Kaye Abad reflected on the lessons she learned after surviving cancer, saying the experience gave her a deeper appreciation for life, family, health, and the time she has with her loved ones.
"Treasure life. Life is short. Totoo pala talaga 'yun," she said in an interview with Karmina Constantino on KC After Hours. "Like, I was just a normal giirl na nasa Cebu, have kids, very happy, very content biglang isang ganyan nagpa-check because of my gallblader... and then iyon na 'yun diagnosed, dere-derecho na, you have cancer, sabi ko ganun kabilis."
Following the experience, Kaye said she became even more intentional about spending time with her children and family.
"Treasure your time with your kids, with your family," she highlighted.
The actress shared that she now makes an effort to be present for her children’s activities, even when they involve things she would not normally do.
"'Yung 'pag may gusto sila kahit hindi ako mahilig mag-outdoor, kahit mainit, 'pag may soccer, sige sama si mommy. I will watch kasi [nagtatanong sila], 'Mommy, why don't you watch? My other classmates there mommies are there.' Sabi ko, 'Sige mommy will watch.' Kahit bawal akong mainitan, I will watch," she stated.
For Kaye, those seemingly simple moments have become even more meaningful.
"'Kaya 'yung sabi nga nila i-cherish mo na 'yan habang bata pa, habang they still want to be with you, i-cherish mo na na gusto nila na nandun ka, so i-cherish na yun."
The actress added that her desire to spend more time with her youngest child is also one of the reasons she is not rushing to accept another television series.
"Kaya rin siguro 'pag may offers na serye, hindi na muna siguro kasi baka pa 'yung youngest so I still want to be with him while growing. Siguro 'pag matanda na siya then if nandiyan pa 'yung industry for me, then why not, I will still go back," she stated.
Another lesson Kaye said she learned was the importance of forgiveness and letting go of negativity.
"Kung kayang to forgive 'yung mga taong nagkasalang mga kaaway, huwag ng magbuhos ng bad energy kung may nakaaway. Just forget, enjoy life," she pointed out.
She also emphasized the importance of taking care of one’s health. "And huwag mag-take advantage sa katawan. Number one your health," she remarked.
Kaye also admitted that the experience changed the way she looks at spending money.
"Kuripot kasi ako pero ngayon parang naisip ko... paano kung konti na lang 'yung days na nandito ako?" she said. "Ngayon, sige gusto ko naman pero' yung mga worth it bilhin, 'yung tipong timeless, hindi 'yung uso lang. So, medyo gumagastos na ako ng konti ngayon," she said.
It was in May when Kaye revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025 but had since been declared cancer-free by her doctor.
“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 shared on social media at that time.