The Murder of Filipino Comedian Gold Dagal: When Comedy Crosses the Line or Just Tells the Truth

Filipino stand-up comedian Gold Dagal made people laugh for a living, until one of his jokes got him killed.

On March 15, 2025, Dagal, real name Goldenier Dagal, was inside a bar in Angeles City, Pampanga, when he was gunned down by three unidentified assailants. According to police, the suspects fled the scene immediately. Dagal was rushed to a nearby hospital, but after suffering more than ten cardiac arrests, he died nine hours later.

He was only 38 years old.

His crime? Making people uncomfortable with jokes that hit a little too close to home.

To the Filipino comedy scene, Gold wasn’t just another funny guy with a mic, he was a truth-teller, a disruptor, a voice for the bold and uncomfortable. Starting out in Manila’s underground stand-up circuit, Dagal built a reputation for his razor-sharp wit, unfiltered style, and dark humor that tackled religion, politics, toxic Filipino traditions, and hypocrisy. His one-hour special, MAKAMUNDO, earned him a cult following for its ability to make audiences laugh while squirming in their seats.

But for all the punchlines, Gold was also deeply compassionate and principled. His mother, Jocelyn Cruz, called him “a kindhearted son and a protective brother.” He loved his three sisters fiercely. He was consistent with his care.

“Such a short life but made meaningful because it was lived selflessly,” she wrote.

So how did we get here? A few years ago, a viral video of Gold critiquing the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), one of the most powerful religious groups in the Philippines, put him on a dangerous radar. In that set, he openly challenged the group’s influence on politics, its strict control over members, and its contradictions. But when the clip exploded online, so did the threats.

“My son is gone. A hired killer ended his life and made sure he does not survive,” Cruz said in a Facebook post.

“Some people who claim to be closest to God planned and perpetrated this crime. They are a bunch of cowards who cannot defend themselves and their faith, which was put in question through his dark humor.”

Gold had long warned that he wanted his comedy to open up “an avenue where people could explore uncomfortable topics in a safe environment.” But apparently, safety was never guaranteed. Gold Dagal’s death has sparked widespread outrage, both online and IRL. Artists, comedians, and human rights advocates are now sounding the alarm on the growing dangers comedians face in the Philippines.

We’ve seen comedians get attacked across the globe, from Chris Rock at the Oscars to Hasan Minhaj getting canceled by Netflix—but Gold’s case was different. He didn’t get boycotted or dragged online. He got executed.

“This wasn’t a robbery,” one netizen wrote. “This was an assassination. For a joke.”

Filipino comedians already walk a tightrope, wanting to entertain, but constantly risking backlash from those in power. And when you mix religion, comedy, and politics in a country like the Philippines? Even laughter can get you killed.

#JusticeforGold

Since the shooting, the hashtag #JusticeForGold has gained traction, with tributes pouring in from all corners of the Filipino creative community.

Lawyer and fellow comic Edward Chico remembered Gold as “a good man with no known enemies, “ but someone who never backed down from speaking truth to power. Authorities say they’ve launched a dragnet operation to identify the gunmen and uncover the motives. But for many fans and fellow comics, the motive is already so painfully obvious:

Gold Dagal told jokes. Some people couldn’t handle them. And now, we’ve lost a brave, necessary voice.

So, What Now?

If we stay silent, Gold’s death will be just another headline. But if we speak out, if we protect comedians, artists, and the people brave enough to challenge the status quo, we might just preserve the freedom he lived (and died) for. Because if we don’t fight for Gold Dagal’s justice,
the next comedian who pushes boundaries might be next.

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