Jonathan Aguilar Garcia (Tagalog: [ˌd͡ʒoːnɐˈtan ʔɐɣɪˈlaɾ ɡɐɾˈsiːɐ]; June 25, 1970 – March 9, 2019), better known by his stage name Chokoleit (Tagalog: [ˌt͡ʃoːxoˈlɛɪ̯t]),[2] was a Filipino comedian, actor, and TV host. He was best known for his role as Pearly Shell in the Philippine television series Marina. He is recognized as one of the pioneers of stand-up comedy in the Philippines.[3]
Chokoleit | |
|---|---|
 Chokoleit in 2019 | |
| Born | Jonathan Aguilar Garcia June 25, 1970 Davao City, Davao, Philippines |
| Died | March 9, 2019 (aged 48)[1] |
| Resting place | Davao Memorial Park, Davao City, Philippines (cremated remains) |
| Alma mater | Ateneo de Davao University (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, actor, television host |
| Years active | 1990–2019 |
| Agent | Star Magic (2004–2019) |
Biography
editEarly life
editChokoleit was born on June 25, 1970 in Davao City, Davao.
Education
editChokoleit attended Ateneo de Davao University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication.[4][5]
Career
editChokoleit's showbiz career started in 1994 when he was discovered by movie director/talent manager Maryo J. de los Reyes. His contemporary was fellow stand-up comedian Gil "Ate Gay" Morales. Not soon after, he became a bit player in the GMA Network sitcom Haybol Rambol, sharing screen time with lead stars Dennis Padilla, Benjie Paras and Nida Blanca. He managed to stay with the sitcom until it was cancelled in 1995. He also became part of the talk show Brunch as comic relief to main hosts Bing Loyzaga and Michelle van Eimeren from 1998-1999 and started to appear in movies also as a bit player, while continuing his work as a stand-up comedian in The Library, Punchline and Laffline.
In 2004, Chokoleit bagged the role of Pearly Shell in the ABS-CBN fantaserye Marina after being recommended by director Wenn Deramas, who became instrumental to his career until the director's untimely death in 2016. From Marina, more TV shows and movies came for Chokoleit. His life story was essayed in the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya and became a talent of the Kapamilya Network's "Star Magic".
Death
editChokoleit died of a heart attack on the evening of March 9, 2019 at the age of 48, shortly after a performance at the Kawayan Festival in Bangued, Abra province. Before his death, he experienced difficulty breathing after his performance and was rushed to a local hospital.[1][6] His remains were brought to Davao City for the funeral. He was cremated afterwards on March 17. His ashes were interred in Davao Memorial Park.[7]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Marina | Pearly Shell | [8][1][9] | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya | Himself | Episode: "Comedy Bar" | ||
| 2005 | Kampanerang Kuba | Otlum | [10] | |
| 2006 | Komiks | Dexter | Episode: "Paa ni Isabella" | |
| Tonette | Episode: "Inday sa Balitaw" | |||
| Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko | Bungisngis | |||
| 2007 | Love Spell | Kitchi | Episode: "Click na Click" | |
| 2008 | Ligaw na Bulaklak | Aljon | ||
| Volta | Denden | |||
| 2010 | Wansapanataym | Dexter | Episodes: "Inday Bote Part 1" & "Inday Bote Part 2" | |
| Pilipinas Win na Win | Himself/co-host | |||
| 2010-11 | Mara Clara | CG | [11][10] | |
| 2012–13 | Aryana | Dikya | [12] | |
| 2013 | Wansapanataym | Tinay | Episode: "Daddy, Daddy, Doggy!" | |
| Juan dela Cruz | Lorelei Cortez | [10] | ||
| 2015 | Wansapanataym | Gammy | Episode: "Selfie pa More, Sasha no More" | |
| Ipaglaban Mo! | Minnie | Episode: "Ang Aking Pagkatao" | ||
| Mac and Chiz | Thief | |||
| 2016 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Jonel | [13] | |
| 2018 | Asintado | Gracia Nuevadez | [14][10] | |
| Wansapanataym | Albularyo | Episode: "Switch Be With You" | ||
| It's Showtime | Chokoleit Gil | Miss Q & A: Fantastiktakan (last TV appearance before his death) |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Kakampi Ko Ang Diyos | |||
| 1995 | Rollerboys | Perla | ||
| 1997 | Bawal sa Halik | |||
| 1999 | Sa Paraiso ni Efren | |||
| 2004 | Volta | Denden | [15] | |
| 2005 | Bahay ni Lola 2 | Glory | ||
| 2006 | D' Lucky Ones | Bar host | [15] | |
| Kapag Tumibok ang Puso: Not Once, But Twice | ||||
| Metlogs (Metrosexual Adventures) | ||||
| Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, ze Moveeh | Didi | |||
| 2007 | Pasukob | Inang | ||
| 2008 | One Night Only | Edward | ||
| Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat | Cabinet member | [15][6] | ||
| 2009 | BFF: Best Friends Forever | Bona | [15] | |
| OMG (Oh, My Girl!) | Toll Gay | |||
| 2010 | Tarima | Gringo | ||
| 2012 | Shake Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion | fat man/barber | Segment: "Unwanted" | |
| 2013 | Call Center Girl | Trainer | ||
| 2015 | Etiquette for Mistresses | Bailey | [15] | |
| 2016 | Echorsis | The Devil Gay | ||
| 2018 | Da One That Ghost Away | Chicken feet | [16] | |
| Kusina Kings | Mr. Tsin Tsan Shih Tzu | [17] | ||
| Sol Searching | Cameo | [18] | ||
| Fantastica | Beauty | Final film appearance | [19][20] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Comedian Chokoleit Dies". ABS-CBN Corporation News. March 10, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "Chokoleit". Star Magic. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
- ^ "Comedian Chokoleit dies". cnn. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Rated K. ABS-CBN Corporation. March 10, 2019.
- ^ Magno, Alexander T. (March 10, 2019). "Comedian Chokoleit Dies After Abra Performance". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b Anarcon, James Patrick (March 10, 2019). "Claudine, Ai-Ai, Pokwang, Other Celebs Grieve over Chokoleit's Death". pep.ph. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "Chokoleit to be laid to rest today". The Filipino Times. March 16, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
- ^ "Chokoleit Dies". CNN Philippines. March 10, 2019. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "'Hindi Kita Makakalimutan': Claudine Mourns Death of 'Marina' Co-star Chokoleit". ABS-CBN Corporation News. March 10, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "27 Funniest Photos of Chokoleit that Almost Broke the Internet!". ABS-CBN Corporation News. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Quintos, Napoleon (October 22, 2010). "Chokoleit on Cristy Fermin: Siya ang Nagdemanda, Sinasagot ko Lang". push.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "Tween Mermaid Aryana Makes a Big Splash". The Freeman. May 7, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "Pooh, Chokoleit Join Vice Ganda on 'Ang Probinsyano'". ABS-CBN Corporation News. June 25, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "'Chokoleit Asks Julia and Shaina: Sino ang Maganda sa Ating Tatlo?". ABS-CBN Corporation News. June 28, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Chokoleit, Pumanaw Na". Star Cinema. March 10, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Penilla, Doreen (April 10, 2018). "Who's Your Favorite 'DOTGA' Character? Choose here!". Star Cinema. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "Zanjoe, Empoy Cook up Laughs in 'Kusina Kings' Trailer". ABS-CBN Corporation News. October 7, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Cruz, Marinel R. (June 14, 2018). "Pokwang Waives Huge Portion of Talent Fee in 'Sol Searching'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Adel, Rosette (March 10, 2019). "Sympathies, Tributes Pour as Chokoleit Passes Away at 46". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Padayhag, Mary Joy L. (June 14, 2018). "Richard Gutierrez and Dingdong Dantes are Vice Ganda's Leading Men in MMFF 2018 Film". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved March 10, 2019.