Not to be confused with Chocolate.
Chokoleit
Birth nameJonathan Aguilar Garcia
Birth dateJune 25, 1972
Birth placeDavao City, Davao, Philippines
Death dateMarch 9, 2019 (aged 46)[1]
Death placeBangued, Abra, Philippines[1]
Resting placeDavao Memorial Park, Davao City, Philippines (cremated remains)
OccupationComedian · actor · television host
Alma materAteneo de Davao University (BA)
Years active1990–2019
AgentStar Magic (2004–2019)

Jonathan Aguilar Garcia (ˌd͡ʒoːnɐˈtan ʔɐɣɪˈlaɾ ɡɐɾˈsiːɐ; June 25, 1972 – March 9, 2019), better known by his stage name Chokoleit (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]

Early life and education

Chokoleit was born on June 25, 1972, in Davao City, Davao.

Chokoleit attended Ateneo de Davao University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication.[4][5]

Career

Chokoleit'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 to 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

Chokoleit 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

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesSource
1990Kakampi Ko Ang Diyos
1995RollerboysPerla
1997Bawal sa Halik
1999Sa Paraiso ni EfrenChokoleit
2004VoltaDenden[8]
2005Bahay ni Lola 2Glory
2006D' Lucky OnesBar host[8]
Kapag Tumibok ang Puso: Not Once, But Twice
Metlogs (Metrosexual Adventures)
Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze MoveehDidi
2007PasukobInang
2008One Night OnlyEdward
Ang Tanging Ina N'yong LahatCabinet member[8][6]
2009'Bona[8]
OMG (Oh, My Girl!)Toll Gay
2010TarimaGringo
2012Shake Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasionfat man/barberSegment: "Unwanted"
2013Call Center GirlTrainer
2015Etiquette for MistressesBailey[8]
2016EchorsisThe Devil Gay
2018Da One That Ghost AwayChicken feet[9]
Kusina KingsMr. Tsin Tsan Shih TzuGuest appearance[10]
Sol SearchingCameo[11]
FantasticaPrincess BeautyFinal film appearance[12][13]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesSource
2004MarinaPearly Shell[14][1][15]
Maalaala Mo KayaHimselfEpisode: "Comedy Bar"
2005Kampanerang KubaOtlum[16]
2006KomiksDexterEpisode: "Paa ni Isabella"
TonetteEpisode: "Inday sa Balitaw"
Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro PendukoBungisngis
2007Love SpellKitchiEpisode: "Click na Click"
2008Ligaw na BulaklakAljon
VoltaDenden
2010WansapanataymDexterEpisodes: "Inday Bote Part 1" & "Inday Bote Part 2"
Pilipinas Win na WinHimself/co-host
2010–11Mara ClaraCG[17][16]
2012–13AryanaDikya[18]
2013WansapanataymTinayEpisode: "Daddy, Daddy, Doggy!"
Juan dela CruzLorelei Cortez[16]
2015WansapanataymGammyEpisode: "Selfie pa More, Sasha no More"
Ipaglaban Mo!MinnieEpisode: "Ang Aking Pagkatao"
Mac and ChizThief
2016FPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoJonel[19]
2018AsintadoGracia Nuevadez[20][16]
WansapanataymAlbularyoEpisode: "Switch Be With You"
It's ShowtimeChokoleit GilMiss Q & A: Fantastiktakan (last TV appearance before his death)

References

  1. ^ "Comedian Chokoleit Dies". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 10 March 2019. Archived March 10, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Chokoleit". Star Magic. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Comedian Chokoleit dies". cnn. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  4. ^ Rated K. ABS-CBN Corporation. 10 March 2019.
  5. ^ Magno, Alexander T. (10 March 2019). "Comedian Chokoleit Dies After Abra Performance". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived March 11, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  6. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick (10 March 2019). "Claudine, Ai-Ai, Pokwang, Other Celebs Grieve over Chokoleit's Death". pep.ph. Archived April 7, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Chokoleit to be laid to rest today". The Filipino Times. March 16, 2019. Archived April 14, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  8. ^ "Chokoleit, Pumanaw Na". Star Cinema. 10 March 2019. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  9. ^ Penilla, Doreen (10 April 2018). "Who's Your Favorite 'DOTGA' Character? Choose here!". Star Cinema. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Zanjoe, Empoy Cook up Laughs in 'Kusina Kings' Trailer". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 7 October 2018. Archived August 18, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  11. ^ Cruz, Marinel R. (14 June 2018). "Pokwang Waives Huge Portion of Talent Fee in 'Sol Searching'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived September 14, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  12. ^ Adel, Rosette (10 March 2019). "Sympathies, Tributes Pour as Chokoleit Passes Away at 46". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  13. ^ Padayhag, Mary Joy L. (14 June 2018). "Richard Gutierrez and Dingdong Dantes are Vice Ganda's Leading Men in MMFF 2018 Film". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Chokoleit Dies". CNN Philippines. 10 March 2019. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  15. ^ "'Hindi Kita Makakalimutan': Claudine Mourns Death of 'Marina' Co-star Chokoleit". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 10 March 2019. Archived March 17, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  16. ^ "27 Funniest Photos of Chokoleit that Almost Broke the Internet!". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 5 March 2018. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  17. ^ Quintos, Napoleon (22 October 2010). "Chokoleit on Cristy Fermin: Siya ang Nagdemanda, Sinasagot ko Lang". push.abs-cbn.com. Archived April 7, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Tween Mermaid Aryana Makes a Big Splash". The Freeman. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Pooh, Chokoleit Join Vice Ganda on 'Ang Probinsyano'". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 25 June 2016. Archived November 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  20. ^ "'Chokoleit Asks Julia and Shaina: Sino ang Maganda sa Ating Tatlo?". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 28 June 2018. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2019.