Like father, like star-son

It’s the same as having a doctor or a lawyer as a father,” smiles Jako de Leon, producer and writer of Hecklines, a new comedy show on GMA News TV, when asked what it’s like to have the great Joey de Leon as a father. Of course, as he very well knows, it’s not. “You grow up in that environment long enough and it becomes something normal. But looking back now, I guess it means that I get to have the best seat in the house.” 

Given that vantage point, we asked him to allow us a glimpse of that unique vantage point that he has as well as telling us really what it’s like working in the same industry and field as his legendary father.

YOUNG STAR: What do you think makes Filipino audiences laugh, in general?

JAKO DE LEON: Filipino humor, I feel, is very rooted in the visual: slapstick, the funny looking and the over-the-top. Pinoys have always liked things vibrant and colorful, whether it’s the sets, the characters, or even simply the reactions to a punch line. Ngek! Acheche! We like it bold and expressive — and that is very unique to us Filipinos. We love all that and we should take pride in it. With Hecklines and in any show I do for that matter, even if I draw influences from other sources abroad, I never fail to incorporate what Filipino comedy is all about and go back to my roots  and I’m proud to say, that was what my dad, along with the rest of TVJ, help build.

How is Hecklines different from the shows you’ve done before?

Hecklines is by far the most complete and most polished show we’ve done for television. When I started Front Act with Mike and Stanley back in 2009, I was nothing more than a very lucky 23-year-old who was just happy to be a part of anything. At that time, I had a lot of fresh ideas and a knack for television but I lacked the necessary experience to truly say that I had a firm grip on what I was doing, especially on the business end of things. As the seasons progressed, I started finding my niche both as a comedy writer and as a producer.

I can be your hero, baby: Jako and his dad, Joey de Leon.

We grew up, learned from our mistakes and got better. What once was an “anything goes” kind of show, suddenly showed more purpose and when we heard the news that we might be heading to GMA News TV, I knew we have found the perfect venue to showcase what we’ve learned in the past two years.

How different or similar is your humor from your father’s?

My dad has successfully created his own brand of comedy over the years from his own influences. I grew up with that — and that has always been a major influence in my own comedic approach. But I’m still in the process of finding my own style. And with the advent of the Internet and social media, I can’t help but adapt also to a lot of comedy found online. Everyday, people from all over post the funniest things: tweets, pictures, “memes,” YouTube videos, etc.

I just I love the idea of fusing things together and seeing what I can come up with. Getting little ideas from here and there, putting it together to create something new. In that sense, I take after my father for that. And that’s where we see a lot of common ground for our humor.

We both love parodies and writing comedy. In fact, he prides himself on his writing. To him, a true comedian can write.

Can everything be funny?

Not exactly. I believe when it comes to writing comedy for movies or television, we write with that in mind. We want to try to make everyone laugh. But of course, no matter how funny we get, we know that not everyone appreciates it and that’s fine. We shouldn’t allow the different panlasa of others to bother us too much. No comedy is perfect. As long as there are people that laugh that should be reason enough to continue.

How have you influenced your dad?

Hopefully I’ve been able to introduce him to many of the new kinds of Internet comedy, or the new comedy shows that he doesn’t get to see because of his busy schedule or the fact that he’s not really a “techie.” I guess I help in keeping him up to date with things. He knows how to Google from the iPad now, so I guess I’ve influenced him somewhat.

Also, over the past couple of years, my dad and I would collaborate on numerous scripts, routines, articles, songs and ideas. We brainstorm a lot and it’s a good exercise of wit for the both of us. It’s an honor just to be able to share ideas with such a brilliant man because the beauty about working with my dad is that he doesn’t cast shadows, he lets you walk alongside him and lets you shine on your own.

I know this has been asked but really what’s it like growing up with Joey de Leon as your dad?

I get to see him work his magic up close and even get to assist him and to be under his tutelage. To me, that is priceless. My dad’s achievements are something that, at this point in my career, I can only dream of.

I don’t think there will ever be another Joey de Leon because he’s in a league of his own. I can only hope, someday, people would see my body of work and say the same.

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Hecklines airs every Saturday, 11:30 p.m. on GMA News TV.