After five years of silence and distance, veteran TV host Joey de Leon and his son, actor Keempee de Leon, have finally mended their relationship, marking a heartwarming moment for their family.
Keempee took to social media last June 2024 to share that he visited the ‘Eat Bulaga’ studio to greet his father on Father’s Day—a brave step after years of estrangement.
In a press conference for his latest GMA Network project, ‘Prinsesa ng City Jail’, Keempee opened up about how emotional the reconciliation process was, particularly their second meeting at Joey’s house in September 2024.
“Ninerbiyos ako, hindi ko alam kung papasok ako. Nagpasundo ako sa pamangkin ko, ‘yung anak ni Cheenee,” Keempee recalled. “Sabi ko, ‘Ano na nangyayari’? Sabi niya, ‘Lahat sila nandoon na, hinihintay ka’. Parang outsider ang feeling ko. Sabi ko, ‘Sige bahala na’. Sumilip na lang ako. Sabi ko, ‘Dy…’ Sabi ni Daddy, ‘Oh, halika’.”
The atmosphere was initially filled with silence until Keempee hugged Joey’s wife, Eileen Macapagal, and apologized. He then noticed his sister, Jocas, crying.
“Total silence talaga. Yumakap na lang ako kay Tita Eileen ko, nag-sorry ako, tapos yung kapatid ko si Jocas, nakita ko umiiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Bakit ka umiiyak’? Sabi niya sa akin, ‘Ang tagal mong nawala, eh’. So, na-feel ko na at home ulit ako, na welcome ako. So, yung forgiveness sa family, nandoon pa rin,” he shared.
During the celebration, Joey invited Keempee to see one of the newly renovated rooms in their house.
“Noong ina-arrange nila ang cake para sindihan, tinawag ako ni Daddy. Sabi niya, ‘Nakita mo na ba ‘yung kuwarto’?’ Sabi ko, ‘Hindi pa’! Pagpasok ko, sabi ko, ‘Ang ganda’. Tapos, inakbayan niya ako. Umiyak na ako. Doon na ako umiyak talaga. Na para akong bata, na napahagulgol ako nang hagulgol. Sabi ko, ‘Sorry po’, sorry sa lahat, patawarin mo ako’. Pati si Daddy umiyak na rin. Naghagulgulan na kami,” Keempee recounted, visibly emotional.
Keempee admitted that the reunion was a significant turning point in their relationship and described it as a moment of peace and joy.
“Naiyak talaga ako noong sinabi niya, na ‘hindi ko nga alam kung nasaan ka, kumusta ka, kung ano ba ang kinakain mo, kung ano na nangyayari sa iyo, ano ang pakiramdam mo’? May edad na si Daddy. Maikli lang ang buhay. Masaya lang ako na…naiiyak ako, kasi masaya na… Sorry… Pero naging okey kami. Pero kailangan ko pa rin, kahit papaano, kailangan kong bumawi,” he said.
The heartwarming reunion moved fans who have followed their relationship over the years, with many expressing their joy over the father and son rekindling their bond.
Keempee concluded that the experience taught him the importance of forgiveness and family, adding that he is determined to make up for the lost time and to cherish every moment moving forward.
‘Prinsesa ng City Jail’ serves as Keempee’s comeback to GMA Network after 7 years. Catch ‘Prinsesa ng City Jail’ from Mondays to Fridays at 3:20 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime. Global Pinoys can also watch the program via GMA Pinoy TV.
The entertainment industry is abuzz with the news of the reconciliation between veteran comedian Joey de Leon and his son Keempee de Leon. The two had been estranged for five years, with their rift making headlines and sparking speculation among fans. However, in a recent interview, Keempee revealed that he and his father have finally made amends, putting an end to their long-standing feud.
According to Keempee, the reconciliation was a long time coming, and it took a lot of effort and patience from both parties to finally resolve their differences. He credited his father’s willingness to listen and understand his perspective as a major factor in their reconciliation. Keempee also acknowledged that he had his own share of mistakes and shortcomings, and that he had to work on himself to become a better person and a better son.
The rift between Joey and Keempee began five years ago, when Keempee publicly expressed his disappointment and frustration with his father’s treatment of him. Keempee felt that his father was not supportive of his career and personal life, and that he was often critical and dismissive of his endeavors. The tension between them escalated, and they eventually stopped speaking to each other. The rift was a subject of much speculation and debate among fans, with many wondering what had caused the falling out between the two.
Despite the challenges and difficulties they faced, Keempee said that he never lost hope that he and his father would eventually reconcile. He continued to reach out to his father, even when it seemed like there was no chance of reconciliation. Keempee’s efforts eventually paid off, and the two began to talk and work through their issues. Joey, who is known for his wit and humor, has also spoken publicly about the reconciliation, saying that he is grateful to have his son back in his life.
The reconciliation between Joey and Keempee is a testament to the power of forgiveness and the importance of family. Despite their differences and disagreements, the two were able to put aside their pride and ego and work towards healing and reconciliation. Their story serves as an inspiration to others who may be struggling with their own family conflicts and relationships.
Keempee’s career has also benefited from the reconciliation, as he has been able to tap into his father’s wealth of experience and expertise in the entertainment industry. Joey, who has been in the business for over four decades, has been able to offer his son valuable advice and guidance, helping him to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the industry. Keempee has said that he is grateful for his father’s support and mentorship, and that he is excited to see what the future holds for him.
The entertainment industry has welcomed the news of the reconciliation between Joey and Keempee, with many of their colleagues and friends expressing their happiness and support for the two. Joey’s co-hosts on the popular noontime show “Eat Bulaga!” have also congratulated him on the reconciliation, saying that they are thrilled to see him and his son happy and at peace.
In addition to his work on “Eat Bulaga!”, Joey has also been busy with other projects and endeavors. He has been hosting his own talk show, “Joey’s Quirky World”, and has been making appearances on other TV shows and events. Keempee, on the other hand, has been focusing on his acting career, appearing in a number of TV shows and films. The two have also been spending quality time together, bonding over their shared love of music and comedy.
The reconciliation between Joey and Keempee is a reminder that family is everything, and that relationships can be healed and restored with effort and commitment. Their story serves as an inspiration to others, showing that even the most difficult and challenging conflicts can be overcome with love, forgiveness, and understanding.
As Joey and Keempee continue to rebuild and strengthen their relationship, they are also looking to the future with hope and excitement. They are both grateful for the opportunity to start anew and to make the most of their time together. With their reconciliation, they are proving that it’s never too late to make amends and to start again, and that family is always worth fighting for.
In the end, the reconciliation between Joey and Keempee is a testament to the power of love and forgiveness. Despite their differences and disagreements, the two were able to put aside their pride and ego and work towards healing and reconciliation. Their story serves as an inspiration to others, showing that even the most difficult and challenging conflicts can be overcome with effort and commitment.
