Photo courtesy from Jocelyn Cruz

The Ides of March—March 15, 2025—became a day of unbearable loss for one mother. Gold Dagal, a comedian known for his sharp wit and fearless humor, was shot in the face and succumbed to his injuries nine hours later. His mother, devastated and furious, believes his death was a planned execution—an act of revenge by those who took offense at his jokes.

In a heartbreaking statement, she shared the harrowing details of his final hours: doctors fighting to revive him through more than ten cardiac arrests, the cruel reality that a hired killer ensured he would not survive. “My son is gone,” she wrote.

Gold was no stranger to controversy. He pushed boundaries with his dark humor, tackling topics that many found uncomfortable but others appreciated for their raw honesty. His mother revealed that he had received threats from those who felt attacked by his jokes, particularly from a private performance meant for a mature, intelligent audience.

Despite warnings about the risks of his comedic style, Gold believed in the power of humor to challenge, to provoke thought, and to thicken the notoriously thin-skinned. He wanted to teach Filipinos to embrace satire and not take offense so easily. But his vision cost him his life.

Beyond the stage, Gold was a beloved son, a doting kuya, and a grandson who brought joy to his family. His mother remembers him as selfless, respectful, honest, and endlessly funny. “Such a short life but meaningful because it was lived selflessly,” she wrote, vowing to carry his memory forward.

Now, she mourns the loss of her “favorite human being,” forced to say goodbye far too soon. “Rest in peace now with Papa,” she wrote. “I will see you again, my baby boy.”