Ate Gay breaks down at Padre Pio shrine, prays for cancer patients

The comedian recalls a dream about the saint as emotional pilgrimage turns into prayer for healing.

Comedian and television personality Ate Gay, whose real name is Gil Aducal Morales, turned an emotional first visit to the National Shrine and Parish of Saint Padre Pio in Santo Tomas, Batangas, into a heartfelt prayer for cancer patients and people battling serious illnesses.

In a Facebook post under the name Gil Morales, the comedian recalled unexpectedly bursting into tears shortly after sitting inside the church.

“Kahapon, first time kong dumalaw kay Padre Pio sa Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Pag-upong pag-upo ko sa simbahan, agad akong napahagulhol sa iyak,” he wrote.

The sudden emotional reaction left Ate Gay unable to understand the reason behind the tears.

“Humagulhol ako nang bigla, ’di ko alam kung bakit,” Ate Gay shared.

Ate Gay also recalled a previous dream involving Padre Pio, connecting the experience to the strong emotions felt during the church visit.

“Ramdam ko siguro si Padre Pio na napanaginipan ko siya dati, kaya ko siya nakilala,” Ate Gay shared.

The personal pilgrimage soon became an opportunity to pray for people facing serious health challenges, particularly cancer patients and those suffering from various illnesses.

“Ang hiling ko, lahat ng may cancer ay gumaling at lahat ng may karamdaman,” Ate Gay wrote.

Ate Gay publicly disclosed the cancer diagnosis through the social media platforms of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” on September 20, 2025. The comedian revealed a diagnosis of mucoepidermoid squamous cell carcinoma, a rare type of cancer involving mucous-secreting cells, squamous cells, and intermediate-type cells.

In July 2026, Ate Gay provided an update on the ongoing cancer treatment, revealing continued sessions of CyberKnife radiation and immunotherapy while expressing strength and improvement in physical condition.

“‘Di pa po ako cancer free… nagsa-CyberKnife pa po ako at immunotherapy… pero malakas na ako at nagkakalaman na ang aking pangangatawan,” Ate Gay shared.

Ate Gay also praised the CyberKnife treatment for significantly reducing the number of radiation sessions required.

“Ang bongga ng CyberKnife kasi ang 35 times kong radiation, sa kanya 5 times lang,” Ate Gay wrote.

CyberKnife is a non-invasive radiation treatment that uses a robotic arm to deliver highly focused radiation beams to tumors in different areas of the body.

The emotional visit to Padre Pio’s shrine became more than a personal expression of faith. Tears turned into a prayer for healing, with cancer patients and people battling serious illnesses at the center of Ate Gay’s intentions.