Donita Rose is leaving the ABS-CBN morning show “Umagang Kay Ganda.”

An emotional Donita, who joined the program in 2007, had a tearful farewell on the show on Friday.

“Hindi sana ako iiyak. Gusto kong umalis na isipin niyo lahat ay kasiyahan. Magkakasama kami for almost five years na at minsan nami-misinterpret ako when I’m trying to help pero for you to say na kita mo ang nasa puso ko at sincerity ko that means so much to me. Kasi ang relationship dito kahit hindi ako in the limelight at di ako nabibigyan ng pagkakataon to express like what I want to do, pinaka-importante sa akin ang friendship. Hindi bale ang show marami namang show diyan kung gusto ko but it’s the friendship. It’s bitter sweet at mami-miss ko talaga kayo, ” Donita said, while crying.

Donita said she is leaving the show to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. Currently, she is taking up culinary studies at Academy for International Culinary Arts.

“Napakahirap pala (maging chef) pero isa itong passion na matagal na matagal ko ng pangarap na subukan,” she said.

Donita, whose real name is Donita Rose Cavett-Villarama, returned to Manila from Singapore to be part of the ABS-CBN morning program in 2007.

Donita, who was also part of the sitcom “Ober Da Bakod,” is also known for doing wholesome comic roles.