Joey de Leon: His true passion is writing

People have gotten so used to him hosting Eat Bulaga, playing pranks, and being everyone’s favorite comedian. But behind that onscreen façade is a hard working, witty, and fun-loving person whose gift for making the world smile comes out in his true passion — writing. “Kahit nag-iisa ako, nagsusulat ako. I want to be called a writer before anything else — before an actor, before a comedian. A writer of anything, mostly comedy. Mas-gusto kong writer ako, dahil ganoon talaga ako." Even when waiting during tapings of his gag show Nuts Entertainment, Joey usually spends time in his van, writing his next composition, be it for his column in The Manila Bulletin, “De Leon’s Den," or just to jot down a brilliant idea that comes to mind. “Passion ko (ito), tira ako ng tira, kahit na yung mga sinusulat ko, wala doon sa mga shows ko. Kahit na wala doon sa format ng shows ko, sulat pa rin ako ng sulat, tago ng tago. Ano ako e, dakilang archiver, dakilang filer." For Nuts Entertainment, Joey says that everyone is involved in the creative process of the show. “Nagko-contribute kaming lahat. Ako, maski mag-contribute ako, pagdating na ng time ko, naga-adlib pa rin ako. Yung script, guide lang yan, eh." The show has been airing for three years now, and its writers have compiled the third book titled Nutsa Lotsa Games: Mga Laro sa Nuts Entertainment. The book contains all the games featured on the show, together with testimonials from regular cast members of the show. He attributes the success of the show to the rapport of the cast members behind the camera. “Kasi nagkakaintindihan kami. I’m talking of Balakubak, kasi yung game naman, lahat kami, nandiyan. Pero doon sa Balakubak portion, nagkakaintindihan kami. ‘Yun bang, the way we think, na Tito, Vic, and Joey, the way we see things and hindi na kailangan mag-usap, eyes lang and feeling, alam na namin ang iniisip ng isa, o ang gagawin. Ganoon na rin nangyayari sa team namin nina Anjo, Janno at ng ibang kasama namin." He adds: “Kapag may tumigil na isa, alam na nung isa kung magasasalita siya dapat, so walang dead air. Walang ganoon, kasi mortal sin yun eh — yung nabablangko kayong lahat sabay sabay. Well, I would like to think na ako yung ‘mother,’ kapag may tumahimik lahat, ako yung unang umpisang magsasalita, pero nakukuha na rin ni Janno at Anjo yung trick na yun. Iyun yung importante sa comedy kasi eh, tinginan lang, alam mo kung susunod ka. Ang kasalanan doon e yung magsapawan kayo, na hindi nangyayari sa amin." Does he have a favorite segment in the show? Joey says: “Alam mo, sa trabahong ito, dapat wala kang favorite eh. Lahat gusto mo, kasi it’s your performance that counts. Kahit may sipon ka, lagnat, kailangan 100 percent." But Joey says that the Balakubak ("Balita at Kwentong Bakla") portion never fails to be fun and enjoyable. Joey describes himself as "masipag," saying that he lives by this motto: “Why sleep? Kapag namatay ka, puro tulog na gagawin mo eh." He explains: “Ayoko naman sabihin kong workaholic ako. Hindi naman, kasi I know how to play, I know how to enjoy life. Siguro kapag sinabi mong workaholic, it could be you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, but you just like to work. Pero ako, hindi. I see to it na nage-enjoy ako sa work ko. Dahil kung hindi, ititigil ko. I’ll stop, I’ll resign doon sa ginagawa ko." From all the fun he’s managing to have, it doesn’t look like Joey is going to stop any time soon. Don’t miss Joey De Leon on Nuts Entertainment every Wednesday. - iGMA.TV