, "Explain before you complain". On that day, Senator Mar Roxas, chairman of the Philippine Senate trade and commerce committee, announced that he will propose an inquiry into the alleged game rigging on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show "Wowowee" after getting information from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and concerned parties (after Joey de Leon, host of rival show "Eat Bulaga!" of GMA TV jokingly called upon lawmakers to conduct a probe).^[1]

More than a year after the word war, Joey and Willie buried the hatchet when both hosts were invited to the Supreme Awards of The Philippine Star. Willie received awards as Televisionary Award and Best Noontime Show for "Wowowee" while Joey received the highest Supremo award. On their respective speeches, both hosts expressed their admiration for each other. Joey also denied there was a word war between him and Willie, admitting the supposed word war was just "teasing".

Gag order allegations and self-regulation

On September 15, 2007 Joey took a leave of absence from GMA's Saturday talk show "Startalk" after MTRCB allegedly issued a directive to GMA Network to prevent him from further commenting on the "Wilyonaryo Scam" of rival noontime variety show "Wowowee". Some unnamed executives of GMA were also reported to have told Joey to refrain from wearing t-shirts with printed references to "2-0", "Explain before you complain" or "Cheating is..." or making hand gestures in reference to the said scam. On September 19, 2007 in his "De Leon's Den" column in the Manila Bulletin, Joey jokingly wrote that he might go back to radio to continue commenting on the "Wilyonaryo" scam but has vaguely declared a close book on it.

De Leon eventually returned on Startalk On October 6, 2007.

Resignation from Manila Bulletin

On July 31, 2008, Joey tendered his irrevocable resignation as columnist (De Leon's Den) for Manila Bulletin. The reason for his resignation was because of a news article written by Dindo Balares for Manila Bulletin's sister tabloid newspaper Balita that the "Eat Bulaga" US show last July 19, 2008 was a flop. In the said article the writer questioned the lack of success in "Eat Bulaga"'s show in Los Angeles. What got the ire of De Leon was Balares' claim that a certain GMA-7 executive was the source of the said rumor. In an interview with Butch Francisco and Lolit Solis on "Startalk", Joey openly challenged the writer to name the GMA-7 executive. In exchange he will give business-class tickets to him for a one-week stay in America.

Joey posed another challenge this time on his home network GMA-7. If the GMA executives invite Balares in any of the network's press conferences, he will resign in all of his shows at the Kapuso network. However, a certain person with an alias of joweedeame came out in the open thru a published letter from People's Journal. According to the website Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph) he claimed he was the source of the said rumor written by Dindo Balares. He has apologized for the mess he has made, particularly to Joey de Leon and GMA Network. During the August 9, 2008 interview on "Startalk", Joey said he has forgiven both joweedeame and Dindo Balares. He also declared that he will resume his column on Philippine Star starting on August 17.

Joke on journalists' killings

The National Press Club of the Philippines and Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (Afima), in a statement to ABS-CBN, condemned de Leon's joke during the “Ang Joke Mo” segment of "Eat Bulaga!" as both insensitive and irresponsible. De Leon joked: "Wala ‘yan sa lola ko. Ang lola ko pumapatay ng press people. (That ain’t nothing compared to my grandmother. My grandmother kills press people.)"^[2] On August 9, 2008, he apologized to journalists on “Startalk" and explained: “Ang ibig kong sabihin noon ay ‘hoy, Jimmy (Santos), huwag kang presko dahil ang lola ko pumapatay ng presko. OK. Hindi ninyo namang puwedeng sabihin na, ayan na naman si Joey nagpapalusot na naman. Hindi po. Papaano po ninyo malalaman ang iniisip ko. Yung ang ibig kong sabihin. Press people... yung ngang nagpaplansta pwedeng tawaging press people, e." NPC President Benny Antiporda replied in a text message, “It’s sarcastic."^[3]

Filmography

• Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After (2008)- Joey Escalera
• Enteng Kabisote 4 (2007)- Karimarimar
• Enteng Kabisote 3: The Legend Goes on and on and on (2006)- Shintaro Gokoyami
• Enteng Kabisote 2: The Legend Continues (2005)- Panggay
• Enteng Kabisote: Okay ka fairy ko, the legend (2004)- Mulawit
• Fantastic Man (2003)- Doc
• Pakners (2003)- Pickpocketer
• Lastikman (2002)- Elmer
• Super Idol (2001) .... Pandoy
• Wow! Multo (1997)
• Takot ako sa darling ko (1997)
• Pipti-pipti: One for you, two for me (1997)
• Ang Misis kong hoodlum (1996)
• Ang Tipo kong lalake (Maginoo pero medyo bastos) (1996)
• Run Barbi Run (1995)
• Bangers (1995)
• Pandoy, ang alalay ng panday (1993) .... Pandoy
• Alyas Batman en Robin (1993) .... Batman / Bruce
• Sam And Miguel (1992)
• Goosebuster (1991) .... Patrick Sisi
• Ali in Wonderland (1991) .... Ali
• Tangga and Chos: Beauty Secret Agents (1990) .... Ray Tangga
• I Have 3 Eggs (1990)
• Little & Big Weapon (1990)
• Kabayo kids (1990) .... Pando/Yellow Banana
• Ganda babae, gandang lalake (1990)
• Elvis and James 2 (1990)- Elvis Presto
• My Funny Valentine (1990)- Panday spoof character
• Small, Medium en Large (1990)- credited as Director
• Hotdog (1990)- Pedro
• Romeo Loves Juliet... But Their Families Hate Each Other! (1989)
• Elvis and James, the Living Legends! (1989) - Elvis Presto
• Starzan 2: The Adventure Continues (1989)- Starzan
• Long Ranger & Tonton: Shooting Stars of the West (1989)- Davie Bowie aka Long Ranger
• Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle (1989)- Starzan
• Starzan III: The Jungle Triangle (1989)- Starzan
• Barbi (1989)- Bartolome/Barbi
• SuperMouse and the Robo-Rats (1989) - Mickey
• Smith & Wesson (1988)
• Sheman: Mistress of the Universe (1988)- Pandoy
• Shoot That Ball (1987)
• Horsey, Horsey Tigidig Tigidig (1986)- Gringo
• Ready aim Fire (1986)
• Super wan, tu, tri (1986)
• Working Boys (1985)
• Ma'am May We Go Out (1985)
• Mama Said, Papa Said, I Love You (1985)
• Doctor, Doctor We Are Sick (1985)
• Ride on Baby (1985)
• Naku ha! (1984)- Billy Jean
• Goodah! (1984)
• Give Me Five (1984)- Jackson
• Mr. One-Two-Three Part 2 (1981)
• Magtoning muna tayo (1981)
• Tartan (1981)
• D'Gradweyts (1981)
• Palpak Connections (1981)
• Age Doesn't Matter (1981)
• Mr. One-Two-Three (1980)
• Iskul Bukol (Freshmen) (1980)- Joey Escalera
• Rock, Baby! Rock! (1979)- as himself
• Mang Kepweng (1979)- Tres Dwendes (with Tito and Vic)

TV shows

• Show Me Da Manny (GMA Network) guest
• Joey's Quirky World (GMA Network, March 7, 2009)
• Jungle TV (2008) GMA Network
• Slingo (2007) ABC
• Takeshi's Castle Q (2006)/GMA Network (2006-2009)
• Teka Mona (2006-2007) ABC
• Wow Maling Mali (2006) ABC
• Wow Mali(1996-2006, 2009-Present) ABC/TV5
• Startalk (2005-Present) GMA Network
• Mel and Joey (2004-present) GMA Network
• StarStruck (2003-2006) GMA Network
• Morning Girls with Kris and Korina special-guest (2003) (ABS-CBN)
• Nuts Entertainment (2003-2008) GMA Network
• Sana ay Ikaw na Nga (2002-2003) GMA Network
• Kiss Muna (2002) GMA Network
• Korek na korek ka Diyan (2001) GMA Network (with Pareng Vic)
• Mixed Nuts: Numero Unong Terrific Show (1993-1995) GMA Network
• GMA Telecine Specials (1992) GMA Network
• Rock n' Roll 2000 (1992) ABC
• TVJ on 5 (1992) ABC
• TVJ (* Si Malakas at si Maganda (1990) IBC - Special Participation
• Stay Awake (ABC-5) - with Jimmy Santos
• Let's Go Crazy (1987)- ABS-CBN Gag show (co-starring Ms. Maricel Soriano)
• Super Suwerte sa Nuwebe (1987) RPN
• Vilma on seven (GMA Network, 1986-1995)
• The Sharon Cuneta Show (1986) IBC (later transferred to ABS-CBN)
• Apple Pie, Patis, Atbp. (1986) RPN
• Joey and Son (1980) RPN
• Eat Bulaga Holy Week Drama Specials (RPN (1979-1989) /ABS-CBN (1989-1995)/GMA Network (1995-present)
• Eat Bulaga! (1979-present) TAPE-produced noontime variety show (RPN (1979-1989) /ABS-CBN (1989-1995)/GMA Network (1995-present)
• TODAS (1978-1988) IBC
• Buhok Pinoy (1977) IBC
• Friends (1977) MBS (now NBN 4)
• Iskul Bukol (1977) IBC- Joey Escalera
• C.U.T.E. (Call Us Two for Entertainment) (1977) IBC
• Student Canteen (1976) GMA Network
• Discorama (ABS-CBN 1967-1972, GMA 7 1972-1979)
• OK Lang (1975) IBC

Albums/singles

• Kagat Labi (2008)- PolyEast Records (formerly OctoArts International, Inc. & EMI Philippines)
• Joey to the World 2 (2007)- Sony BMG Music (featuring "Itaktak Mo")
• Joey to the World (2004)- Sony BMG Music
• Halukay Ube (2004)- Duet with Sexbomb Girls from the album: Bomb Thr3at (Sony BMG)
• Ispageti (2003)- Duet with Sexbomb Girls from the album: Round 2 (Sony BMG)
• Mga Pakyuuuut ni Joey de Leon (1999)- PolyEast Records (formerly OctoArts International, Inc. & EMI Philippines)
• JoeyRassic (1993)- MCA Music, Inc.
• TVJ Tough Hits series (12 albums)- Vicor Music Corp.

External links

• Joey de Leon at the Internet Movie Database

References