Comedian Jo Koy releases memoir 'Mixed Plate'

By WALTER ANG
March 25, 2021 | USA.Inquirer.net 

LOS ANGELES — Filipino American stand-up comic Jo Koy has released his memoir Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo.

Cover of Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo by Jo Koy.

The book recounts the 49-year-old's path to his American Dream, a decades-long career that had him performing globally before the pandemic and currently has him hosting the podcast "The Koy Pond."

He has specials on Comedy Central and on Netflix-three in just a matter of four years-namely, "Jo Koy: Live from Seattle" (2017), "Jo Koy: Comin' In Hot" ('19), and "Jo Koy: In His Elements" ('20).

Koy is also to star in the family comedy film "Easter Sunday" currently being developed by Amblin Entertainment, which is owned by director Steven Spielberg, a fan of his.

In his own book's blurb, Koy writes, "Well guys, here it is-my story. A funny, sad, at times pathetic but also kick-ass tale of how a half-Filipino, half-white kid whose mom thought (and still thinks) his career goal was to become a clown became a success. Not an overnight success, because that would have made for a really short read, but an All-American success who could give my immigrant mom the kind of life she hoped for when she came to this country, and my son the kind of life I wished I'd had as a kid."

The comic, whose real name is Joseph Glenn Herbert, got his start at a comedy club in Las Vegas. He went on to perform in late night talk show such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (where he received a standing ovation), "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," "The Joy Behar Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," and "Jamie Foxx: Laffapalooza." He was also a regular panelist on "Chelsea Lately" hosted by Chelsea Handler.

Journey  

In the 12-chapter memoir, Koy recounts how humor helped him cope with difficult situations growing up. The divorce of his parents; his white father moving to another state and his Filipino mother raising him by herself.

Of initially fitting in with other mixed-children on military bases to becoming the only half-Filipino child in his school and of his mother's struggles to seek out fellow Filipinos in the '70s in a time of racial tension.

He includes deeply personal topics, including sharing stories about his older brother who has violent schizophrenia, as well as "some real dark stuff, the stuff we don't talk about often enough as immigrants" he writes in the blurb, such as "mental health, poverty, drinking."

He shares how he became inspired to become a stand-up comic, the people in his life who have supported his dreams, and the long road it's taken for him to reach his current perch.

Because of his love and pride for Filipino food, the autobiography is part cookbook as it contains recipes for dishes such as chicken adobo and lumpia.

Title

In an interview with singer Kelly Clarkson on her talk show, Koy explained the reason behind the book's title is because of his fondness for Hawaii's unique dish.

Jo Koy signs copies of his book. (From Instagram)

"I'm in love with Hawaii. It embraced me right away when my first special came out. I broke Mariah Carey's record [for most tickets ever sold].

"I just love the culture there.  I love the people there. One of the things I love to eat is the mixed plate. When you look at the mixed plate, it has everything, every ethnicity is on the plate.

"There's a little rice for Asians, there's Korean barbecue, there's tempura, there's spam, there's mac salad. So when you look at that plate, I think of me. It's like a little bit of all these cultures just mixed up into me. I just felt like that's a good representation of what this book is and about my life in this world."

Inspire

Koy has mentioned that he's always wanted to write his own book for many years now. "It's weird to know that I can go in the airport now and see my book on top of that shelf as well as all the other books that I purchased when I was flying to places. So now I get to be on the shelf," he said in an interview with KTLA 5 Morning News.

In an interview with Vanyaland.com, he said he hopes the book inspires "people who are my ethnicity, and hopefully give them a voice and give them something to be inspired by."

In addition to ebook format, the title is also available in audiobook format, narrated by Koy himself.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/66437/comedian-jo-koy-releases-memoir-mixed-plate

Filipino Canadian Roger Balagtas wins Jury Award at SXSW film fest for 'Islands'

BY WALTER ANG
March 24, 2021 | USA.Inquirer.net 

AUSTIN, Texas — Filipino Canadian actor Rogelio Balagtas has won the Special Jury Recognition Award for Breakthrough Performance at this year's SXSW (South by South West) Film Festival. 

In a scene from "Islands," Joshua (center), played by Rogelio Balagtas,
with his parents, portrayed by Vangie Alcasid and Esteban Comilang. 

The accolade is for his performance in the film "Islands," [click on film titles to watch trailers] written and directed by Fil-Canadian Martin Edralin. This year's festival also had two Filipino American entries.

The jury statement for Balagtas notes, "`Islands' gives us the story of a painfully shy man set adrift in the world by the declining health of the parents who sheltered him. This story, of someone blooming late in life, hinges on the tremendously compelling, interior performance from relative newcomer Rogelio Balagtas who can break hearts throughout with his tears and enables the movie to transcend with a single smile."

"Thank you po, maraming salamat," Balagtas said in his acceptance speech during the online awarding ceremony. "I hope there will be more acting opportunities for Filipinos, Asians and people of color in Canada and the United States." 

Fab Fil-Ams

SXSW is known for its conferences and festivals that celebrate the film, music, and interactive industries. The event features screenings, exhibitions, keynotes and networking opportunities. 

Still from "Learning Tagalog with Kayla"
written and directed by Fil-Am Kayla Abuda Galang.

Fil-Am Kayla Abuda Galang's four-minute film "Learning Tagalog with Kayla"-which she wrote, directed and performed in-was featured in the Texas Shorts category, which is composed of work filmed in, about or related to the Lone Star state.

Born in the Philippines and raised in California, Galang is based in Texas. Her film "Joan on the Phone" and editing works have been previous official selections at SXSW. 

Still from "The Fabulous Filipino Brothers"
directed by Fil-Am Dante Basco.

"The Fabulous Filipino Brothers" is directed by Fil-Am actor and filmmaker Dante Basco. The 99-minute film screened in the Narrative Spotlight category and features Basco and his siblings Arriana, Darion, Derek and Dionysio in the cast. The family ensemble also served as the film's cowriters. 

In the film, four brothers confront love, adultery, family, food, cockfights, and culture from California to the Philippines during a highly controversial Filipino wedding. 

Basco is popularly known as the voice of Prince Zuko in the Nickelodeon animated series "Avatar: The Last Airbender." He previously played the lead in Fi-Am filmmaker Gene Cajayon's "The Debut."

Hesitant

The 94-minute "Islands" was screened in the Narrative Feature category. It delves into the story of Joshua, a shy middle-aged Filipino immigrant who has lived in the comfort of his parents' home his entire life. As their health declines, he pleads with God for a companion, terrified of being alone after they pass. 

Filipino Canadian Rogelio Balagtas won the 
2021 SXSW Film Festival Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance.

The cast includes Vangie Alcasid, Esteban Comilang, Sheila Lotuaco, and Pablo Quiogue.

"I was really happy that the jury saw how incredible and nuanced Rogelio's performance was," said Edralin. "My films so far have all been character studies and the roles require subtle, interior performances. Rogelio really embodied the character and showed a lot of courage and trust in the kind of film we were making and my creative process."

Balagtas immigrated to Winnipeg with his family in 2013. His only previous acting experience was for Fil-Canadian filmmaker Erin Hembrador's 2019 "Piece of Mind."

"I liked his look and there were qualities about him and his performance that just suited the role and the tone of the film," said Edralin when asked why he chose Balagtas out of other auditionees.

Talented

"He's very likeable and there's an innocence about him. I didn't want the character to come off as pathetic or like a loser, which is so common in films about lonely middle-aged or old men. I don't think he realizes how talented he is. 

Fil-Canadians Martin Edralin and Priscilla Galvez produced "Islands." 

"Rogelio hasn't had any formal training and very little acting experience, but he was really easy to work with. I don't put a lot of pressure on actors. I encourage them to do what feels right to them.

"Of course, I'll shape the performance a bit, give them blocking instructions, and there are always some lines that we have to get, but I don't force anything. If there were scenes he didn't feel ready to do, we'd move them to a different day. Or if Rogelio saw a scene or moment differently, we'd do a few takes his way, then a few takes my way.

"The other producer, Priscilla Galvez, and I made sure that we'd have the time and space in our production schedule to get the best out of the actors. Rogelio constantly surprised me. He was exceptional, as was the rest of the cast."

The plan for "Islands" is to continue with the film festival circuit in the fall and then to be released next year. "I really hope that cinemas will open up again soon so we can show the film on the big screen. It's the kind of film that you want to sink into. It rewards attention," said Edralin. 

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https://usa.inquirer.net/66345/fil-canadian-wins-jury-award-at-sxsw-film-fest-for-islands