Joko Diaz gets a second wind in his acting career

After nearly two decades of not doing any project for Viva Films, Joko Diaz, who started his acting career with the company, cannot be thankful enough now that he has been given a second wind in his acting career. With his recent career path, Joko is happy with the new projects given to him by producer, Vic del Rosario.

Joko’s film assignments have recently been one after the other. He started 2022 with director Roman Perez Jr.’s sexy drama, Siklo, with Vince Rillon and Christine Bermas. Joko recently starred in GB Sampedro’s sexy psycho-thriller, Kinsenas, Katapusan. He will be seen next in direk Roman’s Hubad, with AJ Raval and Sean de Guzman.

“I think Boss Vic has a plan for Vivamax and the other artists,” asserted Joko. “I’m here to help everybody as an employee of Viva. Kung ano sabihin ng boss natin, susundin natin.”

Joko assured his family that he is merely doing his job in his role in Kinsenas, Katapusan, to give them a better life. “Hinanda ko ang buong pamilya ko para sa mga darating na trabaho na tatanggapin ko,” granted Joko. “Alam ng misis ko na trabaho ito. Binigay ni Boss Vic ang mga projects. Pinagkatiwala niya sa akin. Alam ko hindi naman konting pera lang ang sinusugal niya sa akin. Malaking pera ang sinusugal sa amin ng boss namin, kaya kailangan, tapatan ko ‘yung binibigay niya sa aking tiwala.”

“Sinasabi ko sa pamilya ko, ‘Trabaho lang ‘to,” added he. “Pagkatapos nito, uuwi ako sa inyo at maayos ang magiging buhay natin.’”

As most everyone probably knows, Joko was born into a prominent showbiz family. The late veteran actor, Paquito Diaz, was his dad. The latter’s actor-brother, Romy, was Joko’s uncle. He has an older sister, Cheska, who also ventured into showbiz in the ‘90s, but later opted to shy away from the limelight.

Joko proudly carries with him the esteemed legacy of his dad, who passed on in 2011. His daughter, Ashley, with his non-showbiz wife, also embarked on an acting career last year and starred in the Vivamax drama series, director Andoy Ranay’s Di Na Muli, which topbilled Julia Barretto, Marco Gumabao and Marco Gallo.

Even if he has been pre-occupied with film and TV work — he is even in the cast of ABS-CBN’s ongoing teleserye, Marry Me, Marry You — Joko knows how to balance his career and personal life.

For Kinsenas, Katapusan, he was delighted that he got to star anew with Kier Legaspi, who plays his business partner. They previously worked together in nearly a dozen films, like in the ones, where Joko played the lead — Toto Natividad’s Grepor Butch Belgica Story (1995) and Anak ni Boy Negro (1997), and Jose “Kaka” Balagtas’ Boy Chico: Hulihin si Ben Tumbling (1997).

With director Deo Fajardo Jr., Joko and Kier co-starred in Angelito San Miguel: Ang Batang City Jail (1991), Utol Kong Hoodlum 2 (1992), Jesus de la Cruz at ang mga Batang Riles (1992) and Blue Jeans Gang (1992).

Earlier, they also starred in Mike Relon Makiling’s Estudyante Blues (1989), Ben Feleo’s Teacher’s Enemy No. 1 (1990), and Ike Jarlego, Jr.’s Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang (1992).

In Kinsenas, Katapusan, Joko is also joined by young and sexy female stars of Viva. Miss Earth Philippines 2019 Janelle Tee plays the gorgeous Karen, who’s a very aggressive and strong woman.

Angela Morena, who was recently seen in Sanggano, Sanggago’t, Sanggwapo: Aussie, Aussie (O Sige), essays the role of Carla. Rising sexy star Ayanna Misola, who captured everyone in Darryl Yap’s Pornstar 2: Pangalawang Putok and also in Siklo, plays the 15-year-old student, Beth in Kinsenas, Katapusan.

Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Jamilla Obispo, who was earlier seen in Lawrence Fajardo’s X Deal (2011) and Mahjong Nights (2021), plays Melba.

Joko’s co-star, Ayanna, only has good words working with him even if they did sexy, intense and daring scenes together. “Sobrang professional siya,” Ayanna said about Joko. “He guided me in every scene we did together. Ayaw niya ng kinakabahan ka. Ginagawa niya ang lahat para maging comfortable ako.”

Admittedly, Joko did a more daring character, although he also had to set some boundaries in essaying his role as the wealthy and powerful Conrado. “Nag-usap kami ni Boss Vic at nag-usap din kami ni direk GB,” said Joko.

“Nagtiwala lang ako sa director ko at kay Boss Vic, because I know Boss Vic will not give me a project na hindi ko kakayanin,” added he. “After that, nakasakay na agad ako sa project. We’re just moving on sa creativity ng pag-arte. Kinsenas, Katapusan was definitely a good project. I haven’t played this role yet.”

Joko is pleased to work with today’s young stars. “Hindi sila hambog,” he commented. “They give respect to the senior stars and they come early to the set. That’s good. Siyempre, wala tayong gustong paghintayin sa set. Kung dumadating kami ng alas otso, dumadating din sila ng alas otso. It’s not a problem with me. They bring their craft to work. That’s perfect.”

Kinsenas, Katapusan starts streaming on Vivamax on Feb. 4.