Photo credits to Gil Aducal Morales Facebook (left)/ Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Facebook (right)
Comedian Gil Morales, popularly known as Ate Gay, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
In a post shared by Filipino journalist Jessica Soho’s magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS), Ate Gay shared that she is currently facing one of the toughest battles of her life.
“Mahirap ngayon ang lagay ko. May kanser ako, stage 4 daw. Magtatagal ba ang buhay ko? Ang sabi, hindi na daw ako aabutin ng 2026. Kaya ang sakit-sakit sa akin. Hindi na rin daw ako puwedeng operahan. Wala raw lunas,” she said in the KMJS official post.
Photo credits to Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Facebook
The comedian recalled that she initially thought the lump on her face was just mumps, but she grew alarmed when it gradually got bigger.
“Parang beke lang siya noon. Hindi pantay ang mukha ko. Sabi ng mga kasama ko sa work, ‘Hindi pantay ang mukha mo, pa-check mo 'yan.’ Nagpa-ultra sound ako at nagpa-CT scan. After CT scan, magpa-biopsy daw ako,” she recounted.
“Ang findings nu’ng una, benign. Nagpa-second opinion ako. May show ako sa Canada, medyo lumalaki na siya. At saka nagbi-bleed nang nagbi-bleed,” she added.
Ate Gay admitted how painful the diagnosis has been for her and asked the public for prayers and strength.
“Masakit sa akin. Halos araw-araw umiiyak ako. Hindi naman ako nagkulang kay Lord. Although lagi kong sinasabi na walang himala. Kailangan ko po ng dasal. Kailangan ko po ng lakas at sana po makayanan ko ang araw-araw kong buhay sa ngayon,” she expressed.
Following her revelation, fellow celebrities sent heartfelt messages and words of encouragement.
Actress and comedian Tuesday Vargas took to social media to share her admiration and support for Ate Gay, recalling how the latter always supported her during her early years in the industry.
“Marami ang hindi nakaka alam kung sino si Gil Aducal Morales or mas kilala sa tawag na Ate Gay. Madalas nadidinig natin ang salitang “maliiiii!” sa tuwing may patutsada siyang mash up na talaga namang patok sa lahat. Ngayon ang karera nya ay napaka init, kabi kabila ang palabas dito at maging sa ibang bansa. Bukod pa dito ay samu’t sari ang awards nya sa kanyang larangan,” she began.
“Hindi nya ako ni minsan pinaramdam na siya ay mas nauna at mas mahusay kahit pa yan ang tunay. Inalalayan nya ako hanggat ako din ay maka abot ng sarili kong pangarap,” she added.
Tuesday also recalled their recent phone conversation, saying: “Ngayon na may karamdaman ka Ate Gay, unang hello mo palang sa telepono sa akin ay imbes na malungkot ay nagtawanan muna tayo.”
“Iba ka magproseso ng hirap sa buhay. ’Yan ang tatak mo- ang magpasaya ng kapwa sa kabila ng lahat ng pasan mo. Dahil dyan ay mahal na mahal kita. Ipagdadasal ko araw-araw na gumaling ka kasi kailangan pa namin ng isang bituin na kagaya mo. Sana magka-second opinion at sabihin naming lahat sa doctor na “MALIIIIIIII!” Ate Gay, kapit lang. I love you 🥲🩷,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kapamilya actor Eric Nicolas shared a video from a recent benefit show for Ate Gay, where fellow comedian Allan K emotionally recounted her struggle. Allan revealed that Ate Gay had reached out to him, asking if he knew any medical experts who could still help her despite being told that her cancer was incurable.
“Nagtext siya ulit na ‘baka may kakilala ka na dalubahasa na pwede akong operahan aksi sabi ng doctor incurable na’ ‘Baka may kakilala ka na dalubahasa. Pa-sponsor naman ako Allan K.. Gusto ko pa mabuhay,’” Allan K recalled.
Allan K admitted that he had long wanted to organize a benefit show for Ate Gay, but she initially refused, saying she did not want to burden others.
“Noon pa man, ginusto ko na magpabenefit show kaso siya ang ayaw. Ayaw niya makaistorbo ng tao. Ayaw niya nanghihingi sa tao. Ganyan si Ate Gay. Matatag ‘yan. Nag-iisa sa buhay pero lumalaban,” Allan K expressed.
In another post, comedians and close friends Allan K, Eric Nicolas, Boobay, Jose Manalo, and Wally Bayola also offered prayers for Ate Gay’s healing.
“Kung anumang sakit ang nararamdaman niya sa sakit na ito na aprang anwawlan an tayo o siya (Ate Gay) ng pagasa), tandaan natin na sa salita ng Diyos, kahit pa sabihin ng kung sino man in the name of Jesus, gagaling ka,” Jose said.
READ: ‘Magaling na ako’: Ate Gay recovers after being hospitalized due to pneumonia
Ate Gay was last seen in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo where she played the role of Elsa. In 2021, she was hospitalized due to pneumonia but eventually recovered a month later.