Chokoleit

Not to be confused with Chocolate.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Aguilar and the surname or paternal family name is Garcia.

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 (1970-06-25)June 25, 1970 Davao City, Davao, Philippines
Died	March 9, 2019(2019-03-09) (aged 48)[1] Bangued, Abra, Philippines[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

Early life

Chokoleit was born on June 25, 1970 in Davao City, Davao.

Education

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 1998-1999 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

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		[8]
2005	Bahay ni Lola 2	Glory
2006	D' Lucky Ones	Bar host		[8]
	Kapag Tumibok ang Puso: Not Once, But Twice
	Metlogs (Metrosexual Adventures)
	Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh	Didi
2007	Pasukob	Inang
2008	One Night Only	Edward
	Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat	Cabinet member		[8][6]
2009	BFF: Best Friends Forever	Bona		[8]
	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		[8]
2016	Echorsis	The Devil Gay
2018	Da One That Ghost Away	Chicken feet		[9]
	Kusina Kings	Mr. Tsin Tsan Shih Tzu		[10]
	Sol Searching		Cameo	[11]
	Fantastica	Beauty	Final film appearance	[12][13]

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Source
2004	Marina	Pearly Shell		[14][1][15]
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Himself	Episode: "Comedy Bar"
2005	Kampanerang Kuba	Otlum		[16]
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		[17][16]
2012–13	Aryana	Dikya		[18]
2013	Wansapanataym	Tinay	Episode: "Daddy, Daddy, Doggy!"
	Juan dela Cruz	Lorelei Cortez		[16]
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		[19]
2018	Asintado	Gracia Nuevadez		[20][16]
	Wansapanataym	Albularyo	Episode: "Switch Be With You"
	It's Showtime	Chokoleit Gil	Miss Q & A: Fantastiktakan (last TV appearance before his death)