Joey de Leon

Jose Maria "Joey" Ramos de Leon Jr. (born October 14, 1946), also known as Henyo Master, is a Filipino comedian, actor, television host and songwriter. He is one of the members of the comedy trio, collectively known as TVJ with the Sotto brothers, Tito and Vic.

Aside from being one of the pioneer hosts of Eat Bulaga!, de Leon is also the creator of the said noontime variety show as recognized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), and the co-founder of the show's production company, TVJ Productions.

Early life De Leon was the second child of Jose Seoane de Leon (1918–2008) of Spanish Filipino descent, and Emma Manahan Ramos (1925–2019). His paternal grandfather was the first mayor of Malolos, Bulacan. When he was three years old, his parents divorced. His father then moved to Madrid, Spain and eventually remarried.

Career

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. De Leon 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 (including DZMM) as well as other broadcasters like KBS whose had acquiring several broadcasting facilities and channel frequencies formerly used by de Leon's first employers ABS-CBN, such as Channel 9. His first big break on TV was IBC 13's gag show OK Lang.

Tito, Vic and Joey In 1975, de Leon 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 Leon'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 high ratings, 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 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 Leon 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 Leon's films include Starzan. De 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 Leon returned to recording with a novelty song he wrote titled "Itaktak Mo" ("Shake It Off"). Seen by critics as his answer to the other wildly popular hit "Boom Tarat Tarat" (written by Lito Camo and sung by de Leon's rival host Willie Revillame), "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 Leon 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" ("No Cheating") with lyrics comparing his love to his rival host Willie Revillame's misfortunes (Wilyonaryo, Ferrari and Ultra stampede). He first sang it on his own program Mel and Joey.

On July 31, 2008, de Leon tendered his irrevocable resignation as columnist ("De Leon's Den") for Manila Bulletin, and he is currently with The Philippine Star, and has a column, "Me, Starzan".

In late 2009, de Leon 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 Leon 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.

Controversies Pepsi Paloma gang rape case

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, 1982, 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, 1982, 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 attorney 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.

Depression and self-harm 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 GMA's 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.

On September 23, 2023, de Leon sparked another controversy in TV5's E. A. T. segment "Gimme 5", where he suggested that a rope is one of the most common objects placed on a person's neck, which was widely interpreted by audiences as a reference to suicide by hanging. De Leon's remark was harshly criticised on social media as insensitive, resulting in calls for MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto – daughter of fellow E.A.T. host Tito Sotto – to investigate on the matter. The management of E.A.T. issued an apology, saying they are "regretful and apologetic to those who were offended by the said utterance".

Filmography Film

Year Title Role 1979 Mang Kepweng Tres Dwendes Swing It... Baby! Joey Rock, Baby! Rock! himself 1980 Iskul Bukol (Freshmen) Joey Escalera Mr. One-Two-Three Ricky 1981 Age Doesn't Matter Johnny Palpak Connections Katch Bilibid Gays Daria D'Gradweyts Jomari Tartan Danny Magtoning Muna Tayo Rene Soriano Mr. One-Two-Three Part 2 Ricky 1982 Si Ako at... Tres Muskiteros! Ariong Muskitero Tatlo Silang Tatay Ko Bronzon Ang Tapang Para sa Lahat! Raphael 1983 M.I.B.: Men in Brief Eugene Williams My Darling Princess Joakim 1984 Goodah! Owen Give Me Five Jackson Pepe en Pilar Pepper Naku Ha! Billy Jean 1985 I Have Three Hands Carlos "Caloy" Agatep Ride on Baby John Doctor, Doctor We Are Sick Robin Mama Said, Papa Said, I Love You Boy Ma'am May We Go Out? Jeff Soriano Working Boys Ernie Super Wan, Tu, Tri Baltazar 1986 Send in the Clowns Jojo Horsey-Horsey, Tigidig-Tigidig Gringo 1987 The Best of Iskul Bukol: The Movie Joey Escalera Forward March Dodong Shoot That Ball Tinggoy Ready!.. Aim!.. Fire!.. Hagler 1988 Fly Me to the Moon Jacko Wake Up Little Susie Alexander Sheman: Mistress of the Universe Pando/She-Man Good Morning, Titser Priest I Love You 3x a Day Fairy godmother Smith & Wesson James Smith 1989 Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle Starzan Barbi: Maid in the Philippines Bartolome/Barbi Si Malakas at si Maganda Police Officer Long Ranger & Tonton: Shooting Stars of the West Davie Bowie aka Long Ranger Starzan II: The Coming of the Star Son Stazan Elvis and James: The Living Legends! (Buhay Pa... Mukhang Alamat Na!) Elvis Presto SuperMouse and the Robo-Rats Mickey Romeo Loves Juliet... But Their Families Hate Each Other! Romeo Sr. 1990 Hotdog Pedro Small, Medium, Large Prince/Director My Funny Valentine Mang Pandoy Elvis and James 2 Elvis Presto Ganda Babae, Gandang Lalake Joseph Kabayo Kids Pando/Yellow Banana Little & Big Weapon Mel Bigson I Have 3 Eggs Ariong Tangga and Chos: Beauty Secret Agents Ray Tangga Starzan III: The Jungle Triangle Starzan Little Boy Blue: Tiny Terrestrial Prof. Edwin Presto Tiny Terrestrial: The Three Professors Prof. Edwin Presto 1991 Ali in Wonderland Fernando/Ali Barbi 2: For President Bartolome/Barbi del Rosario Onyong Majikero Ervin Goosebuster Patrick Sisi 1992 The Return of the Long Ranger & Tonton: How the West Was Wrong Davie Bowie a.k.a. Long Ranger The Wild Cowboys Juan Gomez Sam and Miguel Miguel 1993 Alyas Batman en Robin Batman/Bruce Pandoy, ang Alalay ng Panday Pandoy 1995 Bangers Hip Run Barbi Run Bartolome 1996 Detective: Michael & Jackson Ricky Lashley Ang Tipo kong Lalake (Maginoo Pero Medyo Bastos) Boy Ang Misis kong Hoodlum Andy 1997 Pipti-pipti: One for You, Two for Me Jack Takot Ako sa Darling Ko Santi Wow! Multo Kuya Joe Baruc 2001 Super Idol Pandoy 2003 Lastikman Elmer Pakners Pickpocketer Fantastic Man Doc 2004 Enteng Kabisote: OK Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend Mulawit 2005 Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend Continues! Panggay 2006 Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes On and On and On Shintaro Gokoyami 2007 Enteng Kabisote 4: Okay Ka Fairy Ko...The Beginning of the Legend Karimarimar 2008 Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After Joey Escalera 2009 Ang Darling Kong Aswang Mang Kepweng 2011 Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! Doctor Won't Last a Day Without You Pablo Apostol 2013 My Little Bossings SPO2 Bryant 2015 My Bebe Love: KiligPaMore Dom 2016 Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers Pandoy 2017 Barbi: D' Wonder Beki Barbie 2022 My Teacher Solomon

Television Year Show Role 1975–1976 OK Lang Himself/Host 1975–1979 Discorama Himself/Co-host 1976–1979 Student Canteen 1978–1988 Iskul Bukol Joey Escalera 1980–1988 T.O.D.A.S.: Television's Outrageously Delightful All-Star Show Himself/Host 1979–present Eat Bulaga! 1982 Joey and Son Joey 1988–1997 The Sharon Cuneta Show Himself/Co-host 1990 TVJ (TeleVision's Jesters) Various 1992 TVJ on 5 Rock n' Roll 2000 Teodoro Enriquez 1994–1997 Mixed Nuts: Numero Unong Terrific Show Himself/Host 1996–20062009–2010 Wow Mali 1998–2004 ASAP 1999 Beh Bote Nga Tio Pot 1999–2000 Back to Iskul Bukol Josemari "Joey" Escalera 2001 S Files Guest Host 2001 Korek na Korek Ka Diyan Himself/Host 2002 Kiss Muna 2002–2003 Sana ay Ikaw na Nga Dr. Ricardo Peron 2003–2008 Nuts Entertainment Himself/Host 2003–2004 SOP Rules Himself/Guest co-host 2003–20062015 StarStruck Himself/Judge 2004–2015 Startalk Himself/Host 2004–2011 Mel and Joey 2005-2006 Wow Maling Mali! 2005 Magpakailanman Himself/Guest 2006–2007 Teka Mona!Himself/Host 20062006–2009 Takeshi's Castle 2007 Slingo 2008 Jungle TV 2009 Joey's Quirky World Suwerteng-Suwerte sa Siyete: Spin It! Win It! 2010–2011 Wow! Meganon?! House or Not Himself/Host (as Don Joey) 2010 Suwerteng-Suwerte sa Siyete: Press It! Win It! Himself/Host 2011 Mind Master Big Shot Jackpot Suwerteng-Suwerte sa Siyete: Win Mo, Kapuso! Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break Himself/Judge 2011–2012 Celebrity Samurai Himself/Host 2012 The Biggest Game Show in the World - Asia 2012–2013 Game 'N Go 2012 Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break Himself/Judge 2012 Dolphy Alay Tawa Himself/Guest 2013 Hayop sa Galing Himself/Host 2013–2014 Sunday All Stars Himself/Judge 2013–2015 Wow Mali Pa Rin! Himself/Host 2014 Hakbang Sa Pangarap: Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special 2014 Abe One of the Boys DJ 2015 Wow Mali: Lakas ng Tama Himself/Host Pinagpalang Ama: Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special 2015 Papsy 2015–2016 CelebriTV Himself/Host 2016 Dalangin ng Ama: Eat Bulaga Lenten Special Omar 2017 Kaibigan: Eat Bulaga Lenten Special Jeff 2022–present Oh No! It's B.O. (Biro Only)! Himself/Host

As voice actor +YearTitleRoleNotesSource 2012Ben 10: Destroy All AliensMax TennysonFilipino dub

Albums/songs discography TVJ Tough Hits series (12 albums) (Vicor Music Corp.) 1990: Joey de Leon Tough Hits 1990 (OctoArts International, now PolyEast Records) 1993: JoeyRassic (MCA Music) 1999: Mga Pakyuuuut ni Joey de Leon (OctoArts-EMI Music, now PolyEast Records) 2003: "Spageti Song" (duet with Sexbomb Girls from the album Round 2) (Sony BMG) 2004: "Halukay Ube" (duet with Sexbomb Girls from the album Bomb Thr3at) (Sony BMG) 2004: Joey to the World (Sony BMG Music) 2007: Joey to the World 2 (Sony BMG Music) (featuring "Itaktak Mo") 2008: Kagat Labi (EMI Philippines, now PolyEast Records)

Awards

Year Award-Giving Body Category Work/Nominee Result 2008 38th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Most Popular Novelty Singer Itaktak Mo! 2009 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Nuts Entertainment Best Magazine Show Host (with Mel Tiangco) Mel and Joey Best Male Showbiz Oriented Talk Show Host Startalk 2010 24th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Male TV Host Eat Bulaga! Eastwood City Walk of Fame Walk of Fame Star Inductee Himself 2011 Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Male Host in a Musical or Variety Program Eat Bulaga! 2014 PEP List Awards Pepsi' Choice: Male Showbiz Treasure of the Year Himself 2015 63rd FAMAS Awards FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon