Actress Kaye Abad opened up about one of the most difficult chapters of her life, revealing that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025 but has now been declared cancer-free by her doctor.
As part of her birthday celebration, Kaye released an emotional vlog on May 17 documenting her battle with cancer, a journey she began filming without knowing what lay ahead.
At the start of the vlog, Kaye shared the moment she finally received the news she had been waiting for from her doctor.
“She declared, as of now you can declare that you’re a survivor and you’re cancer free…I’ve been waiting for this day,” Kaye said as she hugged her husband, Paul Jake Castillo, while crying.
Reflecting on the journey, the actress shared clips and moments from the past year and admitted that fear and uncertainty accompanied her every step.
“From the very first day na nag start ako mag film for this vlog, wala akong idea what was ahead of me. I didn’t know what treatments I would go through, how hard the journey would be, or if I would even survive it. For 1 year ang daming moments of uncertainties. But also so much faith, hope, and love that carried me through. And today I can finally say, I am a cancer survivor,” she wrote in the caption.
Kaye described the vlog as especially meaningful since it was released on her birthday and captured an entire year of her breast cancer journey, including struggles with melasma, brain fog, stress, and maintaining a strict diet.
“I didn’t pretend I wasn’t sick. I just pretended to be well,” Kaye maintained.
Her story began in early January 2025 when she finally agreed to undergo a mammogram after health concerns first emerged in 2024 when she experienced prolonged abdominal pain.
“Last September (2024), sumasakit yung tiyan ko. I thought, the normal hyperacidity attack ko. But then, na-alarm ako kasi it would last [for] six hours. Nagpa-full stomach ultrasound ako and nakita nila na meron akong multiple stones sa gallbladder.”
After undergoing gallbladder stone removal surgery, Kaye said her gastroenterologist suggested she undergo a mammogram because of her age. Though initially hesitant which made her postpone it until after the holidays, she eventually pushed through. Aside from the mammogram, doctors also monitored a cyst found in her ovary during an ultrasound.
Together with Paul Jake, Kaye went to a hospital in Cebu for the tests. In the vlog, she even showed herself undergoing the mammogram, admitting that the pain was manageable.
By January 14, she received the mammogram results while preparing for an ultrasound. Though nervous, Kaye held tightly to her faith. Soon after, her Obstetrician-Gynecologist discussed the results with Kaye, describing the mammogram findings as “really suspicious,” while noting that there are symptoms associated with breast cancer.
“While the doctor was talking, parang lumulutang ang mga words na sinasabi niya. Parang hindi ko ma-absorb. Ang clear lang sa akin is yung sinabi niya na from the photo of the mammogram it’s 95% malignant,” Kaye said in her vlog.
Unable to process the news alone, Kaye immediately called Paul Jake, who was then in Surigao.
“Pag-inform ko sa kaniya sa sinabi ng doctor, doon nag-sink in sa akin ang lahat,” Kaye wrote in the captions of her vlog.
Despite the emotional blow, Kaye remained hopeful.
“I’m just hoping na early stage pa lang siya. I know I’ll be okay. God is good. I know everything will be okay and kaya ko ‘to.”
She also informed her sister, Sarah, asking for prayers and support while requesting that their mother remain unaware of her condition for the meantime to spare her from worry.
The following day, Kaye and Paul Jake consulted a breast surgeon who confirmed that she had a mass in her breast and that she was positive for breast cancer.
On January 16, the couple gathered their loved ones to share the diagnosis. Paul Jake took the lead in speaking as Kaye sat beside him, visibly emotional.
Both became emotional as they asked family members to help care for their children while treatment was underway.
“We decided to do all the tests and procedures sa Singapore,” Paul Jake said.
“Please take care of the kids while we are not home…Only my sister knows. My mom…I’ll try to hide it until I will be okay because I don’t want her to worry,” Kaye said.
By January 18, the couple explained why they chose to seek treatment in Singapore, citing encouraging stories from other patients.
“I hope I will hear the same thing,” Kaye said. “Ako high hopes ako,” Paul Jake added.
“Ako rin naman. Alam kong hindi ako pababayaan ni Lord because He’s always been there ever since. Kahit dalaga pa ako never akong pinabayaan. Hanggang sa nagka-asawa ako, nagka-anak ako, walang problema. Mataas yung faith ko kay God na hindi niya ako pababayaan. God is good, always. I know he’s just there, ngayon pa, I know ngayong mas kailangan ko siya, hindi niya ako pababayaan,” Kaye said as she turned emotional.
Before leaving for Singapore, the actress shared heartbreaking moments with their sons, Pio Joaquin and Iñigo Leon, who played beside her without fully understanding what she was about to face.
“This is the most heart-wrecking part…I will miss these guys. I hope I won’t be staying too long there,” she said while crying.
Her sons comforted her, with her eldest, Pio Joaquin, reassuring her that everything would be alright.
“Ang hirap magpaalam na wala kang idea kung kailan ka babalik,” she wrote in the caption.
As she and Paul Jake traveled from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Singapore, Kaye admitted to feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty.
“Halo-halong emosyon… kabado kasi hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ng mga doctor dito, kung anong treatments ang kailangan kong gawin, kung dito ba sa Singapore gagawin yung mga treatments, at kung gaano kami katagal mag-stay dito,” she added.
“Pero walang takot. Walang halong takot kasi alam kong hindi ako pababayaan ng Diyos,” she continued.
The latter part of her vlog chronicled her treatments and medical checkups in Singapore, including the medicines she took and her efforts to continue documenting the experience despite the physical and emotional toll. At one point, she was joined by close friend and former Tabing Ilog co-star Paolo Contis.
Now, after a year marked by uncertainty, tears, and resilience, Kaye said her doctors have finally given her the news she long prayed for, declaring that she is cancer-free and proudly calls herself a survivor.
