13 is Joey’s lucky number

MANILA, Philippines - Some people retire when they get their senior IDs. Not Joey, he got his 10 years ago and it seems he has no plans to slow down. He now travels more frequently and still does his daily gig in Eat, Bulaga! and in his weekly TV shows. 

The barkada (clockwise, from top left): Mike Enriquez, Joey, Sen. Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, this writer and Tony Tuviera

I met Joey in the late ’60s when we were both upstart, wet-behind-the-ears, struggling DJs. We hardly made enough money to cover three daily meals. Both our radio stints crossed at Mareco Broadcasting Network, KBS and DZSA which broadcast from Republic Supermarket building on Rizal Ave. 

That’s me (left) with my compadre Joey de Leon

Joey’s radio-TV career took off in the ’70s followed by movie stardom in the ’80s and ’90s. He did several movie blockbusters with Regal and M-Zet Productions where he wrote the script and starred. It was also in the late ’80s that we started traveling together and became compadres. 

Joey with Don Pepe de Leon and half-brother Pepe

When Channel 5 reopened in the late ’80s, I got involved in directing and producing some of his TV shows that included Stay Awake, Starzan the TV series, etc. I’ve always been in awe with his talent. When we shot Starzan the TV series, he was the main character and scriptwriter. We shot all 13 episodes, sans any working script except an outline of each episode written on a cigarette package foil. Joey would patiently rehearse the actors with dialogue, which was in his memory prior to each sequence. We always did just one take when it were his sequences. The series, which was aired on Channel 9, was consistently in the Top 5 programs ratings.

Of all the actors I had worked with during my TV production years, Joey was always punctual to a fault. He would arrive an hour ahead of everyone. Even when we started traveling, if I asked him to pick me up at home at 8 a.m., he would arrive at 6:30 a.m. and patiently wait while I got dressed. 

Joey has a penchant for the number 13. For most people, the No. 13 is unlucky. For Joey, it is the opposite. His daily life revolves around the No. 13 including the way he writes for his Philippine STAR column every Sunday. All his five children have 13 letters in their names: Cheenee’s full name is Jacinda Myrtle; Keempee’s full name is Joseph Joachim; Jocas’ full name is Jocas Eightria; Jako’s full name is Jako Raphaelle; and Jio’s full name is Jio Sebastienn. 

Back in the ’90s, Joey also influenced me to buy paintings (besides being an accomplished painter, Joey is a songwriter who wrote over a hundred hits including songs for VST & Co, Hagibis, Blue Jeans, etc.). On a few occasions, we would visit National Artist Ang Kiukok at his house and buy some of his freshly-made paintings. Joey had the eye for fine art and foresight to invest; and he bought a lot. He encouraged me to buy, too, and bought a few myself. My only regret is that I should have bought more because the paintings we bought back then for P12,000 to P20,000 are now worth millions. 

In private life, Joey is much of a home person, preferring to watch the latest movies in the privacy of his bedroom instead of going to socials. If he ever goes out for dinner or concerts, it will always be with wife Eileen and his kids or close friends. He recently gave up smoking and embraces a healthier lifestyle nowadays and looks forward to more travel.

Happy 70th Joey. A toast to good health and a long life.