Ate Gay

Gil Aducal Morales (Tagalog: [hilmoˈralɛs]; 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. 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

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. He is best known for his Ate Gay persona, an impression of actress Nora Aunor, whose nickname was Ate Guy. 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."

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. 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..

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.

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. 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. He then portrayed Elsa in the drama action series Batang Quiapo from 2023 to 2024.

Ate Gay is also known for his comedic mashups of popular songs.

Personal life

In March and April 2021, Ate Gay was hospitalized for severe pneumonia. Then in June that year, he was hospitalized for toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

In September 2025, Ate Gay disclosed that he was diagnosed with stage IV mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Filmography

Film

Television

Notes

External links

• at IMDb