Ate Gay holds a celebration of life event with a ‘living funeral and eulogy’

Comedian Gil Morales, popularly known as Ate Gay, moved netizens with her unusual “Celebration of Life” event, which featured a wake-like setup and heartfelt eulogies from her loved ones.

On social media, Ate Gay shared photos from the gathering, where she was dressed in white and seated on a sofa surrounded by flowers and photos of herself, resembling a funeral wake

“Celebration of Life … Undasko 2026 ForestLake Biñan Laguna,” the comedian wrote.

Photos and video clips from the event also circulated online, showing family members, friends, and fellow comedians sharing their messages of love and appreciation for Ate Gay. 

“Nasurprise naman ako sayo bakla ka .. Kay jaka pegasus …salamat sa inyo,” Ate Gay said, sharing a photo of herself crying as comedian Boobsie Wonderland spoke her eulogy.

In an interview shared by TV5 News, Ate Gay revealed that she already knew about the funeral-like setup and understood the importance of hearing her loved ones’ messages while she was still alive.

“Alam ko yung tema ng lugar, noong gagawin. Okay yung mga picture and flowers. Tama nga naman sa celebration of life,” Ate Gay said. “Akala ko hihiga ako sa ataul. Ayon aksi yung unang concept. Buti na lang ginawa nilang sofa.”

She added, “Mas maganda yung habang buhay ka ay nalalaman mo yung mga nararamdaman ng mga minamahal mo sa buhay at dapat sinasabi iyan sa mga may sakit o kaya malalapit sa kanilang mga puso para namang lumakas lakas yung mahal nila sa buhay.”

The comedian, who previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, said hearing the messages made her realize how many people she had helped throughout her life.

“Mahalaga ito sa mga kagaya kong nakakaramdam ng ganito, yung mga cancer kasi habang nabubuhay ako, habang nabubuhay ang tao, dapat sinasabi na nila ang nararamdaman nila sa buhay. (Mula) sa puso nila, sinasabi na nila nararamdaman nila doon sa taong mahal nila,” she explained.

“Na-appreciate ko mga sinasabi nila kaya ako naiyak kanina kasi ang dami ko na palang natulungan na hindi ko alam. Ang dami. Kaya mahalaga yung mensahe nila habang nabubuhay pa yung isang tao. Mas lumalakas kami, mas gumagaling.”

Last year, Ate Gay publicly shared her cancer diagnosis, prompting an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities. She has also shared on social media how her faith and prayer have helped her find strength as she continues her cancer journey.

Despite undergoing treatment, Ate Gay has continued performing, saying that she remains determined to work as long as her doctors allow her to do so.

“Kamusta (ako)? Lumalaban pa rin ako ngayon atsaka lumalaban na masaya. Hindi naman na hirap,” she said.

“Hanggang ngayon nagpeperform ako kahit may sakit ako kasi hindi naman ako pinagbabawalan ng doktor ko. Marami namababash sa akin bakit daw ako nagpeperform. Sabi ko na yung doctor ko nga hindi naman ako sinabihan ng ganyan kahit sa pagkain. Walang pinipili sa akin yung doctor. Kahit ano naman pinipili ko at papaano ako tataba kung maimili ako ng pagkain. Maganda yung nangyari sa akin na napunta ako sa magagaling na mga doctor,” she added.