Jo Koy goes back to the Philippines in ‘Jo Koy: In His Elements’

Los Angeles — Joseph Glenn Herbert, more popularly known as Jo Koy, has just fulfilled one of his dreams today.

The top Filipino-American comedian has always dreamt of going back to his roots, performing there and bringing his Filipino-American friend-comedians to also perform and discover their parents’ motherland.

Jo Koy, who just turned 49 last June 2, confessed that “I never knew I love the Philippines that much until I came back to the Philippines.”

Photo courtesy of Netflix

“I miss everything!” He admitted. “I suddenly got flashbacks, which I didn’t realize I had because I was so far removed from the Philippines. I never realized I love the Philippines a lot!”

Jo Koy, who started his career in a Las Vegas coffee house, credits his Filipino mom, Josie Harrison from Quezon City, for encouraging and inspiring him.

“My mom is always the life of the party,” he shared. “She has such a big personality she can’t hide it. Growing up, my mom was part of an association in Washington. There was no social media then, no Facebook. And she would ask anybody who looks Filipino, ‘Are you Filipino?’ And if they are, she would organize a get-together. Just imagine in the ‘80s and finding Filipino friends, and having a get-together, and having a potluck. For entertainment, they made their kids perform. Definitely, my mom was a big part of my career.”

In his third Netflix special, “Jo Koy: In His Elements,” he brings some of his Fil-Am comedian friends like Andrew Lopez and Joey Guila to the Philippines. He had them eat chicken adobo and go to a turo-turo. He had them try riding a jeepney and go to a wet market and eat with their hands.

“I live and breathe the Filipino blood!” Jo Koy, who is half-Filipino, half-American, exclaimed and beamed proudly.

Below are excerpts of our interview with the talented comedian:

I want to know why was it important for you to do this in the Philippines and embrace your culture. When was the last time you went back to the Philippines?

The last time I was in the Philippines was two years ago after “Jo Koy: Live from Seattle” dropped. The response was beautiful.

The reason I did this was because Netflix offered me to do a third special. I could have shot another one-hour special but I have always wanted to do a show in the Philippines.

When I was growing up in 1981, I have always struggled with my identity. I am half white, half Filipino. I struggled with my identity. I have green eyes. My friends would ask me, what are you? When I answered, I am Filipino. What is Filipino? What kind of food do you eat? They are aware of Thai food, Chinese food but not Filipino food. I want to showcase our culture and our food. I want to share our beautiful culture to the whole world to see. I want them to know about chicken adobo. I want America to try our adobo. If they do, I have won. I want to show them that this is what a jeepney looks like. I want them to know that Filipinos are a talented group of people. They do comedy. They dance. They sing. They speak English. I want to open a door to the next Filipino guy.

Your show really proved and showed that. So when you went to the Philippines, what did you realize you missed the most about the Philippines?

What I missed the most about the Philippines? I was 4, 5 or 6 years old, I think I was 11 when I left the country. So I lived there for about 6 years. Literally, I was having flashbacks when I went to the Philippines that I thought I never had because I was so far removed from the Philippines.

Then when I arrived there I realized holy shit, I love the Philippines. I never realized I love it a lot. I remember going to the sari-sari store and drinking Sarsi from a plastic bag. I remember wearing flip flops and living with my aunts and uncles. I remember riding the jeepney and growing up with all my cousins. That’s what built me. That’s my life. That’s where I got my comedy from. It was nice to see all that again and how far it has evolved.

You brought your son to the Philippines. What was his reaction?

It was just amazing to walk him onstage. The Philippines is so dear to my heart that I wanted to do it ever since I was a child. I finally got it done. It was a dream of mine. And I am very proud of it. That dream of mine that came true.

I used to watch “Eat Bulaga” with Tito, Vic and Joey. And I brought back that style of entertainment with the dancers and singers. I put it on the stage for 80 countries to see it. I share all that with my son.

You have always used your son or your mom as part of your comedy. Have they watched your show already and what are their reactions?

No one knows about it yet. They will see it on June 12. I was in the editing base of Netflix which is right on Sunset, cutting it up, editing it and doing my best. It will shine a beautiful light on our culture and show the footage that we had. I want to be in the room when they watch it. We will watch it together.

I met your mom in New York and she is very funny. Did you get your comedic side from her?

Without a doubt! Filipinos are a very entertaining people. I am sure you have an aunt or a cousin who sings or is very funny. One thing is real – Filipino talent is a hidden talent. It has been proven in our family. I have a sister who can sing her butt off. My mom is always the life of the party. She has such a big personality she can’t hide it. Growing up, my mom was part of an association in Washington. There was no social media then, no Facebook. And she would ask anybody who looks Filipino, ‘Are you Filipino?’ And if they are, she would organize a get-together. Just imagine in the ‘80s and finding Filipino friends and have a get-together, have a potluck. For entertainment, they made their kids perform. Definitely, my mom was a big part of my career.

You mentioned in your show that you did not have any Filipino idols, no comedians to look up to. But there was Manny Pacquiao.

What I was trying to say is that there are Filipino talents like Rob Schneider, Tia Carrera and Lou Diamond Phillips. They were at the forefront as far as Hollywood is concerned. So we always looked for Filipinos on mainstream or anybody who is half Filipino.

But Manny Pacquiao is the first Filipino I saw on mainstream. He had a Filipino flag. He had a bandana. And he had Filipino people on his back. I was at work with Latinos, Asians and Black people and they all knew who Manny Pacquiao is. It was amazing. I was so proud being part of that conversation. They say, ‘Are you Filipino just like Manny Pacquiao?’ It was actually a special fight because it was the night before my Tonight show. He was fighting Antonio Barrera. That’s why on that show night, I wore a Philippine flag on my chest. Anyone knew who Manny Pacquiao is. Yeah I met him. I follow him on Instagram. It is a beautiful thing that we are all doing. We are doing it together, creating awareness of our culture.

You also had a birthday recently. How did you celebrate your birthday during this time of pandemic and self-isolation?

Sad but also fun because I was getting used to being on the road every weekend. I had very limited time with the family because I was always on the road. But now I have one year with my son, with my family, not doing anything. I am home. It was bitter sweet but extra happy since I am with the people I love.

Why was it important to you to bring and highlight Filipino-American talents in the Philippines?

I have to answer this in two-fold, if you don’t mind. First and foremost, when I presented to Netflix the “Live from Seattle” show, Netflix turned it down 4 or 5 times. I almost gave up when I got a final “No” from them and it was passed on completely.

So I financed the “Live from Seattle” show myself. I maybe smiling and laughing on the show but I was very concerned. I was broke. I had no one to sell the show. I had no money left. It was very hard to get into Netflix. Then finally they said yes to the show. It was a beautiful day. This conversation with you would have never happened. And now we are on our third special with Netflix, our third one. It is so hard to get into Netflix. They really make me work hard.

Secondly, I brought these Fil-Am talents to the Philippines because I felt that they need to see where their parents came from. One guy was from Iowa and he has been to the Philippines. It was a culture shock. It is hard to get into Netflix as a Filipino. But then when they were in the Philippines, they saw how beautiful the Filipino people were, that they laughed at English jokes. So it was important to showcase other Filipino-American talents.

Looking back, you started your career in a café in Las Vegas. Did you ever imagine this happening to your career?

Yes, 100 percent. Not at this level, though. All of this is a bonus. I used to lay down on my bed and I used to envision all this — Manila and everything else all the time. I had that inside motivation. I knew it would happen. I just need to do it.

If your son decided to follow your footsteps, what kind of advice would you give him?

I would say, “It is a long, long road.” Probably he would not have a hard travel like mine because mine is a lot harder. But he is damn funny and talented. He can act; he makes music; he is very funny; his comedic timing is perfect. His dad has a built-in audience. He has to write.

What would you tell the Philippines about the real Jo Koy? Who is the real Jo Koy?

Jo Koy is just a proud Filipino. He is half Filipino, half white. No one brought me up more than Filipinos. My mom’s family. Even my Aunt Evelyn named me “Jo Ko” and I used “Jo Koy.” So she named me. I live and breathe Filipino blood. I am so excited for other people to try the Filipino dishes at their homes. I know I will always put the Philippines on my shoulder. — LA, GMA News