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Jose Maria Ramos de Leon Jr. (born October 14, 1946), professionally known as Joey de Leon, is a Filipino comedian, actor, television presenter and songwriter. He hosts the noontime
variety show Variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a co ...
''
Eat Bulaga! ''Eat Bulaga!'' (), formerly ''Eat... Bulaga!'', is a noontime Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Produced by TAPE Inc., it is the longest running variety show in the Philippines with over 13,000 episodes. Originally ...
'' He is a member of the comedy trio
Tito Tito may refer to: People Mononyms *Josip Broz Tito (1892–1980), commonly known mononymously as Tito, Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman *Roberto Arias (1918–1989), aka Tito, Panamanian international lawyer, diplomat, and journal ...
, Vic and Joey that has made several comedy movies and TV shows.


Early life

De Leon was the second child of Jose Seoane de Leon (1918–2008) of
Spanish Filipino Spanish Filipinos ( es, español filipino / hispano filipino / castellano filipino; cbk, español filipino / hispano filipino / conio; Filipino/ tl, Kastilà / Espanyól / Tisoy / Konyo; ceb, Katsílà / Ispaniyul; hil, Katsílà / Espany� ...
descent, and Emma Manahan Ramos (1925–2019). His paternal grandfather was the first mayor of
Malolos, Bulacan Malolos, officially the City of Malolos ( fil, Lungsod ng Malolos), is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 261,189 people. It is the capital city ...
. When he was three years old, his parents divorced. His father then moved to
Madrid, Spain Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), and ...
and eventually remarried.


Career

Prior to being an entertainer, de Leon earned his architecture degree from the
National University A national university is mainly a university created or managed by a government, but which may also at the same time operate autonomously without direct control by the state. Some national universities are associated with national cultural or po ...
in
Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populated ...
. He was also a
disc jockey A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. Types of DJs include radio DJs (who host programs on music radio stations), club DJs (who work at a nightclub or music festival), mobil ...
for 12 radio stations when he was starting out. De Leon started his showbiz career in the 1960s as a radio
disc jockey A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. Types of DJs include radio DJs (who host programs on music radio stations), club DJs (who work at a nightclub or music festival), mobil ...
and announcer. He worked for 12 radio stations, including all seven radio stations owned by
ABS-CBN Corporation ABS-CBN Corporation is a Filipino media company based in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is the largest entertainment and media conglomerate in the Philippines. It is a subsidiary of Lopez Holdings Corporation which is owned b ...
as well as other broadcasters like KBS. His first big break on TV was
IBC 13 Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) is a Philippine state broadcaster owned by the Government Communications Group under the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS). The IBC, along with sister media companies People's Television N ...
's gag show ''OK Lang''.


Tito, Vic and Joey

In 1975, de Leon became a co-host of
GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...
's late afternoon variety show ''Discorama'' hosted by Bobby Ledesma. He invited his former co-stars at ''OK Lang'', the Sotto brothers
Tito Tito may refer to: People Mononyms *Josip Broz Tito (1892–1980), commonly known mononymously as Tito, Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman *Roberto Arias (1918–1989), aka Tito, Panamanian international lawyer, diplomat, and journal ...
, Vic and
Val Val may refer to: Val-a Film * ''Val'' (film), an American documentary about Val Kilmer, directed by Leo Scott and Ting Poo Military equipment * Aichi D3A, a Japanese World War II dive bomber codenamed "Val" by the Allies * AS Val, a Sov ...
, 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 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 ''Student Canteen'' is a Philippine television variety show regarded as the first afternoon variety show on Philippine television. Over a 32-year period, it was broadcast through three different networks: ABS-CBN (1958 to 1965), GMA Network ...
'' as they released 12 albums based on their ''Discorama Tough Hits'' segment. The
sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...
'' 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! ''Eat Bulaga!'' (), formerly ''Eat... Bulaga!'', is a noontime Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Produced by TAPE Inc., it is the longest running variety show in the Philippines with over 13,000 episodes. Originally ...
'', 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 GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...
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! ''Eat Bulaga!'' (), formerly ''Eat... Bulaga!'', is a noontime Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Produced by TAPE Inc., it is the longest running variety show in the Philippines with over 13,000 episodes. Originally ...
'' 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 ''Wow Mali'' () is the longest-running, multi-awarded and top-rated gag show in the Philippines which was aired on TV5 from May 25, 1996, to August 2, 2008, and from February 22, 2009, to June 28, 2015, originally hosted by Joey de Leon. it i ...
'', 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 The ''Manila Bulletin'' (), (also known as the ''Bulletin'' and previously known as the ''Manila Daily Bulletin'' from 1906 to September 23, 1972, and the ''Bulletin Today'' from November 22, 1972, to March 10, 1986) is the Philippines' larges ...
''. In December 2006, de Leon returned to recording with a
novelty song A novelty song is a type of song built upon some form of novel concept, such as a gimmick, a piece of humor, or a sample of popular culture. Novelty songs partially overlap with comedy songs, which are more explicitly based on humor, and wit ...
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 Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year ...
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 The ''Manila Bulletin'' (), (also known as the ''Bulletin'' and previously known as the ''Manila Daily Bulletin'' from 1906 to September 23, 1972, and the ''Bulletin Today'' from November 22, 1972, to March 10, 1986) is the Philippines' larges ...
'', 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 Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo-Guidicelli (, , born July 25, 1988) is a Filipino singer, performer and actress. Geronimo rose to prominence after winning the television singing contest '' Star for a Night'' earning her a recording contract with Viv ...
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 "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...
songs. He also co-wrote "Ilagay Mo Kid" with
Mike Hanopol Michael Abarico Hanopol (born April 10, 1946), also known as Mike Hanopol, is a Filipino rockLosorata, YugelMike Hanopol's lyrics of praise.(Entertainment)''Manila Bulletin'', Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp., March 28, 2005
which was performed by Hagibis. He also wrote "Ang Labo Mo" for Sharon Cuneta.


Personal life

De Leon has five children. Two with first wife, actress Daria Ramirez: Joseph Joachim (" Keempee") and Jacinda Myrtle ("Cheenee"), and three with his second and current wife Eileen Macapagal: Jocas Eightria, Jako Raphaelle and Jio Sebastiean. De Leon also has a total of six grandchildren. Four from his eldest daughter Cheenee, one from Keempee, and one from Jako.


Controversies


Pepsi Paloma gang rape case

15-year old actress Pepsi Paloma accused de Leon and fellow comedians
Vic Sotto Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto (; born April 28, 1954), professionally known as Vic Sotto, is a Filipino actor, singer and comedian known far and wide for his various television and film projects on the major Philippine television networks GMA ...
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 Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
. On July 31, Paloma's manager Rey dela Cruz lodged a formal complaint with Defense Minister
Juan Ponce Enrile Juan Valentin Furagganan Ponce Enrile Sr., (born Juanito Furagganan; February 14, 1924), also referred to by his initials JPE, or Manong Johnny, is a Filipino politician and lawyer known for his role in the administration of Philippine dicta ...
. 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 Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the state-sanctioned practice of deliberately killing a person as a punishment for an actual or supposed crime, usually following an authorized, rule-governed process to conclude that ...
in the Philippines, and to prevent his brother and his cohorts from being sent to the
electric chair An electric chair is a device used to execute an individual by electrocution. When used, the condemned person is strapped to a specially built wooden chair and electrocuted through electrodes fastened on the head and leg. This execution method, ...
,
Tito Sotto Vicente Castelo Sotto III (; born August 24, 1948), professionally known as Tito Sotto, is a Filipino politician, entertainer and athlete who served as Senate President from 2018 to 2022. Before that, had two stints each as Senate Majority Le ...
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.


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


Television


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


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:De Leon, Joey 1946 births Living people ABS-CBN personalities Arellano University alumni De La Salle University alumni Filipino male comedians 20th-century Filipino male singers Filipino songwriters Filipino people of Spanish descent Filipino television talk show hosts Filipino television variety show hosts GMA Network personalities Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation personalities Male actors from Bulacan Manila Bulletin people National University (Philippines) alumni The Philippine Star people Radio Philippines Network personalities Singers from Bulacan