MANILA – Veteran broadcaster and former Vice President Noli de Castro is in stable condition and recovering smoothly after undergoing a successful surgical procedure, his family confirmed on December 14, 2025. The 76-year-old ABS-CBN news anchor, known for his iconic “Magandang Gabi Bayan” and long-running radio show “Kabayan,” was admitted to a private hospital earlier this week for a planned operation, though details on the specific nature of the surgery remain private at the family’s request.
In a short statement shared via ABS-CBN, de Castro’s children thanked supporters for their prayers: “Our father is now okay and resting comfortably after a successful surgery. He appreciates the outpouring of love and well-wishes from his listeners, viewers, and friends.” The family asked for continued privacy during his recovery period, adding that the procedure was “routine and precautionary.”
De Castro, a fixture in Philippine media for over five decades, has been a reassuring voice through crises—from the EDSA Revolution coverage to daily news bulletins. His health update comes as a relief to fans who flooded social media with #GetWellSoonKabayan messages upon news of his hospitalization.
The broadcast legend is expected to return to his duties once cleared by doctors, with colleagues like Karen Davila and Ted Failon sending public get-well shouts during their programs. In a nation where “Kabayan Noli” has been a household name synonymous with straight-talking journalism, his recovery feels like a collective sigh of relief—proof that even icons need a pause, but the voice of the people endures.