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It was time for the Batis ng Katotohanan to bare her truth and pain.

This iconic character from Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre is portrayed by versatile comedian and podcast host Ashley Rivera, who sat down for an exclusive interview with Kara David on i-Listen to talk about her struggle as her mom battles stage 4 lung cancer.

Ashley, also known as Petra Mahalimuyak, recalled the day she found out about her mom's serious illness.

“There was a time, Feb. 24, that's when I found out that my mom has stage 4 lung cancer, metastasized to the bone. Yung time na 'to, talagang parang gumuho 'yung mundo ko. Iyak ako nang iyak from morning until night,” Ashley told Kara.

She continued, “And then sabi ng handler ko, 'Oh, kailangan ng posting. Bahala ka na kung ano gusto mong content.'”

“And knowing na medyo siraulo 'yung mga content ko, naisip ko, okay, iinom ako. Tapos, sho-shot ako, magli-lip sync ako, tapos umiiyak ako. Tapos bigla akong gaganun (motions with her shoulder).”

“Tapos dumami 'yung views nun, so people didn't really know kung ano 'yung nangyayari sa buhay ko that time. They thought it was just one of those contents. So when I cry sa mga content ko, most of the time it's because I was really going through something. It's real tears, it's not acting. May pinagdadaanan ako or katatapos ko lang mag-breakdown.”

Kara David also recalled her encounter with Ashley's mom when she guested on her show.

The Sparkle actress described her mother as a “super stage mom.”

“Gusto ko mag-artista, 'Ma'—sasamahan niya ako sa audition. Nag-DJ ako, andun siya kasama ko. Nagti-taping ako, andiyan siya kahit madaling araw. She's always with me.”

Now that her family is going through a difficult time due to her mom's diagnosis, Ashley admitted it has been painful to see her in so much discomfort.

“Yun nga, knowing na may sakit siya ngayon, it's just so hard. Kasi sa mga guesting, taping, lagi ko siyang kasama. Andiyan siya, nagvi-video.”

“Saka sobra 'yung tiwala niya sa akin. Even nung sa Chika Minute, andun din siya, nanonood siya. Very supportive.”

“And then now, almost three weeks na kami nasa hospital—highs and lows talaga. Iniisip ko, 'Oh my God, hanggang kailan na lang ba ito?'”

“Or mawawalan ka ng hope kasi ang payat na niya, tapos hirap na hirap na siya. Alam ko na hindi ko dapat pinapakita na umiiyak ako, kasi siya mismo nawawalan ng pag-asa kapag nakikita niya kaming malungkot.”

Despite the circumstances, Ashley said she tries her best to stay strong for her mom, though it has been overwhelming.

“I try my best to smile and make her laugh. Kapag umiiyak ako sa hospital tapos titingin siya sa akin, sasabihin ko, 'Acting lang!'”

“Ang hirap na hindi ipakita na nahihirapan ako, na nalulungkot, na nasasaktan ako. It's so hard seeing my mom—my best friend—going through all that. I feel so helpless. But every single day is a blessing, and it's a miracle na nandito pa rin siya.”

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