Drag comedian Ate Gay, amid his battle with cancer, has revealed that an “angel” offered to cover the cost of his radiotherapy and chemotherapy at a good hospital, and recounted his journey so far through this time of uncertainty.
“May isang anghel na tumulong sa akin na libre ako sa napakamahal na ospital. Napakagandang ospital, magagaling na mga doktor, natutuwa ako kasi may pag-asa ako,” he told Ogie Diaz in a sit-down interview.
Ate Gay revealed the donor is affiliated with the non-government organization (NGO) Gabay Guro, which hosts annual events to entertain teachers all across Asia.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Gusto ko pang mabuhay.’ Tapos si Lord lang daw po ang makakaalam. Si Lord lang daw magbibigay sa’kin ng mahabang buhay. Doon lalo akong naiyak sa kanya kasi nga, napakaganda ng puso niya kasi narinig lang niya na may sakit ako, tinawagan niya agad ‘yung doktor at kinausap, at ang ganda-ganda ng treatment sa’kin doon, thank you,” he shared.
He also thanked fans who sent their well-wishes, prayed for him, and visited him.
Ate Gay presently suffers from a tumor on the right side of his neck. His first biopsy result indicated the tumor was benign. While performing at shows in Canada from August 5 to 28 this year, the tumor grew and would bleed.
“Habang nagsh-show ako, dumudugo siya. ‘Di alam ng mga tao, nagpapatawa nga ako, pero may iniinda akong sakit,” he said.
Afterwards, Ate Gay went straight from the airport to the Manila Doctors Hospital, where he was confined for a week. He then left for General Santos for Teacher’s Day and Tupi, South Cotabato nearby for the municipality’s anniversary. While at the General Santos airport, as he was bound for home, the tumor bled profusely. He spent one week in confinement again, and it was then that his tumor was found to be cancerous.
While the first doctor said Ate Gay would not live long enough to see 2026, his new doctors are filled with hope and love, he said.
As for the cause of his condition, he disclosed that one of his siblings developed a tumor on his head and now has nasal cancer. He had also been a smoker from the age of 19 until he stopped smoking completely in 2017. Prior to having cancer, Ate Gay previously endured a severe skin disease which left his body wounded in multiple areas and his fingers and toes without nails. Consequently, he believes the tumor on his neck is a skin-related affliction. The doctors, he said, are not sure of its cause either.
When Ate Gay would pray, he would tell God to spare him should he still have a purpose.
“Sabi ko kay Lord, kung kukunin niya ako, nang wala pa akong silbi, kunin niya na ako. Okay lang, tatanggapin ko po. Pero huwag niyo na po akong kunin kung may silbi pa po ako sa mundo like magpatawa ng tao, mahalin ang mga pamangkin ko,” he said.
Ate Gay advised his fellow stand-up comedians to get insurance, save, and take care of themselves.
