A New Year

2008 is great, but 2009 is MINE!

2009 will be incredible! I believe in positive thinking and energy. I always say that every year will be my year and I like saying that because it makes my body switch this gear on and starts working on things you challenge it to. When you want something, you get it.

I hate saying, “I hope” or “Wish me luck” because there is no luck. It’s always going to happen. I don’t hope because I know so. Hope means you are not sure.

Know means it’s going to happen.

Some people are dwelling on "how tough these times are". For me, I don’t care if the economy is thriving or hurting because watching Comedy is just awesome. I love to laugh. It’s the natural high. Don’t you realize that when you laugh really hard, whatever you were thinking before that just kinds of go away.

All I can say is that everything is going to be fine. This is America. We live in the greatest country in the world. We have been here before, but we always pull through. This recession is nothing compared to the one we experienced in the early 1900’s in which they had soup lines. We are going to be fine. We are the hippest country in the world. All the cool things come from America. Never lose hope in this country. jo koy

My mom and I in Las Vegas

My mom has always been a major part of my life and will always be. Here we are in Las Vegas in front of the marquee at the South Point Casino. I've performed in venues all around the world, but this time in Vegas was special because I got to perform "at home". With all my friends and family from the place I grew up in.



Another reason why our country is the greatest – America is the land of opportunity. Literally, you don’t even need have to speak English and you can be a millionaire because "it" can provide it for you. I don’t have a college degree, but it doesn’t matter. I have a God given talent and I am making a great living. Don’t get me wrong, I am not discouraging people to go to college. I want my son to go to college, but if he does not want to, I will not sit down and cry about it. I know he will make it because I made it. jo koy

Hanging out with John Magic in Las Vegas

I had a blast in Las Vegas. Sold out three shows at the South Point Casino. It was awesome to come back to the place I call home - the place where I learned so much about show business and myself.

I went to Seafood City and my Mom's radio show in Las Vegas. She's a hard working woman and I love her. This is all the footage by my friend and DJ - John Magic from Fresno, CA.

Success and Money

Success has nothing to do with money or anything like that. Even if you take those away, I’ll still be successful. Success for me is if you have a goal in your life and you do it, then you are successful. Money is not the stamp of approval.

It’s so funny because I used to sit on the shower before I became a comic and had this radio that I would always play and pretend I was winning the Apollo as a comedian. Now here I am and I won it. For me, even though there was no money in winning the Apollo, it’s still success. I successfully achieved a goal that was my lifelong dream. Every time I told myself I want to be on something, I always ended up getting it. Set a goal and go for it and never look back. If you are going to do it, just do it.

I always challenge myself. The last couple of shows, I have been doing more than hour sets. I literally had to cut off my feature or guest comic because I need time to write and perform new jokes. I know when my Comedy Central hour special hits on Jan. 4, I need new jokes for my shows. jo koy

Marlize visits me at the Brea Improv

New York: Brooklyn and Chinese Food

We went straight from Australia to the Philippines and then I just had a day or two to rest before flying to New York to film my hour special for Comedy Central.

Upon arrival I went straight to Brooklyn to film the opening for my special



Dakota Pictures and Troy Miller did a great job of putting everything together.

After shooting for a few hours in the cold rain and air, all I wanted was some decent Chinese food: hot soup, nice fried rice and typical dishes. My wife was back at our hotel and not feeling well, so I was determined to get her something good.

We went to Chinatown and had the hardest time finding something "not too authentic". Our limo driver almost grew impatient but found it funny to see what a hard time we were having. Each place had the oddest dishes (in the eyes of a typical American). Finally, we found something good (after an hour of searching).

Philippines: part four

After eating a wonderful meal at Cafe ___________ in Pasig City, we headed over to meet with a friend of my friends in Marikina - Ara Mina. She owns her own coffee shop - Cafe Mina and also happens to be major actress on Filipino TV and movies. She was so nice and hospitable. Her cafe had the best vanilla latte I could find in the Philippines. I wondered why!?

After hanging out with Ara, we went to Embassy to experience the night life in Manila.

Philippines 2008: part three - Cafe Juanita

I was so busy doing promo visits in Manila and the only free time I had was to eat. Thankfully and I had a group of friends who knew the best places to eat in Makati and Quezon City. One place they were continuously raving about was Cafe Juanita in Pasig City. When we got the chance, we headed over there (it's hard to find) and the rest is history.



It's so good I almost don't want to let other people know about it because I'm afraid it might get overexposed and commercialized - it's a jewel in Pasig City.

Philippines 2008: part one

Visiting the Philippines was so awesome! Some of my fondest memories from my childhood were from there. It was cool coming back home and reminisce on the things I did during my childhood. I got to enjoy some of the "night life" and lots of great food.