Behind every funny and silly character we see on television, there are unexpected stories full of bitterness and sacrifice. This is what seasoned comedian Kitkat Favia once again proved in an exclusive interview with veteran journalist Julius Babao. Amidst the colorful surroundings of her sports bar business in Cubao, Kitkat chose to be real and take off the mask of being an actress to share the true state of her life as a wife and mother.
Kitkat’s viral post, in which she seemingly “gave up” on her husband Walby Favia and said she wanted to “give him back to his mother,” has become a hot topic on social media. Although many thought it was just a joke, Kitkat admitted that the post was the result of extreme fatigue and emotional crisis during their 17-year marriage. According to the actress, in recent months they have been going through what she calls a “marriage struggle” that has tested their stability as a couple.
“I’m tired too,” Kitkat honestly stated [00:33]. She explained that according to some experts, men also go through a kind of crisis after having children, or what is called a “midlife crisis.” In the midst of these times, Kitkat admitted that there were times when her husband “lost his way.” Despite repeated offers of help, he reached a point where he wanted to give up because of the weight of the burden.
What hurts the comedian even more is the impact it has had on their 3-year-old son. As a breastfeeding advocate and hands-on mother, her son can feel every drop of her tears and the weight of her heart. Kitkat recounted a time when the child told her father, “Daddy, say sorry to mommy. She is sad.” Moments like these made Kitkat think twice: should she stay for the sake of her family, or leave for her own peace and for the sake of her son, who witnessed their conflict.
In fact, Kitkat admitted that she had already decided to divorce her husband. “I really divorced him,” she said [ 34:33 ]. But Walby refused and repeatedly apologized. For now, they are slowly trying to repair their relationship. They plan to go to America as a family to relax and rediscover the “spark” that seemed to have been lost due to too much focus on work and business.
Aside from family matters, she also couldn’t avoid being asked about the unforgettable issue between her and Jano Gibbs in 2021 on the program “Happy Time.” Kitkat boldly stated that she still hasn’t forgiven the actor [ 38:54 ]. For her, the incident of cursing and humiliating her in front of many people is a deep wound and a violation of her character that is difficult to erase. She emphasized that although she is a professional at work, the trauma caused by that incident still remains in her heart.
Despite these challenges, Kitkat remains steadfast. He shares his inspirations from his late mentors Dolphy and Chocolate. From them, he learned the importance of humility and dedication to making people happy no matter what they feel. “You just have to be organic,” is his advice to aspiring comedians [ 46:44 ]. For him, being a comedian cannot be learned; it is a natural trait that God has given him.
Currently, Kitkat is busy with her businesses—from a sports bar, a Japanese restaurant, to being a supplier of various products. Although she has been turned down for big television projects because of her priority to her son, the actress has promised that she will not completely disappear from the public eye. She has projects in the pipeline and a return as a TV host that will surely delight her fans.
Kitkat Favia’s story is a reminder that the life of an artist is not all glitter and laughter. Like ordinary people, they too are hurt, tired, and fight for their families. In the end, what matters is the courage to face the truth and the continuous effort to rebuild the broken trust for a brighter tomorrow.
