Filipino comedian Ate Gay. ARCHIVE

Filipino comedian Ate Gay has confirmed he will begin chemotherapy and radiation treatment after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. In a heartfelt Facebook post, the comedian — whose real name is Gil Aducal Morales — expressed gratitude to the sponsors and supporters who stepped in to help him as he battles stage 4 mucoepidermoid squamous cell carcinoma. “Good news, I will undergo chemotherapy and radiation at the hospital for free through the help of an angel. I am very thankful for your messages. I may not be able to reply to everyone, but I sincerely appreciate them,” he wrote in Filipino. The 52-year-old also revealed that one of his fans generously provided him with a free place to stay in Alabang, near the hospital where he will undergo treatment. Ate Gay’s health struggles first became public earlier this year when he appeared on the program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. He shared that he discovered a lump on his neck in February, which doctors initially believed was benign. However, while on a performance tour in Canada, the lump began to grow and bleed, prompting further tests that confirmed it was malignant. The comedian admitted that coping with the diagnosis has been emotionally difficult. “It is painful for me. I cry almost every day. I never failed in my faith to the Lord… I just need prayers and strength. I hope I can endure my day-to-day life now,” he said in Filipino. Ate Gay rose to fame in the 1990s for his remarkable impersonation of National Artist for Film Nora Aunor, whose nickname “Ate Guy” inspired his stage name. Over the years, he has built a loyal fan base in the Philippines and abroad, including the UAE, where he has performed multiple shows in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. His unique brand of comedy, which blends sharp wit with heartfelt tributes to Filipino pop culture, has made him one of the most recognizable names in the entertainment industry for nearly three decades. Fans and fellow artists have flooded social media with messages of support, sending prayers for his recovery. CAM/Expat Media
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