Police: Comedian Tado Jimenez among dead in Mountain Province bus crash
(UPDATE2) Tado Jimenez, best known for co-hosting various noontime shows on ABS-CBN in early 2000s, was among the 14 people killed when a tourist bus fell into a ravine Friday.
Bontoc police chief, Senior Inspector Benjamin Challoy confirmed to Yahoo Southeast Asia that Tado, whose real name was Arvin Jimenez, was among the fatalities. Challoy said the 39-year-old comedian was dead on the spot.
“Mahaba ang buhok at ako mismo and naglagay sa kanya sa black bag. Base sa identification card, Arvin Jimenez ang pangalan niya,” Challoy said.
The accident occurred around 7:20 a.m. in Bontoc, Mountain Province.
On Thursday, February 6, Tado even posted on Instagram that he has a long journey going to Bontoc.
Tado was apparently going to Mountain Province for a project, ironically titled: "Life begins at the mountain."
To those who are asking, reason why Tado Jimenez went to Bontoc was for this project. pic.twitter.com/L4NxLaAeEC
— DAKILA Philippines (@dakila_ph) February 7, 2014
Tado has four daughters, namely Leidulataja, Katrina May, Indi and Tila.
’40 Mountains Project’
Tado, who’s turning 40 on March 24, was to fulfill his ongoing “life project” in the mountainous province.
On Thursday, February 6, Tado even posted on Instagram that he has a long journey going to Bontoc. And in his last Instagram post, Tado, true to his nature as a comedian, he was even able to joke about his grades in elementary.
For Dakila, an organization on Philippine collective for modern heroism that Tado co-founded, the comedian will be remembered as a great person.
Showbiz mourns
Meanwhile, friends from the industry immediately mourned Tado's passing.
“Magkakasama lang tayo last week, gulat na gulat ako at nakipag inuman at sinabayan mo pa kami sa kwentuhan. Ang dami pa nating plano at isasama mo pa kami dapat ni waki sa mga adventure ng tour raket mo. Tado Jimenez hindi naman katanggap tanggap etong balita. Napakabuti mong tao at dedicated sa pamilya. Di ko na maintindihan," says Cooky Chua.
Ronnie Quizon, meanwhile, remembers Tado for his generosity and patriotism.
“Thanks for sharing your talent and your humor... but most of all, for your generosity to help other people, the arts, the environment, and the nation.”
The TV host-comedian was among the celebrities who trooped to Rizal Park on August 26 to join “Million People March,” an effort to protest the misuse of park barrel.
Tado also tried to enter politics twice—in 2010 and 2013—but failed to get a seat in Marikina City council.
Tado also ran a t-shirt design business “LimiTado” with his wife.
Career on radio, TV
In 2001, Tado co-hosted magazine show “Strangebrew.” The show was cancelled a year later. He was then launched on radio via Hit FM show “The BrewRATs!” with Ramon Bautista and Angel Rivero.
He has since become a familiar face on TV via noontime shows “Masayang Tanghali Bayan” and “MTB: Ang Saya-Saya.”
He was also a supporting cast in Aga Muhlach and Bayani Agbayani’s hit sitcom “Okey, Fine, Whatever” in 2003.
Tado was last seen in the 2013 film “My Little Bossings.”
