Radio personality Nicole Hyala has revealed she has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, a revelation that she hopes would be an encouragement for others to take better care of their health.
Nicole, whose real name is Emmylou Gaite-Tinana first publicly opened up about her health on the popular 90.7 Love Radio show, posting a clip of its episode on her social media platforms.
So… I just found out I have thyroid cancer. 💔 And surprisingly, I am calm. But before you panic, ayon sa mga eksperto,…
Posted by Nicole Hyala on Monday, June 23, 2025
“So… I just found out I have thyroid cancer. 💔 And surprisingly, I am calm,” she wrote in the caption. “But before you panic, ayon sa mga eksperto, thyroid cancer is often called the ‘friendliest’ cancer. And that’s good, because I’ve already been through worse.”
“I’ve faced battles that broke me, seasons that nearly crushed me. But here I am still standing, still smiling, still kumikinang. This is just another wave I know I can ride, with God beside me,” added Nicole.
While the diagnosis came as a surprise to the well-known DJ, she assured her followers that she remains anchored with optimism and faith.
“This diagnosis wasn’t part of my plan, but it’s part of God’s. And I know He’s walked with me through deeper valleys before, so I trust He’ll walk me through this too,” she said.
“Thyroid cancer. You’re just another name and I have faith in the One who’s above all names. So let’s do this, thyroid cancer. You picked the wrong girl. Mali ka ng kinalaban. Wag ako. Hahahahaha!” she concluded her post with her usual sense of humor.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Nicole shared that she found out about her disease from a phone call while filming in a noisy auto shop.
“Alam mo, nakakatawa, kasi when I found out about it, parang God really knows how to cushion the blow. Kasi nalaman ko siya, I was doing a content for a brand sa isang talyer,” the DJ recalled having the serious conversation with her doctor.
“So nung sinabi niya ‘yung carcinoma, parang hindi siya masyadong… ‘yung blow wasn’t as much. So parang feeling ko God really has His ways, na He didn’t make it so dramatic, parang ganon. And then, parang I just had to deal with it,” she added.
The host also shared in the same interview that she is “asymptomatic” and wouldn’t have known about the cancer if not for a routine check-up prompted by migraines.
After a benign result in 2023, a follow-up in early 2025 revealed carcinoma, leading to her upcoming full thyroidectomy scheduled for July. She will also undergo radioactive iodine treatment which involves isolation, something that worries her as an “extrovert” and an “overthinker”.
While admitting about her concerns toward potential risks to her vocal cords, Nicole says her medical team is taking every precaution to preserve her voice—something she treasures deeply as a longtime radio personality.
“There’s a risk, but it’s 1%. Doon tayo natatakot sa possible risk, ‘di ba? So, but I’m, you know, in the same way that God has always been there for me in all the trials, then maybe this is something that I will also go through. And then, pagtatagumpayan ko ito,” she said.
“[…] Gusto natin, hindi tamaan talaga ‘yung aking vocal cords. And ‘yun naman din ‘yung assurance sa akin [ng doctors], na the very first thing that they’re going to do. I want to maintain this voice,” she said.
Nicole explained that her optimism comes from having endured greater challenges—particularly her 12-year-old daughter’s life-threatening battle with viral meningo encephalitis in 2021, which she described as a far more “major” challenge as a mother.
Seeing her daughter now fully recovered gives her confidence that she will also overcome her own battle.
Concluding the interview, Nicole hopes that by going public with her diagnosis, despite her husband’s worries, she can inspire others to prioritize their health and stay strong in the face of such hardships.
“Noong una nga ‘yung asawa ko nagreklamo. Sabi niya, ‘Why did you have to share this?’ Sabi ko, because I know I’m going to overcome this and this will always be a testimony,” she asserted her optimistic view.
Nicole’s advice to those battling cancer: “Manatiling maganda sa gitna ng lahat. I have talked to a lot of people already even before not knowing that I would ever encountered the big C. Kadalasan ‘yung kalaban niya is ‘pag nag-give up na ‘yung person.”
“So kaya ako, nandun ako sa I will overcome it and I will not let this overcome me. Six years old lang po ‘yung bunso ko. I have so much to do. I have so many people to, you know, still entertain. So I have a long way to go. So definitely, pagtatagumpayan ‘yan,” she ended. “I will overcome it, and I will not let this overcome me. I have so much more to do.”
The 43-year-old host has long been a familiar voice on the radio through 90.7 Love Radio, where her trademark humor and bubbly personality have earned her a following throughout her radio career.
Her revelation post quickly drew an outpouring of love and support from fans, friends, and fellow celebrities, many praising her strength and positive outlook.
“Praying for your recovery, sis! 🙏,” Senator Bam Aquino commented on her Facebook post.
“Get well soon Tita Nicole! Kayang kaya yan ng Nagiisang Radyo Queen! 👑 ✊🙏❤️”, a local clothing brand expressed its support.
“Praying for strength, healing, and peace for our beloved colleague in the media industry. Standing with you in hope and recovery. We believe in your journey back to health,” Cebu-based radio station 96.3 WRock penned to Hyala.
“Praying for you and the success of your surgery and treatment.🙏🙏🙏”, a follower, who also shared similar diagnosis with Nicole, wrote.
In response, Nicole shared a lighthearted message of gratitude on Facebook, writing, “Thank you for all your comforting messages. Pero ‘pag sinabi n’yong pagdadasal n’yo ako, pagdasal n’yo talaga ako ha.”
She added with a touch of humor, “Gawain ko din kasi ‘yan—sasabihin kong ipagdadasal ko, tapos nakakalimutan ko. Hahahaha! Community prayer works. Salamat sa lahat! 🙂 Okay lang po ako. 🙂”
