TRIBUTES have poured in for comedian Chokoleit who passed away after performing at a show in Abra Saturday night.
Chokoleit, who was 48, died after experiencing difficulty in breathing, according to his talent agency, Star Magic, which is still confirming additional details surrounding his death.
Comedy icon Vice Ganda led the tributes, writing on Twitter: “Thank you Lord for giving me a chance to meet Chokoleit and become his friend. I’m sad that we lost him but happy that he’ll be in a much peaceful and happier place now with you.”
Actor Paulo Avelino described Chokoleit as a person whose talent for bringing laughter and happiness will “surely be missed.”
Talent manager Ogie Diaz was too upset to talk about it, sharing simply on Facebook: “Sobrang nakakalungkot.”
Other celebrities paying tribute included Ogie Alcasid, Luis Manzano, Maris Racal, Pokwang, and Vhong Navarro. They were joined by fans of Chokoleit, who made the comedian one of the most talked about topics on Twitter.
JM de Guzman, who also performed at the Kawayan Festival 2019 with Chokoleit on Saturday, recalled the last moments of the late comedian in Abra.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, de Guzman said Chokoleit wasn’t his usual self during their dinner hosted by Abra Governor Joy Bernos.
“Nung dumating siya, parang medyo mabigat na ‘yung aura niya. Parang may dinadala, not his usual self na parang jolly. So inisip ko baka pagod lang,” he said.
While de Guzman did not see Chokoleit’s performance, the actor said all of them heard from backstage how he did his best in entertaining those who came to watch the show.
“Malaki ‘yung stage. In-effort niya na ma-ignite ‘yung audience. Naririnig namin ‘yung sigawan ng mga tao. He was doing his very best,” he said.
De Guzman said it was right after the comedian’s performance that he was immediately rushed to a hospital via an ambulance.
“Positive pa ako nun na baka fatigue lang or whatever. Tapos pumunta na sila Miss Pops (Fernandez), sila Coleen (Garcia). After nung performance ko, pagbabang-pagbaba ko ng stage, medyo tahimik nga. Pagpasok ko sa van, binalita na sa akin ng road manager ko na hindi na siya na-revive,” he said.
The shocking news left all of them quiet inside the van while they were making their way home.
“I feel down pero at the same time, I know he’s in a happy place. Marami siyang napasayang tao, isa na rin ako doon. He will be missed,” de Guzman said.
Chokoleit, whose real name was Jonathan Aguilar Garcia, passed away aged 48 on Saturday night. He succumbed to pulmonary edema and heart attack, his attending physician Dr. Rosauro Seares said. (ABS-CBN News)
