MANILA - Filipino comedian "Bentong," who was a staple in noontime variety shows, passed away Saturday at the age of 55.

The comic, whose real name was Domingo Vusotros Brotamante Jr., died around 5 a.m. at the Fairview General Hospital, his son-in-law Arvin Vincent Anierdes said in a Facebook post.

"Rest in Peace Papa Bentong hindi ko akalain na heto na ang ating huling pagsasama naten alam ko kasama mo na ang Panginoon ngayon kaya panatag narin ang loob ko," Anierdes said in his post.

"Maraming maraming salamat Papa sa pag-aaruga sa Pamilya naten. Maraming salamat din dahil napakarami mo napasayang tao. Mahal na mahal ka namin Pa," he said.

Bentong was brought to the hospital early Saturday after having difficulty breathing, his widow Cecille Bernal told reporters.

He succumbed to heart attack while inside the hospital, Bernal said, adding that Bentong had been suffering from diabetes.

"Bentong" was born in January 12, 1964 in the town of Tabaco, Albay.

He started as a production assistant at ABS-CBN and later on appeared in Tagalog comedy movies and television shows in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

He was also part of noontime shows "Magandang Tanghali Bayan" and "Wowowee."

Bentong's funeral will be held at the St. Peter Memorial Chapel along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, his wife said.