Filipino comedian Gold Dagal shot dead

A Filipino comedian shot dead in a bar was killed because of his jokes, his mother has stated.

Gold Dagal, 38, was shot multiple times when a man approached him in the city of Angeles on Saturday night.

While the police investigation is ongoing, his mother Jocelyn Cruz has revealed he received death threats over his stand-up, which touched on socio-political themes and other taboo topics such as religion. 

Writing on Facebook, she said: ‘My son is gone. A hired killer ended his life and made sure he does not survive. Why [has] this happened? I know those he offended with his jokes during one of his his stand-up comedy shows, had planned to end his life like how they constantly threatened,.

‘They are a bunch of cowards who cannot defend themselves and their faith, which was put in question through  his dark humour.’

‘His jokes involved making light of subjects that are generally considered serious, taboo, or distressing… He got the ire of these "unthinkers" with one of his private performances. It was supposed to be for matured and smart audiences who paid to be entertained. 

‘Some people who claim to be closest to God planned and perpetuated this crime. They killed my son. Such a short life but made meaningful because it was lived selflessly.’

Fellow stand-up Jose Michael Asoy described Dagal as a ‘fearless storyteller, a sharp observer, and an artist with thought-provoking expression of his craft,’ adding:  ‘His passing is not just a loss for those who knew him, but for the very spirit of comedy. The art of speaking truth, of challenging norms, of making us laugh while making us listen.’

One of Dagal's most viewed stand-up clips comes from 2023 and has him mocking the Iglesia ni Cristo church, which upset some of its 2.8million members.

Published: 18 Mar 2025