Joey de Leon


Joey de León is a Filipino comedian, actor, television presenter and songwriter. He hosts the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!. He is a member of the comedy trio Tito, Vic and Joey that has made several comedy movies and TV shows.

Early life

De León was the second child of José Seoane de León of Spanish Filipino descent, and Emma Manahan Ramos. His paternal grandfather was the first mayor of Malolos, Bulacan. At the age of three, his parents divorced. His father then moved to Madrid, Spain and eventually remarried. De León is known for his sarcastic style of humor.

Career

Prior to being an entertainer, de León 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. De León started his showbiz career in the 1960s as a radio disc jockey and announcer. He worked for 12 radio stations, including all seven radio stations owned by ABS-CBN Corporation as well as other broadcasters like KBS. His first big break on TV was IBC 13's gag show OK Lang.

Tito, Vic and Joey

In 1975, de León became a co-host of GMA Network's late afternoon variety show Discorama hosted by Bobby Ledesma. He invited his former co-stars at OK Lang, the Sotto brothers Tito, Vic and Val, to join him at Discorama. Only Tito and Vic accepted de León's invitation. The newly-formed trio began to do comedy newscast segments interspersed with Top 40 hit-song parodies. Originally, the trio's appearance was supposed to be a one-off invitation as Discorama was set to be axed but after getting good feedback from the viewers and ratings were high, the show was given a new lease on life by GMA management. The trio was later invited to become part of the noontime show Student Canteen as they released 12 albums based on their Discorama Tough Hits segment.
The sitcom Iskul Bukol that gave them nationwide fame as comedians. Soon after, other TV and movie offers came knocking on the trio's door.
In 1979, Tito, Vic and Joey began hosting the noontime show Eat Bulaga! which was pitted against the more established Student Canteen. Not long after, Eat Bulaga! toppled Student Canteen from the ratings. The trio is still active on both Holy Week Dramas every Lenten Season and also on comedy variety show on Eat Bulaga.

Solo artist

Although de León continued to do movies alongside his showbiz teammates Tito and Vic, he started doing solo performances for other TV shows. He top billed Joey and Son in 1982, a sitcom on RPN where he played father to a young boy named "Jeffrey Laperal" played back then by Ian Veneracion. He was also one of the gag performers on TODAS where his co-stars included Jimmy Santos and Val Sotto. Other TV shows 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. He also tried his hand at directing films like Romeo Loves Juliet and Small, Medium, Large.
De León's films include Starzan. He Leon did several TV shows for GMA Network and ABC. In 1995, he made a film comeback via the comedy Bangers for Viva Films as well as Pipti-pipti, Ang Tipo kong Lalake and Takot Ako sa Darling Ko. He 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. 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, de León returned to recording with a novelty song he wrote titled "Itaktak Mo". Seen by critics as his answer to the other wildly popular hit "Boom Tarat Tarat", "Itaktak Mo" was softly launched on Eat Bulaga! shortly before the Christmas season. In January 2007, the song was launched on de Leon's album, Joey to the World 2 and gained airplay in most FM stations. "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, de León 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 de Leon wrote it. On February 24, 2008, de Leon released a song titled "Walang Daya" with lyrics comparing his love to his rival host Willie Revillame's misfortunes. He first sang it on his own program Mel and Joey.
On July 31, 2008, de Leon tendered his irrevocable resignation as columnist for Manila Bulletin, and he is currently with The Philippine Star, and has a column, "Me, Starzan".
In late 2009, he wrote another hit Eat Bulaga! song titled "Ba Ba Boom". Then in early 2010, he wrote another song, "Aalog-Alog". He also wrote the theme song for Diz Iz It!.
In 2011, he played as Pablo Apostol, the rock-star father of George Apostol/DJ Heidee played by Sarah Geronimo in the romantic-comedy film Won't Last a Day Without You.

As a songwriter

De León wrote most of the lyrics of VST & Co. songs and some Cinderella songs. He also co-wrote "Ilagay Mo Kid" with Mike Hanopol which was performed by Hagibis. He also wrote "Ang Labo Mo" for Sharon Cuneta

Personal life

De León has five children. Two with first wife, actress Daria Ramírez: Joseph Joachim and Jacinda Myrtle, and three with his second and current wife Eileen Macapagal: Jocas Eightria, Jako Raphaelle and Jio Sebastiean. De León also has four grandchildren from his eldest daughter Cheenee and one from Keempee.

Controversies

Pepsi Paloma rape case

In 1982, the 15-year-old actress Pepsi Paloma accused De Leon and fellow comedians Vic Sotto and Richie D'Horsie of gang raping and taking photos of her on June 21 that year in a room at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. On July 31, Paloma's manager Rey dela Cruz lodged a formal complaint with Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile. On August 18, Paloma filed charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness against the three television personalities before the Quezon City fiscal's office. The crime of rape at the time, carried the death penalty in the Philippines, and to prevent his brother and his cohorts from being sent to the electric chair, Tito Sotto quickly went to see Paloma while she was still securing the services of Atty. Rene Cayetano. According to Paloma, Tito Sotto coerced her into signing an "Affidavit of Desistance" to drop the rape charges against his brother and cohorts—Tito Sotto had allegedly placed a pistol on the table in front of Paloma when he went to talk to her.
In exchange for the dismissal of the charges of rape, Vic Sotto, de Leon and D'Horsie issued a public apology towards Paloma stating:
Three years later, Paloma was found dead in an apparent suicide. Dela Cruz was murdered years later.

Depression comments

On October 5, 2017, de Leon elicited controversy from Filipino netizens and high-profile figures advocating for mental health awareness, following a remark he made about depression during the Eat Bulaga! segment "Juan for All, All for Juan", saying in part that the mental disorder is "just something made up by people" and that "they do it to themselves". He apologized the following day.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleProduction Film
2017Barbi: D' Wonder BekiBarbieOctoArts Films, APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions,
2016Enteng Kabisote 10 and the AbangersPandoyOctoArts Films, APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions, GMA Films
2015'DomGMA Films, APT Entertainment, OctoArts Films, M - Zet Productions, MEDA Productions
2013My Little BossingsSPO2 BryantOctoArts Films, APT Entertainment, M - Zet Productions, K Productions
2011Won't Last A Day Without YouPablo ApostolStar Cinema & Viva Films
2011Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!DoctorStar Cinema
2009Ang Darling Kong AswangMang KepwengOctoArts Films
2008Iskul Bukol: 20 Years AfterJoey EscaleraOctoArts Films
2007'KarimarimarM-Zet Productions
2006'Shintaro GokoyamiM-Zet Productions
2005'PanggayM-Zet Productions
2004MulawitM-Zet Productions
2003Fantastic ManDocOctoArts Films
2003PaknersPickpocketerRegal Entertainment
2003LastikmanElmerOctoArts Films
2001Super IdolPandoyNeo Films
1997Wow! MultoKuya Joe BarucMAQ Productions
1997Takot Ako sa Darling KoMarkyNeo Films
1997Pipti-pipti: One for you, two for meJackNeo Films
1996Ang Misis kong hoodlumAndyNeo Films
1996Ang Tipo kong lalake BoyNeo Films
1996Detective: Michael & JacksonRicky LashleyMovie Arts Productions
1995Run Barbi RunBartolomeGMA Films
1995BangersHipViva Films
1993Pandoy, ang alalay ng pandayPandoyMovie Arts Productions
1993Alyas Batman en RobinBatman/BruceRegal Entertainment
1992Sam and MiguelMiguelRegal Entertainment
1992The Wild CowboysJuan GomezMovie Arts Productions
1992The Return of the Long Ranger & Tonton: How the West Was WrongDavie Bowie aka Long RangerRegal Entertainment
1991GoosebusterPatrick SisiRegal Entertainment
1991Onyong MajikeroErvinOctoArts Films
1991Barbi 2: For PresidentBartolome/BarbiMovie Arts Productions
1991Ali in WonderlandFernando/AliOctoArts Films
1990My Funny ValentineMang PandoyRegal Entertainment
1990Tiny Terrestrial: The Three ProfessorsProf. Edwin PrestoRegal Entertainment
1990Little Boy Blue: Tiny TerrestrialProf. Edwin PrestoRegal Entertainment
1990Starzan 3: The Jungle TriangleStarzanRegal Entertainment
1990Tangga and Chos: Beauty Secret AgentsRay TanggaMovie Arts Productions
1990I Have 3 EggsAriongRegal Entertainment
1990Little & Big WeaponMel BigsonRegal Entertainment
1990Kabayo kidsPando/Yellow BananaRegal Entertainment
1990Ganda babae, Gandang lalakeJosephRegal Entertainment
1990Elvis and James 2Elvis PrestoViva Films
1990My Funny ValentineMang PandoyRegal Entertainment
1990Small, Medium en LargePrince/DirectorStarzan Films
1990HotdogPedroSeiko Films
1989Romeo Loves Juliet... But Their Families Hate Each Other!Romeo Sr.Starzan Films
1989Elvis and James, the Living Legends!Elvis PrestoViva Films
1989Starzan 2: The Adventure ContinuesStazanRegal Entertainment
1989Long Ranger & Tonton: Shooting Stars of the WestDavie Bowie aka Long RangerRegal Entertainment
1989Starzan: Shouting Star of the JungleStarzanRegal Entertainment
1989Si Malakas at si MagandaPolice OfficerRegal Entertainment
1989Barbi: Maid in the PhilippinesBartolome/BarbiMovie Arts Productions
1989SuperMouse and the Robo-RatsMickeyRegal Entertainment
1988Wake Up Little SusieAlexanderRegal Entertainment
1988Smith & WessonJames SmithViva Films
1988Sheman: Mistress of the UniversePando/She-ManViva Films
1988Good Morning, TitserPriestSeiko Films
1987Ready aim FireHaglerRegal Entertainment
1987Shoot That BallTinggoyRegal Entertainment
1987Forward MarchDodongRegal Entertainment
1987The Best of Iskul Bukol: The MovieJoey EscaleraRegal Entertainment
1986Horsey, Horsey Tigidig TigidigGringoRegal Entertainment
1986Send in The ClownsJojoRegal Entertainment
1986Super wan, tu, triBaltazarRegal Entertainment
1986Fly Me To The MoonJackoRegal Entertainment
1985Working BoysErnieViva Films
1985Ma'am May We Go OutJeff SorianoViva Films
1985Mama Said, Papa Said, I Love YouBoyRegal Entertainment
1985Doctor, Doctor We Are SickRobinViva Films
1985Ride on BabyJohnSeiko Films
1985I Have Three HandsCaloyRegal Entertainment
1984Naku ha!Billy JeanSeiko Films
1984Pepe en PilarPepperRegal Entertainment
1984Give Me FiveJacksonRegal Entertainment
1984Goodah!OwenSeiko Films
1983My Darling PrincessJoakimRegal Entertainment
1983M.I.B.: Men In BriefEugene WilliamsLea Productions
1982Ang Tapang Para sa Lahat!RaphaelLea Productions
1982Tatlo Silang Tatay KoBronzon'D Wonder Films
1982Si Ako at... tres muskiteros!Ariong MuskiteroGP Films
1981Mr. One-Two-Three Part 2RickyGP Films
1981Magtoning muna tayoRene SorianoGP Films
1981TartanDannyGP Films
1981D'GradweytsJomariGP Films
1981Bilibid GaysDariaRegal Entertainment
1981Palpak ConnectionsKatchRegal Entertainment
1981Age Doesn't MatterJohnnyRegal Entertainment
1980Mr. One-Two-ThreeRickyRegal Entertainment
1980Iskul Bukol Joey EscaleraGP Films
1979Rock, Baby! Rock!himselfLea Productions
1979Swing It... Baby!JoeyLea Productions
1979Mang KepwengTres DwendesGP Films

Television

Albums/songs

YearAward-Giving BodyCategoryWork/NomineeResult
200014th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionAding Fernando Lifetime Achievement AwardTito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon
200838th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment AwardsMost Popular Novelty SingerItaktak Mo!
200821st Awit AwardsBest Novelty RecordingItaktak Mo!
200923rd PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Comedy ActorNuts Entertainment
200923rd PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Magazine Show Host Mel and Joey
200923rd PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Male Showbiz Oriented Talk Show HostStartalk
201024th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Male TV HostEat Bulaga!
2010Eastwood City Walk of FameWalk of Fame Star InducteeHimself
2011Golden Screen TV AwardsOutstanding Male Host in a Musical or Variety ProgramEat Bulaga!
2014PEP List AwardsPepsi' Choice: Male Showbiz Treasure of the YearHimself
201563rd FAMAS AwardsFAMAS Lifetime Achievement AwardTito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon