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Actress-comedienne Ashley Rivera turned emotional during her guest appearance on Kapuso journalist Kara David's podcast after opening up about her mother's ongoing battle with stage 4 lung cancer.

In the recent episode of i-Listen, Ashley shared the difficult reality of seeing her mother confined in the hospital while trying to stay strong for their family.

“When you're down, there's no other way but up,” Ashley said as she reflected on coping with the painful situation.

Kara, meanwhile, spoke about seeing a different side of Ashley beyond her cheerful and comedic image on screen.

“Alam na natin ngayon kung ba't ganito si Ashley because she has a strong mother behind her. Hindi, pero totoo 'yun. 'Di ba sabi nila, behind every child who believes in himself is a mother who believed first,” Kara said.

“Kaya ka ganiyan ngayon, because naniwala sa'yo ang nanay mo,” she added.

Ashley then thanked her mother for helping shape the confidence she carries today.

“I wanna thank my mom for giving me this confidence. 'Yung kapal mukha ko. Kasi siya mismo, 'Kaya mo 'yan, kaya mo 'yan. Kaya mo 'yan. Be strong, be strong, be strong,'” Ashley shared.

Despite becoming emotional during the interview, Ashley still managed to joke around, something Kara said she deeply admired.

Ashley also admitted that her mother's illness has been the hardest challenge she has ever faced.

“Sa top 10 na pinagdaanan ko, number one talaga 'to. Wala nang tatapat dito, top one. Lord, ayoko na ha. Ewan ko na lang kung ano pang susunod na battle pagkatapos nito,” she said.

Toward the latter part of the conversation, Kara offered words of comfort to the actress.

“But I want to tell you this. You have been the happy pill of a lot of people. Alam namin kakayanin mo 'yan kasi matapang ka. Pero 'pag hindi mo na kaya, Ash, andito kami. Okay?” Kara told Ashley while reaching for her hand.

“Puwedeng maging mahina once in a while. 'Di ba? Puwedeng maging mahina once in a while. 'Pag hindi mo na kaya, tawag ka lang,” she added.

Kara also reminded Ashley not to carry the burden alone and assured her that her mother is proud of everything she has become.

“At saka, whatever happens, I know that your mom is very, very, very, very, very happy and proud of you. Blessing ka sa kaniya. And mawala man siya, tandaan mo na ang mga nanay natin para silang mga glue, para silang mga pandikit. Hindi mo sila nakikita but they hold us together,” Kara said.

She went on to praise Ashley's mother for raising someone who brings joy to many people.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa nanay mo kasi kung wala yung nanay mo, wala kaming happy pill na Ashley Rivera. Ngayon, nagkakaroon ako ng mas malawak na appreciation of who your mother is. My God. Para to be able to raise someone as beautiful and as strong and as intelligent and as funny as you. Siguro times three sa beauty, humor, and intelligence si mommy,” Kara added.

Ashley first revealed her mother's cancer diagnosis publicly on April 1.

RELATED GALLERY: Ashley Rivera, naluha sa hirap na pinagdaanan ng ina na may lung
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