Filipino-American stand-up comedian and actor Jo Koy takes a groufie with students of the Alangilan National High School in Bacolod City on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Gervie Jude Tolimao)
Updated @ 02:01 a.m., Jan. 8, 2023
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines — Celebrated Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy quietly dropped by this city last Friday for the inauguration of a road built on the grounds of a public school through funds donated by his foundation.
His brief visit, all of six hours, in this provincial capital of Negros Occidental went viral on social media, after fans spotted him at a coffee shop and posted photos of the Hollywood celebrity.
Jo Koy, whose real name is Joseph Glenn Herbert, returned to the Philippines on Dec. 28 for a family vacation.
Upon arriving in Bacolod at about 10 a.m. on Friday, he went straight to Alangilan National High School, in the village of the same name, where a 412-meter road had been built, using P1,593,000 donated by the Jo Koy Foundation.
Joining the star to witness the launching of the completed project were his 19-year-old son, Joseph Herbert Jr., his sister Gemma Herbert Simmons and other relatives.
An official of the school administration said only P1.2 million was spent for the road project. So the remaining balance was used for rehabilitating the high school’s water service and for building a guard house.
Roots
Jo Koy donated an additional P1.2 million for the construction of a basketball court, a canteen and other facilities.
During his visit, he met with the students, encouraging them to study well, and also assured the school and the barangay of more help.
Jo Koy and his family departed for Manila at about 4 p.m.
He recently starred in “Easter Sunday,” the family-oriented comedy produced by acclaimed director Steven Spielberg.
That film, like the many television shows he has written and produced, highlights his Filipino background. Jo Koy’s family traces its roots to the provinces of Negros Occidental and Pangasinan.