I have never felt so welcome and so cared for than during my time with the T’Boli community. And I am forever grateful that she allowed me to reconnect to our Motherland in this very special way.

Mindanao, Southern Philippines is a wondrous place mainly because it is home to some of the purest unbroken lineages of indigenous Filipino people.

During a recent trip to NYC, I came across a performance in New York City by a dance company called Kinding Sindaw.

What I learned about Mindanao from them really surprised me.

Before I left Photographer Jacob Maentz in Siquijor, I told him the next stop on my trip was to visit the T’Boli community. They live in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

He told me, “Look for a Filipina chanter named Ye Gas.”

Little did I know, my T’Boli host already had it in mind to introduce me to a chanter.

Because of my parent’s courageous decision to leave their home in the Philippines and survive NYC, one of the craziest cities on the planet, I get to tell you this story today.

Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy has been making the world belly laugh since he started his stand-up career in Las Vegas coffee shops in the early 90s. Today, Jo is at the height of his career.

So, who is JOY KOY?