'Hindi siya issue': Kara David unbothered about 12-year age gap with husband LM Cancio
Multi-awarded broadcast journalist and i-Witness host Kara David finds nothing newsworthy about her 12-year age gap with her husband of eight years, LM Cancio.
In the July 29 episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, David, 52, shared how their ages are a non-issue.
"Ang issue lang siguro do'n ay hindi kami nagkaroon ng biological na anak namin. Nu'ng nagkakilala kami, hindi na ako pwedeng magbuntis kasi masyado na 'kong matanda," David said.
She met Cancio, a singer-songwriter who also works as a seafarer, when the latter was performing at an event. In a 2023 episode of the podcast Updated with Nelson Canlas, David said she fell "in love at first hear" after hearing Cancio introduce himself onstage.
The couple was married on Jan. 6, 2018.
"Pero ang nagustuhan ko kasi sa asawa ko, tinuring niya talagang anak niya 'yung anak ko. So that counts. Hindi issue ['yung age gap]," David said.
Her daughter graduated from college in 2022. David has not publicly disclosed the identity of her daughter's father.
According to her, the only time an age gap between a couple becomes problematic is if there is unequal power involved.
"It becomes a problem of power kasi sexual harassment na 'yun," David said. "'Yung sa age, sa totoo lang, 'wag lang menor de edad."
As long as both parties are at the "age of discernment, adults na pareho, kahit na malaki 'yung age gap, 'yung maturity [level] naman, nababase hindi lang naman sa edad," David added.
Long-distance relationship
It isn't just their age gap that provides some gossip fodder, but also their long-distance marriage. As a seafarer, Cancio is frequently away. However, his long periods at sea have given him and his wife something to look forward to whenever he comes home.
"Totoo, mahirap 'yung LDR," David told Abunda, referring to long-distance relationships. "Pero kailangan mong hanapin...sabi nga ni Catriona Gray, 'yung silver lining."
"Tuwing umuuwi 'yung asawa ko, honeymoon. Parang bago nang bago. Kasi ang tagal niyong hindi nagkita. So excited kayo every single time na magkikita kayo," David said.
When the excitement wears off, it's Cancio's job that steps in once more.
"'Pag nandito siya nang medyo matagal, tapos medyo nagkakainisan na kayo, ayun, kontrata na niya," David laughed, referring to when Cancio begins to serve another job contract out at sea, requiring him to leave again for a long period.
'Bipolar is my superpower'
David has been candid about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, she doesn't see her condition as something to suffer from, and instead sees it as a blessing.
"'Yung bipolar, while it's called bipolar disorder, if you learn to accept it and you learn to seek the right help, it's a gift; it's not a curse," David said.
"In my case, dahil natuto akong yakapin 'yung aking condition, at humingi ako ng tulong sa mga doktor, at pinaliwanag ito sa aking pamilya, I actually view it as a gift. It's my superpower."
According to the World Health Organization, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by manic and depressive episodes. It affects a person's mood, energy, and thoughts.
"You have two phases: you have a phase na manic na manic ka, tapos meron kang phase na depressive ka. 'Yung manic na manic ka, that's the time that you're super creative, super mabilis mag-isip, ang lakas ng loob mo," David explained.
She uses her condition to become a better journalist.
"Kapag nandun ako sa point na medyo mataas, ang bilis ko mag-isip, ang bilis ko magsulat ng script. I'm more bold. Mas malakas ang loob kong gumawa ng mga bagay-bagay," David said.
However, she added, for a person to see the best in the condition, it needs to be well-managed.
"Kailangan i-manage mo siya para hindi ka umabot sa sobrang manic na magka-crash ka," she said, adding that it cannot be managed alone. A person with bipolar disorder needs the care of doctors, understanding of family and friends, and support from an informed community.
"Sana 'yung community, hindi kami tinitingnan as baliw, luka-luka, krung krung. Kasi kung matututo kang tanggapin 'yung condition mo, you can make it work for you, not against you," David said.
