| Gold Dagal | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Goldeneir Cruz Dagal |
| Born | 1986or1987 |
| Died | March 16, 2025 (aged 37) Angeles City, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Years active | 2017–2025 |
| Genres | |
| Subjects |
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Goldeneir Cruz Dagal was a Filipino stand-up comedian who was the organizer of the Comedy Roast Battles PH. He was killed by unidentified gunmen in 2025 allegedly due to his standup comedy routines mocking that of the Iglesia ni Cristo, a religious sect in the Philippines.
Goldenier Dagal was born to Ronnie Dagal and Jocelyn Cruz. He has three sisters. [1] [2] A solo musician who looked for gigs around in 2017 through internet forums in 2017, Dagal transitioned to being a comedian. Aside from being a stand-up comic, Dagal has also participated in roast battles establishing Comedy Roast Battles in 2018. [3]
According to Cruz, Dagal's subject matter as a comedian involved topics that are "generally considered serious, taboo, or distressing" and cautioned his son that his dark humor might "alienate or offend others". [4] A common topic of his comedy skits was religion especially the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), an influential Christian church. He also did social commentaries on human rights and abuse of authority. [2] [5] [6] He also incorporated dirty jokes in his performance. [5]
| Date | March 15, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Mayari Restaurant, Angeles City, Philippines |
| Motive | Under investigation |
| Target | Gold Dagal |
| Perpetrator | 3 unidentified men |
On March 15, 2025 past 9:00 pm (UTC+8), Dagal was at the Mayari Restaurant in Angeles City, Pampanga to perform for a comedy show when he was approached by three men wearing white and red shirts, ball caps and face masks. One of them fired multiple gunshots on Dagal. He was brought to a nearby hospital by fellow comedians in the event. [7] He died nine hours later at the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center on the following day from ten cardiac arrests from attempts to resuscitate him. [8] [9]
A special task force was formed by the Philippine National Police for the case. [10] Cartridge cases from a caliber .45 firearm was recovered by the police. [11]
His mother alleged that a hired gunmen was commissioned to kill Gold Dagal by people who "claim to be closest to God" who was offended by his jokes during a private performance. [2] It was speculated that the INC was involved in Dagal's death, as he had been receiving death threats for his alleged digs on the INC. [2] [12]