Both Ashley Rivera and Kara David were moved to tears as the Kapuso journalist delivered an emotional message to the actress, who is staying strong for her mother battling stage 4 lung cancer.
During Ashley's recent guesting on Kara's podcast "i-Listen," she opened up about her mother's current condition, who is confined in the hospital.
READ: Ashley Rivera on her mother's cancer battle: 'I shouldn't show that I'm crying'
"When you're down, there's no other way but up," Ashley said.
Kara shared that she has come to know Ashley beyond her cheerful and funny persona as an actress.
"Now we know why Ashley is like this—because she has a strong mother behind her. It's true. They say that behind every child who believes in himself is a mother who believed first," the Kapuso journalist said.
"That's why you are the way you are now, because your mother believed in you," Kara continued.
"I want to thank my mom for giving me this confidence, this audacity. Because she herself would say, 'You can do it, you can do it. Be strong, be strong,'" Ashley said.
Kara admired Ashley for being able to make people laugh even while holding back tears.
"In the top 10 challenges I've faced, this is number one. Nothing compares, top one. Lord, I don't want anymore. I don't know what the next battle will be after this," Ashley said.
Later, Kara conveyed her message to Ashley.
"But I want to tell you this. You have been the happy pill of a lot of people. We know you can do it because you're brave. But when you can't anymore, Ash, we're here. Okay?" Kara said, reaching out to Ashley.
"It's okay to be weak once in a while, isn't it? It's okay to be weak once in a while. When you can't anymore, just call," Kara added.
The Kapuso journalist advised Ashley not to carry the burden alone.
"And whatever happens, I know that your mom is very, very, very happy and proud of you. You are a blessing to her. And even if she passes, remember that our mothers are like glue. You don't see them, but they hold us together," Kara said.
"We are thankful to your mom because without her, we wouldn't have our happy pill, Ashley Rivera. Now I have a deeper appreciation of who your mother is. To be able to raise someone as beautiful, strong, intelligent, and funny as you—your mom must be three times as beautiful, humorous, and intelligent," Kara told Ashley.
On April 1, Ashley publicly shared that her mother has cancer.
In 2019, Kara's mother, Karina David, former head of the Civil Service Commission, passed away at the Philippine Heart Center. (READ: Kara David says goodbye to mom Karina)