"It's been nothing but good times. I keep saying this every time, but I'm plugged in... It feels good to know that I'm surrounded by my people. Instead of trying to find someone who shares my culture, I'm in my own Mecca. You know what I mean? Being here just feels good," Filipino-American stand-up comedian Jo Koy tells us when asked how his vacation in the Philippines is going. His skin has that rosy glow from his recent trip to Boracay and he's obviously still upbeat after a guest spot on Showtime just before this shoot.
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You know he's not just trying to flatter you when he says he's thrilled to be back home because you can genuinely see it in his demeanor. At The Westin Manila, he cheerfully hugs and high-fives those welcoming him in the lobby. He banters with everyone in the elevator and enjoys the refreshments together with the Esquire Philippines crew.
Jo Koy says this recent trip to the Philippines was initially intended to be just a family vacation. "My son is here. So we're sharing this experience together," he says. But understandably, he also wanted to make the most of his trip to the Philippines, so he decided to include other activities in his schedule, including interviews and appearances to promote his "Jo Koy: Just Being Koy Tour," which happens on June 21, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. He also squeezed in a few charitable activities; watching the tournament of an all-girl Fil-Am basketball team that he supports; and a shoot in Palawan for the Hollywod movie The Last Resort.
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PHOTO: Paul Sugano
Looking back at his beginnings—from performing in a Las Vegas coffee house to becoming a globally recognized and successful comedian—Jo Koy's career growth has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. "Can you believe it's been 36 years? I started when I was 18, and here we are now," he reflects. If you've been following his career, you know what the guy is talking about.
Jo Koy consistently sells out large venues worldwide, demonstrating his ability to connect with diverse audiences globally. He has broken records for the most tickets sold by a single artist at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, selling 23,000 tickets across 11 sold-out shows. The mayor's office in Honolulu even declared November 24th as "Jo Koy Day" in his honor. He was also the first comedian to sell out six shows at the Warfield in San Francisco and set attendance records at the Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg with four sold-out shows.
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In addition, he has sold out five consecutive shows at the San Diego Civic Theatre, the most for a comedian. He also holds the record for selling over 17,000 tickets across more than 30 shows in a single year at the Brea Improv. In February 2024, he became the first comedian to sell out the Kia Forum in Los Angeles six times. Â
His Netflix comedy specials Jo Koy: Live from Seattle, Jo Koy: Comin' In Hot, and Jo Koy: In His Elements, have garnered significant praise and increased his global fanbase. These specials have broadened his audience and showcased his unique storytelling, often drawing from his Filipino heritage and family experiences. He has received prestigious awards, like "Stand-Up Comedian of the Year" at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.
Paul Sugano
While Jo Koy is primarily known for his stand-up comedy, he has been making strides in the movie industry, showcasing his talents as an actor, writer, and producer. He played the lead role in Easter Sunday (2022), the first major studio film to feature a predominantly Filipino cast. He has lent his voice to several animated projects, which include The Monkey King (2023), Leo (2023), The Tiger's Apprentice (2024), and Hailey's On It! (TV Series, 2024). He has also appeared in supporting roles in movies such as Haunted Mansion (2023), Anastasia: Once Upon a Time (2020), Wake (2018), and Virginia (2005). In 2024, he hosted the Golden Globe Awards in Hollywood, which drew largely unfavorable reviews but hardly made a dent in his career. He was on the road again a week after the broadcast, performing to sold-out venues across the U.S. and other parts of the world.
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What's next for Jo Koy? Apparently, the guy has more tricks up his sleeves. "I'm shooting another Netflix special, and this is the new hour. So whatever you saw in the past, that's not it. There's a whole new hour, and I'm also bringing a couple of friends. I'm not going to tell you who, but they're going to go on stage. So I strongly suggest you make it," he says.
For this month's What I've Learned, Jo Koy reflects on his 36-year journey in stand-up comedy, his deep connection to his Filipino heritage, the long and sometimes bumpy road to success, and his commitment to shining a light on other Filipino talent.
Paul Sugano
I first got on stage in the summer of 1989. So I've been doing stand-up for 36 years. I started when I was 18, and here we are now. To dream that this is actually happening is nuts. I never would have thought in a million years that I would be performing in my mom's home country. It's crazy.
The older you get, the more you just want to speak your truth. It just feels good to be able to tell your own story. I love saying these stories because they're dear to my heart. And on top of that, people laugh. And that's important to me.
It's not about keeping [your material] fresh. What happens is my son does something and then I talk about it. It's that easy. It literally goes from the house to the stage. It goes from my culture to the stage. Whatever is personal to me, it's going to get on stage. That's how it goes.
Paul Sugano
I'm this close to having an empty nest. My son is a man now. He's grown. I went from raising my son to having him as my best friend, on the road, taking care of me and watching my back. I love that. That's where we're at right now. That's the kind of stuff I'm talking about now.
I talk about my life, and that's the part I love the most. It's my way of saying I'm Filipino without explicitly saying I'm Filipino. When I do an impersonation of my mom, that's literally how I was raised. That's exactly how she sounds and how she talks to me, and it's how she raised me. If that's how your mom raised you, then that's great. It's fun to see people who aren't Filipino relate to it.
I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for my mom. I was telling my sister, Gemma, when we did that charity work for R. Alunan Elementary School: literally, they made every kid perform for us. I immediately remembered that's what my mom used to do to me. Like, with zero talent, I'd be up there just trying to dance and sing for some reason. I didn't know why she was making me do it, but I did it. The difference is that these kids at the elementary school had a lot of talent. They had dancers and singers. But it was just this beautiful moment of me reflecting on my life and seeing it play out in real time before my eyes. I was looking at these kids and thinking, yep, that's what being Filipino is right there. And I loved it.
Paul Sugano
Comedy is comedy. You have a hand and you have a remote control. You can press skip if it bothers you. But I'm going to continue to tell my truth and what's funny to me. And the beautiful thing is a lot of people identify with that.
The cool thing about Filipinos—and I know I'm being biased about this—is that we just get our jokes. There's no need for explanation, no need to reveal the hidden meanings. Bacolod is the City of Smiles, and that holds true for every city in the Philippines. Anywhere you go, you see people smiling. I think we're talented. There's a level of confidence. We may not have much materially, but what we have inside is a lot. And you can see it. You see confidence. I don't want to point it out directly, but if you Google it, you can see just how in touch we are with entertainment alone. It's pretty amazing. So, it's a blessing.
I live and breathe comedy. You're talking about a guy who went to see Eddie Murphy live at the age of 15. I was 18 when I watched George Carlin on stage. That's not typical for a teenager. When I was a kid living in the Philippines, I was watching Tito, Vic, and Joey. I didn't even understand Tagalog, but I was watching it and was just in love with it. I love physical comedy. I enjoy anything that has to do with making people laugh. I think it's because of my surroundings. When you don't have a lot to give, and all you have is laughter, then you give a lot of that.
Paul Sugano
I knew it was going to be a journey. I was aware there would be a long road ahead of me. I pursued it and loved it. Yes, there are obstacles you have to face, but that's fine because they only make you better.
If you're going to ask me where I've performed, I say everywhere. I got footage...Malls, parking lots, coffee houses. It takes a long time to get somewhere. A lot of bumps in the road. That's fine. It'll get smooth, then bumpy again, and then smooth again. So, just enjoy the ride. It's a long road. So, enjoy the journey.
No matter how bright the light is on you, there's enough light for everybody. That's why I'm proud of projects like Here Lies Love, Easter Sunday, Nurse Unseen, and In His Elements. Whenever there's a project that shines a light on other Filipinos and I'm in a position to help, I do it. These are things I'm glad I got to do during my lifetime. I just wanted to shine that light.
Story & Production: Rhia Grana Photography: Paul Sugano Grooming: Lilian Yeung Creative Direction: Igi Talao Editor-in-Chief: Paul John Caña Shot on location at The Westin Manila. Special thanks to Meg Hernandez
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