Jo Koy on making his Philippine special: 'There's beautiful parts and there's parts you need to see'

Jo Koy's upcoming Netflix special is about the Philippines, but you won't be seeing world-class beaches or five-star restaurants.

Instead, Jo Koy is shining the spotlight on the harsher side of Filipino life.

In a video interview with the press including GMA News Online, Jo Koy said he made the conscious decision not to sugarcoat the Philippines.

"Because you know, there's beautiful parts and there's parts that you need to see," he said.

"I want to show you guys the beautiful side but I also want you to see that harder side. And let's all embrace that, be aware of it," he added.

For "Jo Koy: In His Elements," the Filipino-American stand up comic brought his fellow Fil-Am artist friends to the Philippines to experience the culture.

Most of them have hardly stepped foot in the country, since their families immigrated to the United States before they were born, or when they were really young.

^{Photo still from "Jo Koy: In His Elements." NETFLIX}

Jo Koy said, "I want them to see exactly just how hard the struggle is and understand what their parents sacrificed for them to have a beautiful opportunity in America, what they gave up, what they had to leave. And that's what you got to see. You have to see that. You have to appreciate that."

When filming the special and spending time with Filipinos who are on the rougher side of life, Jo Koy had a realization.

"I remember leaving the Tenement and looking at my sister and I'm like, 'We have to do more than just this.' There's more work after this. After the special's done, you and I have to do something for this," he said.

"I've been blessed. I can do it. I want the world to see that and just show how beautiful these kids are, even if they're in the hardest situation, all they want to do is dance. How cool is that?" he added.

"Jo Koy: In His Elements" is premiering on Netflix on June 12.

—JCB, GMA News