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Ate Gay | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gil Aducal Morales August 12, 1971 Tondo, Manila, Philippines |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1995–present |
Gil Aducal Morales[1] (Tagalog: [hil moˈralɛs]; born August 12, 1971) is a Filipino comedian and television host. Known professionally as Ate Gay (Tagalog: [ˈʔate]), he is an impersonator of actress Nora Aunor, whose nickname was Ate Guy.[a] He co-presented the variety shows Comedy Bar (2010–11) and Wowowillie (2013). He is also known for his comedic mashups of popular songs.
Career
[edit]Morales was a member of the Singing Cooks and Waiters of Barrio Fiesta restaurant. In 1995, he started performing in comedy bars, particularly Music Box.[2][3] He is best known for his Ate Gay persona, an impression of actress Nora Aunor, whose nickname was Ate Guy.[a][4] Morales said of the actress: "I became a fan of Nora Aunor when I started working. I'm very grateful to her … She was supportive of her impersonators. She was not selfish. She didn't stop us from impersonating her."[5]
As Ate Gay, he performed stand-up comedy and made film and television appearances. He was a regular performer at the comedy bars Klownz and Zirkoh, both owned and founded by Allan K.. In 2009, Ate Gay met Boobay who was then starting his stand-up career in Baguio. Ate Gay invited Boobay to Klownz, allowing the latter to establish himself in Manila.[6][7] Ate Gay was also a co-host of the variety show Comedy Bar (2010–11) on GMA, supporting the main hosts Eugene Domingo and Allan K..[8]
On November 30, 2012, Ate Gay headlined his first major concert, Ako Naman… Ate Gay sa Arena, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Among his guest performers were the SexBomb Girls, KZ Tandingan, The Company, Aegis, Aiza Seguerra, Allan K., Boobay, John Lapus, Kevin Balot, and Nora Aunor as the special guest.[9]
In 2013, Ate Gay was a co-host of the noontime variety show Wowowillie on TV5. On the February 28 episode, producer and main host Willie Revillame castigated Ate Gay and Ethel Booba on air. Revillame called the two co-hosts unprofessional and ungrateful after they were allegedly angry backstage for losing the costume contest, one of the show's segments.[10] Ate Gay eventually left Wowowillie in June due to several disagreements with the production staff, but made it clear that Revillame was not the reason for his departure.[11] He then portrayed Elsa in the drama action series Batang Quiapo from 2023 to 2024.[12]
Ate Gay is also known for his comedic mashups of popular songs.[2][3][13]
Personal life
[edit]In March and April 2021, Ate Gay was hospitalized for severe pneumonia.[b][14] Then in June that year, he was hospitalized for toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).[15]
In September 2025, Ate Gay disclosed that he was diagnosed with stage IV mucoepidermoid carcinoma.[4]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Sa Paraiso ni Efren | |
| 2001 | Kapitan Ambo: Outside de Kalambo | |
| 2006 | Jupit | Tetay |
| 2010 | Pendong[16] | Assunta |
| Mamarazzi | Impersonator | |
| 2013 | Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki | The midwife |
| 2014 | Maria Labo | |
| 2015 | Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers | Ora's costumer |
| 2021 | Ayuda Babes | Tet |
| 2022 | Yorme: The Isko Domagoso Story | Dindin |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | !Oka Tokat | Bona |
| 2007 | Whammy! Push Your Luck | Himself/Guest |
| 2010–2011 | Comedy Bar | Himself/host |
| 2012 | Extra Challenge | Himself/Guest |
| Sarah G. Live | Himself/Guest | |
| Gandang Gabi Vice | Himself/Guest | |
| 2013 | Wowowillie | Himself/host |
| Celebrity Bluff | Himself/Guest | |
| Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Himself | |
| Picture! Picture! | Himself/Guest | |
| Sunday All Stars | Himself/Guest | |
| 2014 | Tunay Na Buhay | Himself |
| Chef Boy Logro: Kusina Master | Himself/Guest | |
| Sarap Diva | Himself/Guest | |
| Sunday All Stars | Himself/Guest | |
| 2015 | Eat Bulaga! | Himself |
| Tonight with Arnold Clavio | Himself/Guest | |
| 2016 | Sunday PinaSaya | Himself/Guest |
| Rated K | Himself/Guest | |
| 2023–2024 | FPJ's Batang Quiapo | Elsa |
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Ate (Tagalog: [ˈʔate]) is a Filipino honorific for an elder sister or any young female perceived to be older than the speaker. See wikt:ate#Tagalog
- ^ He tested negative for COVID-19.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Mallorca, Hannah (September 21, 2025). "Ate Gay reveals stage 4 cancer diagnosis: 'Wala raw lunas'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "Ate back in the UAE". Khaleej Times. April 21, 2016. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Concepcion, Pocholo (January 31, 2016). "AlDub handlers decline P20-M Valentine show; producer taps Papa Jack, 3 hot comedy acts instead". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Mallorca, Hannah (September 22, 2025). "Ate Gay gets support from Allan K, other comedians amid cancer diagnosis". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Mallorca, Hannah (April 20, 2025). "Nora Aunor's impersonator Ate Gay performs 'Kahit Konting Awa' during wake". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Garcia, Cara Emmeline. "In Photos: Popular stand-up comedians at performers ng Klownz at Zirkoh". gmanetwork.com (in Filipino). GMA Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Malig, Kaela (July 4, 2020). "Boobay says his standup comedy career in Manila began at Klownz". GMA News. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Francisco, Butch (August 30, 2011). "A dose of laughter and entertainment". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Sibonga, Glen (December 2, 2012). "Ate Gay successfully stages first major concert in Arena". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on December 5, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Ranada, Pia (March 1, 2013). "Willie Revillame scolds Ethel Booba, Ate Gay on TV". Rappler. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Serato, Arniel C. (June 26, 2013). "Ate Gay will not return to Wowowillie because of his "tampo" with the production staff". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Antonio, Josiah (October 8, 2024). "4 'Batang Quiapo' characters bid farewell after chaotic rumble". MSN. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Alegre, Dianara (August 18, 2020). "Ate Gay continues to spread happiness amid pandemic". gmanetwork.com. GMA Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Biong, Ian (April 20, 2021). "Ate Gay recovers from pneumonia: 'Pangalawang buhay ko na raw ito'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "'Sana mapatawad niyo ako': Ate Gay says sorry to Vice Ganda for detailing his monetary help". ABS-CBN News. September 20, 2021. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Reyes, William R. (June 25, 2010). "Intriguing scenes at the premiere of indie film Pendong". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.