Ginulat ang publiko kahapon, July 16, 2023, ng balitang pagpanaw ng dating teen star turned television/movie director na si Ricky Rivero.
Kinumpirma sa PEP.ph ng tiyo ni Ricky na si Phillip Salvador ang malungkot na balita.
Read: Actor-director Ricky Rivero dies at 51
Mayo ng taong ito nang ma-stroke si Ricky, dahilan para maratay siya sa Philippine Heart Center.
Read: Actor-director Ricky Rivero suffers heart attack
Bumuhos naman ang pakikiramay para sa mga mahal sa buhay at naulila ng dating That's Entertainment mainstay.
"MY RICK ASTLEY"
Ramdam ang lungkot ng aktres at malapit na kaibigan ni Ricky na si Harlene Bautista sa biglaang pamamaalam nito.
"My dance partner, my favorite lifter, my Rick Astley. Magka-chat lang tayo mga two days ago. Iniisip ko kasi kung paano,” pagbabalik tanaw ni Harlene sa Instagram.
Si Rick Astley ang English singer-songwriter na popular noong 1980s at nagpasikat ng mga kantang "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Whenever You Need Somebody," at "Together Forever."
Dagdag pa ni Harlene, “Pahinga ka na. Alam mo yun na mahal kita at alam ko mahal mo kami nila Kuya.
"Salamat sa pagkakaibigan at sa tawanang walang humpay. I love you."
Nag-iwan naman ng mensahe sa comments section ng post ni Harlene ang ilan pa nilang kaibigan sa showbiz at dating kasamahan sa That's Entertainment.
"So sad, Bebs. Hard to grasp," komento ng aktres na si Jennifer Sevilla.
"Oh no!" reaksyon naman ni Almira Muhlach.
ON TO A BETTER PLACE
Very touching din ang mensahe ng aktres at pinsan ni Ricky na si Jobelle Salvador.
AniJobelle sa Facebook, "I am still in denial of your demise and I don’t have enough words to express my sadness.
"We were just planning another get-together this month and I was looking forward to that… I know how much you needed help and your medication.
"I am so sorry I couldn’t bring you what I promised sooner. It was just a matter of days."
Tinuldukan na raw ng Diyos ang paghihirap ni Ricky at nasa "better place" na ang namayapang pinsan.
"Your memories will be forever in my mind and in the hearts of all the people that you’ve touched with your smiles and laughter.
"I so love you Ricky, rest in peace Ricky S. Rivero.”
A GOOD MOTIVATOR
Para kay singer-actor Guji Lorenzana, naging malaking tulong si Ricky sa kanya noong nagsisimula pa lang siya sa showbiz.
“One of the first directors I ever worked with passed away today. He brought out confidence in me and helped me so much during my early taping days on some of my first-ever projects at ABS-CBN," sambit ni Guji.
"Somewhere in my heart days are so special to me. I will never forget you, Direk Ricky S. Rivero. Rest in peace."
BISTEK REACTS
Nag-post din sa social media ang actor-turned politician na si Herbert Bautista.
Sabi ni Herbert, “Malungkot na araw dahil sa pagpanaw ng isang kaibigan at kasamahan sa pelikula at telebisyon. Paalam, Ricky.
"Nakikiramay ang aming pamilya sa Salvador at Rivero Families."
Nagkasama sa ilang proyekto, kasama na ang proyektong Ninja Kids, sina Herbert at Ricky noong kabataan nila.
"VERY PROFESSIONAL AND FULL OF PASSION"
Hindi naman malilimutan ng singer-actor na si Ronnie Liang ang pagiging dedicated sa trabaho ni Ricky.
Kuwento ni Ronnie sa kanyang Facebook post, “Ghost Adventures tv series on sari sari channel Cignal was the 1st time I’d worked with Mr. Ricky Rivero, as our Director, he was a hard-working guy, very professional & full of passion for his craft.
"It’s a great honor & privilege working with Direct Ricky. Rest in Peace Direct and my condolences to his family."
MEMORIES OF RICKY
Inalala rin ng dating aktres na si Bunny Paras ang masasayang araw na nakasama niya ang yumaong aktor at direktor.
Komento ni Bunny sa Facebook, "Paalam Direk Ricky S. Rivero my deepest condolences to his family and to my sister Sharmaine Arnaiz who was a really good friend of kuya Ricky.
"Thank you at nagka work tayo long time ago sa That’s Entertainment and nag outing sa beach memories. May you rest in peace kuya."
Ilan pa sa mga kasamahan sa showbiz ni Ricky na nagparating ng pakikiramay ay sina Niño Muhlach, Maricel Morales, Melissa Gibbs, at Lassy Marquez.
Samantala, nakalagak ang labi ni Ricky sa Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium sa Commonwealth, Matandang Balara, Quezon City.