Joey De Leon doesn't believe in overexposure

Television host-comedian Joey de Leon doesn't believe in overexposure. He is one of the privileged few in Philippine show business, who is practically seen on TV everyday of the week, from noontime till nighttime.

To begin with, he's a fixture on the top-rated and long-running noontime show "Eat Bulaga" on GMA 7 from Mondays to Saturdays.

Then every Saturday afternoon, he troops to the GMA 7 Studio in Timog Avenue for "Startalk". On Sundays, he's on "Mel and Joey". Aside from that is a short stint as game show host in "Spin It, Win It" that is giving away millions worth of prizes to Kapuso viewers as part of GMA 7's ongoing 60th anniversary celebration.

Now, two more programs had been added to Joey's already busy schedule—and this time on TV5. He's on TV5's "Wow Meganon?!" which started last Monday at 9 p.m., with DJ Mr. Fu as his co-host, and a new Sunday game show called "House or Not" which airs from 12 noon till 1 p.m. starting this Sept. 12.

"I don't believe in being over-exposed because I am doing different kinds of program genres," says the TV host who also writes a Sunday column for the Philippine Star's entertainment section.

With regards to his new show House or Not, which runs smack into Party Pilipinas of GMA 7 and ASAP 2010 on ABS-CBN, Joey says their new game show hopes to be an alternative viewing fare for people who doesn't go for a musical fare on a Sunday.

"House Or Not" is an original concept of TV5 and it took the production team almost a year to develop the program to ensure that all game portions that they will put in the game show are really different. They also made sure that all the game portions would be challenging and would test the capabilities of those who are going to join the game show.

Joining Joey in his new game show is sing-along host Ruffa Mi (who mimics sexy actress Rufa Mae Quinto) and just like the rest of the press people, Joey was also wondering why it was Ruffa Mi who was chosen to be his co-host. But it doesn't mean that he's belittling the capability of Ruffa Mi. He was simply as curious as the members of the press.

In the same breath, not all TV viewers would like to dry their eyes from watching teleseryes every night, hence "Wow Meganon?!", another alternative viewing fare that should be habit forming for those who'd like to have some laughs instead of tears rolling down their cheeks from all the dramas.

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Speaking of Mr. Fu, the former DJ of Energy FM (he has since transferred to a new radio station), said he thought he was hearing a joke when he was informed by his manager Noel Ferrer that TV 5 got him to the Joey de Leon's co-host in "Wow Meganon?!".

When he was told of the good news, Mr. Fu thought his manager was just pulling his leg. "At first I didn't want to believe what I heard over the phone. I thought he was only joking. But I was really honored to have been chosen," said the DJ who started out his career as a news reporter on RPN 9.

"I was really intimidated with the thought that I'd be working with Sir Joey. And who wouldn't be? He's an icon in the industry and I was really nervous as to how would I conduct myself in his presence? Besides, I know I have to be prepared because I know that Sir Joey is sharp and spontaneous. I don't want to be left out. Nakakahiya!" he said.

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At 14, Yssa Alvarez already knew what she wants in life. After watching Hilary Duff in a Lizzie McGuire movie, she instantly knew she wants to become a singer. She remembers using a hair brush as a make-believe microphone, or the TV remote control as she would belt songs to her heart's content.

At seven, Yssa became a member of their church choir and when she was in 5th grade, she became a part of the musical Joseph The Dreamer. Now that she's a senior year in high school at GCF International Christian School, she is performing at their school musical titled Set Apart scheduled next month.

Yssa is truly thrilled because she finally realized her dream of becoming a recording artist. She just came out with her debut album under Viva Records titled Addicted to Acoustic 3. The album contains two original songs: Yssa's original composition titled All I Need Is You and Best Friend, which was composed by Davey Langit, who is also a Viva artist.

The album also features the Lady Gaga hit Alejandro, Rihanna’s Hate That I Love You, Taio Cruz’s Break Your Heart and a lot more.

But even if she has entered showbiz, Yssa promised her parents (Almira Muhlach and Paul Alvarez) that she won't neglect her studies.

 Yssa recently signed up with Ever Bilena to be the endorser of Careline Tweeny, a line of sweet-smelling body sprays and skin-friendly make-up that tweeners would find irresistible.