Anjo Yllana and the Rumors Involving Joey De Leon: What’s Really Going On?

Anjo Yllana, a veteran actor, television host and politician in the Philippines, has been a prominent figure in noontime variety shows for decades.

He is a former long‐time host of Eat Bulaga!, serving many years alongside icons such as Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon. Over time however, the relationships behind the scenes appear to have cooled considerably.

Meanwhile, Joey De Leon is one third of the legendary “TVJ” trio (Tito, Vic & Joey) who steered Eat Bulaga for decades and remains a key figure in Philippine entertainment. Their legacy is deeply intertwined with the show’s identity.

The big question this article seeks to explore: What are the rumors involving Anjo and Joey? Are there real‐life tensions, and if so, what fuelled them?

The Rumors Surface

Recently, Anjo has made a number of public statements that suggest there is more than casual friction between him and the camp of Eat Bulaga. While many of his remarks targeted Tito and Vic, mention of Joey begins to appear in the makeup of his broader grievances. For example:

Anjo publicly lamented the change of lyrics in the SexBomb Girls’s “Bakit Papa?” performance, stating that his name was replaced by that of Jose Manalo. He insists this change had personal implications and was not just showbiz fun.

In the same context, Anjo made mention of how he observed the reactions of Joey and Vic in the studio when he raised these issues—implicitly accusing them of laughing or ignoring the matter when, according to him, they should have addressed it. He said: “Ok lang sa akin na tumawa kayo basta hanggang tawa lang a? Huwag n’yo kong sisiraan. Alam n’yo na, pareng Joey, pareng Vic.”

While the direct link to Joey is less explicit than with Jose or Tito, the inclusion of his name already signals a breakdown in goodwill—sections of the entertainment community interpret it as a tacit message that Joey is part of the internal dynamics Anjo challenges.

The result: Social media and fan forums are brimming with speculation. One Reddit commenter wrote:

“this is so creepy tho like…..ano bang goal ng mga ganyan? lack of self‑control?”

Another thread claims:

“Sino ba ang susunod na aawayin nito? 😅” in reference to Anjo’s claim that Jose Manalo “inhaas” his former girlfriend.

While these rants may or may not be fully substantiated, they are very much a part of the public record of recent controversy.

The Alleged Key Issues

From what can be pieced together, the alleged problems involve multiple layers:

Name Replacement in a Signature Song
The modification of “Bakit Papa?” lyrics—where Anjo’s name was replaced by Jose Manalo’s—serves as symbol and trigger. Anjo took offense, saying that the replacement felt personal.

Claims of Unpaid Wages / Under‐recognized Service
Anjo has publicly stated that during his tenure at Eat Bulaga! he was not paid some of his delayed wages, especially compared to his former co‐hosts. For context, he revealed that while Tito, Vic and Joey had received theirs, he was still owed months of compensation. 
Such financial disagreements are often fertile ground for resentment, particularly in showbiz where long careers and loyalties are involved.

Accusations of Internal “Syndicate” and Betrayal
In a livestream, Anjo claimed there is a “sindikato” inside Eat Bulaga! and alleged that one of the veteran hosts (Tito) was involved in clandestine actions. He said he knew “what really happened” inside the show.

Although Joey is not named in every accusation, the dragnet includes all those long‐time insiders—by implication, Joey is part of the inner circle that Anjo challenges.

Broken Relationships / Perceived Personal Betrayal
While more directed at Jose Manalo, Anjo’s narrative involves feelings of betrayal: he claimed that Jose “inhaas” his then‐girlfriend. Though Joey is only tangentially mentioned, this narrative amplifies the sense that Anjo believes he was undermined or disrespected by figures inside the show.

Historic Departure and Awkward Exit
Anjo left Eat Bulaga! in 2020 after two decades of involvement. There is suggestion of bitterness and lack of closure. He has since been open about being willing to return, but also acknowledges “maybe medyo masama ‘yung loob nila” (maybe they’re still upset) with him.

When taken together, the situation appears to be about more than one single incident—it’s about long‑standing frustrations, perceived unequal treatment, and the challenge of transitioning away from a legacy role into a new chapter. Joey De Leon, as one of the most prominent figures in the noontime show’s history, inevitably gets pulled into the drama.

Why Joey De Leon is Implicated

Even though the headlines rarely read “Anjo vs Joey” in the direct sense, Joey’s involvement can be understood via several angles:

Institutional Position: Joey is one of the mainstays of Eat Bulaga! and a pillar in what is known as the “TVJ” brand. Anybody challenging the show’s internal culture implicitly challenges the regime in which Joey is a founding member.

Public Reaction: When Anjo called out Joey (albeit less explicitly than Tito or Jose), the public interpreted it as a direct jab. Comments like “Pareng Joey” communicated a peer‐to‐peer tension rather than a distant critique.

Symbolic Authority: Joey, along with Tito and Vic, embodies the noontime show’s legacy. For someone like Anjo to paint a narrative of betrayal or injustice, the assumption is that the top guys (which include Joey) had knowledge or oversight.

Potential Audience Interest: From a media perspective, naming Joey invites more attention—he’s a bigger figure, more likely to attract clicks. Whether or not the underlying facts are precise, the mention creates a story.

Thus, although the core of the tension may lie elsewhere (Jose Manalo, lyric changes, unpaid wages), Joey’s name is dragged into the broader orbit of the controversy.

What Joey and the Show Has Said (or Not Said)

As of now, there is no prominent, detailed statement from Joey De Leon specifically addressing the latest set of complaints from Anjo Yllana. The show’s camp has tended toward silence rather than full public engagement with the accusations. Some headlines note a “cease‑fire” between Anjo and Tito Sotto, but little is mentioned regarding Joey in that specific framing.

This silence could be calculated: responding might escalate the feud, or acknowledging it might give it legitimacy. From a public relations standpoint, ignoring the rumour is often the safer route—though it also leaves space for speculation to grow.

The Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz

The evolving drama has gained traction on social media. Some highlights:

Reddit threads where fans and viewers weigh in:

“This is so creepy tho like…..ano bang goal ng mga ganyan? lack of self‐control?” 
“He also claimed na ‘inhaas’ daw ni Jose Manalo si Mergene … Sino naman kaya ang susunod na aawayin nito? 😅”

Observers comparing Anjo’s claims to clickbait or attention‑seeking moves, others sympathising with his claims of being undervalued.

Media outlets pick up on the lyric change news and the unpaid wage claims—indicators that this is more than whisper networks.

The mixture of personal upset, professional history, and public spectacle means the story resonates with more than just showbiz watchers—it taps into themes of fairness, loyalty, and legacy.

The Stakes for Everyone Involved

For Anjo

He is fighting for recognition of his contribution, for payment, and for a grievance redress.

The risk: Being perceived as a bitter ex‑host or trouble‑maker, which could impact future job offers.

The potential benefit: Public sympathy, renewed attention, possibly leverage for a comeback.

For Joey De Leon (and by extension his camp)

The risk: Being drawn into unflattering narratives of mistreatment or showbiz politics—damaging their image built over decades.

The benefit: Maintaining a reputation of stability and legacy; silence avoids escalation.

For Eat Bulaga! and its brand

The risk: Internal controversies dilute the joy and celebration usually associated with the show, possibly affecting viewer sentiment.

The benefit: If handled well, they can emerge as a resilient brand that weathers internal friction.