Keempee de Leon resurrects career

Keempee de Leon’s showbiz career was resurrected when he became Harold, the campy homosexual on the sitcom, Bahay Mo Ba ‘To?. He went on to star in various primetime shows (Fantastic Man) and weekend specials (Love to Love). And as the Kapuso network follows the trend of making reality-based shows, Keempee tells us how he makes a conscious effort to give his best in his latest project, Kung Ako Ikaw. The actor believes that the emergence of reality-based shows is not the end of sitcoms. “Nagulat talaga kami (noong sabihing mawawala 'yung show). Mahal namin 'yung show (Bahay Mo Ba ‘To?)" he shared. Keempee remains optimistic though. “Hindi naman mawawala ang sitcom eh. We’re going through the trend right now na reality-based, (pero) ang sitcom, anytime pwede namang ibalik ‘yan." On Shifting Genres Keempee’s stint with Kung Ako Ikaw is a new challenge for him, and he admits that “at first, medyo nangangapa pa ako". As compared to sitcoms, he notes that “mas mahirap ito kasi hindi biro 'yung locations. Challenge din sa sarili mo na (habang nandoon ka), nafi-feel at nakikita mo 'yung ibang tao – kung ano talaga sila, kung paano 'yung trabaho nila." Despite the change in environment and attack, Kempee carries over his character Harold, whom people have learned to love. “Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ko kay Harold – kasi doon ako mas nakilala, tumatak nang husto sa (isip ng) mga tao. Minsan nga 'yung mga tao, iyon na ang tawag sa akin" the comedian shares. As Harold, Keempee is the host and funny critic of the contestants’ performance. The greater challenge, however, is to inject comedy in a serious show that requires really hard work. “Nangungulit lang kami ni Manong Joey (Marquez). Kasi nga kami 'yung comic relief" he says. On Various Roles Although better known as a funny man, Keempee says he is comfortable with hosting since he also co-hosts in the longest-running afternoon variety show, Eat Bulaga, where he works with his father, Joey de Leon. Like his father, Keempee has become a versatile actor who can take on any genre – be it drama or comedy. He shares how he makes his dad proud, “nakikita naman niya kung gaano ko pinaghihirapan 'yung trabaho ko, (so) natutuwa naman siya." “Lahat kasi kina-career ko eh. Basta ang importante sa akin mabigyan ko ng kasiyahan 'yung tao (kaya) ginagawa ko 'yung trabaho ng tama" he adds. To attest how much he loves his job, he says, “Hindi ko alam kung anong trabaho ko (kung hindi dito sa showbiz) kasi 'yung passion ko nandito eh. Half of my life nandito na eh, kumbaga koneksyon na ito ng sistema ko." Catch more of Keempee in his reality-based comedy show, Kung Ako Ikaw, Mondays to Wednesdays after Jumong. - iGMA.tv