Surprise: Jo Koy makes sure to secure spot in Filipino-produced Hollywood film ‘The Last Resort’

Let’s get one thing straight: Jo Koy isn’t just cracking jokes anymore. He’s building roads, funding schools, and now, starring in a Filipino-produced Hollywood movie. That’s right, our favorite Pinoy pride funny man has taken his punchlines and turned them into purpose, showing that there’s more to comedy than laughs. There’s legacy.

And honey, what a legacy he’s starting to build in the homeland. We caught up with Jo Koy fresh from his Beechcraft King Air flight at MVP’s PG1 Hangar, where he had a chartered flight back from his filming of “The Last Resort.”

That’s right! Besides “Star Wars” stars Daisy Ridley and Alden Ehrenreich, Jo Koy is one of the cast members of the highly anticipated Filipino-produced Hollywood movie. Jo Koy barely slept because he just flew in two days prior after a marathon of sponsored leagues and charity work that he has been doing but he says that he had to be part of the history of Filipino film making for the global audience.

Jo Koy with the kids at the tenement in Taguig where he sponsored a basketball game.

“I just came from Palawan and the staff was overwhelming. Making this project and this movie was fast. It was great to see my people representing this Hollywood movie and it’s something beautiful,” he said.

Prior to “The Last Resort,” Jo Koy had already started in the Filipino-centric breakout film “Easter Sunday,” which made history by putting a Filipino family front and center in a major studio film. The food, the karaoke, the drama — it was a love letter to every Filipino household around the world. It was produced by Steven Spielberg. A film that Jo Koy is extremely proud of, as he helped share the Filipino story to the world.

From the hangar to the tenements of Taguig: Yours truly accompanies Jo Koy and his family to the charity game of the comedian.

He said that it is his mantra to keep telling people Filipino stories and he hopes many will have an opportunity to do so after his efforts for the industry as well.

Jo Koy is greeted by this author at MVP’s PG1 Hangar on his return from filming 'The Last Resort.'

“Now that the foundation is broken and people see that this is possible, the door is wide open and that is what it takes. If people are in a position to open a door, open it! Shine the light! Everyone is trying to close the door but open it!” said Jo Koy, who wants every Filipino to succeed, so he is not stopping there.

For him, being part of “The Last Resort” is extra special.

“It is one thing to be in a movie and represent but it is another to be in the motherland, where my sister and my mother are from and just seeing all these faces and producing this movie, it looks like my living room! You know? It looked like my cousins!” shared Jo Koy, who felt right at home. It is A-list filmmaking meets Filipino flair.

Just a refresher, the upcoming romantic comedy, “The Last Resort,” is shaping up to be a blockbuster with a twist. It’s got some serious Filipino star power at the helm. And yes, I’m talking about no less than business mogul Manuel V. Pangilinan, a.k.a. MVP himself, who is stepping into the global entertainment scene as an executive producer of the major Hollywood film. Who would’ve thought?

From telcos and transport to TV5 and now, Hollywood tinseltown!

At the director’s chair is none other than Donald Petrie, the genius behind our favorite rom-com classics like “Miss Congeniality” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” If anyone knows how to deliver kilig with a punch of sass, it’s him. But that’s not all! The script is penned by the Karen McCullah, the woman responsible for iconic hits like “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Legally Blonde.”

What? Like it’s hard? With her signature wit and smart-girl sparkle, we’re expecting nothing short of a witty, stylish and heartwarming ride. Cinematography is by Oscar award winner Russell Carpenter, who gave us “Titanic” and “Avatar.” And of course, making sure the film reflects the heart and hustle of Filipino culture are producers Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria Jr. and Raja Collins, who are both proud of bringing the project to life with real Filipino spirit — on a Hollywood scale.

Now Jo Koy shared, “It’s beautiful! It is great to finally see people recognizing the Philippines as a great location to shoot big-budget movies. We have the background. We have the people that can operate and run it. We got cameramen. We got actors. We have everything that you need!”

Besides his quest to put the Philippines on the map, Jo Koy had awesome plans for his charity in Bacolod. Back in 2023, the comedian funded the road with a donation of over P1.5M through his foundation. But surprise, surprise. The project came in under budget, so Jo Koy said, “Why stop there?” and used the extra funds to rehabilitate the school’s water system and help build a new guardhouse. And as if that wasn’t enough, he later added another P1.2M for a basketball court, a canteen and other facilities.

“More and more of whatever they ask for, we just keep giving. That’s where we built. My sister Gemma has a library there,” said he. “We got the basketball courts and volleyball courts. We built them a road, so they can walk. We gave them computers and a classroom.”

If that’s not enough, we also went with Jo Koy right after the hangar to hang out in the tenement court in Taguig as Jo Koy did a massive outreach in hopes of inspiring more young Filipino athletes. He even brought in his whole family to support including his brother-in-law Andre Simmons, who coaches at Beverly Hills Highschool, Los Angeles to lead their athletes who joined the games.

Iba! Mabuhay ka, Jo Koy!