Hey Joe! BYU students' secret life as Filipino video stars

When they returned home from LDS missions in the Philippines, five #BYU students began making humorous videos in the Cebuano language to celebrate Filipino culture. The family-friendly "Hey Joe Show" quickly became a viral video sensation and turned five "average Joes" into celebrities in Cebu.

The Hey Joe Show members Connor Peck, Sumner Mahaffey, Tylan Glines, Jacob Mingus, and Davis Blount, are instantly recognized in the Philippines where they routinely pose for selfies and draw crowds. Hey Joe Show has more than 800,000 Facebook followers and more than 50 million video views. Thousands of smiling (and screaming) fans showed up for their 2015 and 2016 Filipino tours. Mingus says they have been thrilled by the reaction. “We have been able to bring joy and happiness to the people that we love so much.”

Making fun videos and music in Cebuano has been a part of a "secret life" for these BYU students, who are not recognized as famous in the U.S. As three group members have now graduated from BYU and are moving to different cities, the Hey Joe Show may not produce many videos in the future but the connection to the Philippines is a permanent part of their lives.

Video produced by BYU University Communications
Additional footage by the Hey Joe Show and Fat Boy Productions

[jomsbryan]

Having been born and raised in Manila, the Hey Joe Show made me appreciate Bisaya even more and try my best to learn the language. Daghan salamat!

[wrinklebrain]

This reminds me of when I came back from the Philippines. I felt like a star there, but felt like a nobody in the US.

[raykoc]

This is shocking. We may not see them for quite long now but dont worry hey joe show, your always inside filipinos heart. You make them proud on your new journey. 😢

[DannyArangale]

You have really touch the heart of Filipinos for your being humble and being closed to our culture especially your fluency in Visayan language..

[gibsongravador]

Thank you for your love of the Filipino people. You are all indeed embarking on new phases in your lives. May God bless you all! Just remember that you will always be cherished in the hearts of the Filipinos. If you all have time again to visit, we'll all be here waiting! We are grateful and accept our heartfelt thanks to all of you.

[kaiserbacote]

really love their song "My Morena Girl", brings back memories

[lessablanca]

I'm a bisaya, born and raised. I can't help but leave a comment. I admire these guys and thier experience in my country. Their story's one a kind. The kind where you can find in movies/books. They became famous in a foreign land. And being back in US, it was like facing reality. Waking up from this insanely beautiful dream. It's sad thatwe won't be seeing any Hey Joe Show for a very long time. God Bless you and the future ahead of you. Kami nga mga Bisaya mu ingun, HJS will always have a place in a Bisaya's hearts.

[jerickalas]

Hey joe I miss u we Filipinos loves u so

[johngarcia]

I love how open determined they are when it comes to discovering and trying other cultures.💕

[ljbunso]

we are so proud that in very short period of time there were 5 american teenagers who once loved and showcased our country and my city to the world .. we will truly treasure those memories that HJS left us .. until now its been years since they left my country and my city ( cebu ) but their impact in cebuano culture remains strong and meaningful.. we loved them because not all foreigners especially europeans and americans respect my city when they visit here.. they are all criticising the environment like filipino being undisciplined and many insulting words .. when stray kids or homeless kids will ask for money they pushing them away.. thats why cebuanos loved hey joe show because they showed opposite way.. they loved our culture.. our people .. our nature .. they respected my fellow cebuanos.. they adapted the culture .. thats why filipinos are giving back the love and respect they gave us .. so the result, they were instant celerbrities in my country.. everybody knows them.. until now

[彭美堅-vh]

I am a member of the Church from Taiwan. Thank you for being good examples and radiate that gospel light even after your mission. That's so important to yourselves, to the people you served, and thus have positive influences at a greater scale. No matter where we are, strive to be a life-long disciple of Jesus Christ.

[hartygan]

U guys made an impact to the Philippines.. They love people who brings joy to everyone.. Youre such a goodvibes guys.. We love y'all..

[jessaarchie]

aw... naluha ako dun ah... THANK YOU so much guys... #heyjoeshow

[bdavid]

thank you for loving the Philippines/Filipino people and God bless you all in your future endeavours! Mabuhay ang Hey Joe Show! :)

[roseaguilar]

We love missionaries and you are always welcome here in the Philippines. Thank you for loving the Filipino cultures.😊

[Rean]

" you don't wanna listen to me now, but I once famous in the philippines" that hurts for me
you guys will be a massive part of our history hehee

[HumanSagaVault]

hey guys, it has been such a long time, But I remember you guys were so famous before, you had a lot of videos going viral in social media PH trends. I can't believe it has been almost 4 years since then. wow time really flies so fast. I hope you guys are doing great, you will always be a part of Philippines, you had our love always, and imagine you guys could speak Cebuano! omg, that is such a feat. I hope you guys could still practice using that language even though you are no longer here in PH. we miss you <3

[ms.practicality]

This made me feel so sad. Good things must always come to an end...😢 The kindness, the love and the way you showed your appreciation for my country was quite remarkable. I wish you all much future happiness and blessings.

[ljbunso]

im crying while watchig ... these foreigners encourages me to love more my country and my city.. salamat kaayu ninyo mga bai ..

[santorum]

This is the start when more vlogers came to the philippines.. Im happy to know that due to this school they came to the phil.