Ricky Davao could pinpoint the exact moment he found his calling as an actor.
It was in the 1970s, while watching a stage production of A Flea in Her Ear by George Feydeau at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Pasay City, that Ricky first felt the spark that would ignite his passion for acting.
His father, Charlie Davao—already an established actor in Philippine cinema at the time—was part of the play along with actors Vic Silayan, Bernardo Bernardo, and a young Marilou Diaz-Abaya (who would later direct iconic Filipino films such as Brutal and Karnal), while the 13-year-old Ricky sat in the audience, mesmerized as scenes unfolded before him.
“That play fueled my desire to become an actor,” Ricky said in an old interview.
Notably, years later—and by then already a respected actor—Ricky would take part in the play’s 2019 restaging in the Philippines, retitled Baka Naman Hindi.
The play's director Arsenio "Nick" Lizaso told the media about Ricky's participation: "Not only is he a proven good actor in any genre, this play is also memorable for him for it was the very first production he saw in his youth, and it also had his father in the cast."
The desire to act was not fleeting for the then-teenager Ricky.
As it turned out, Ricky, who passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at age 63, because of cancer, would enjoy a long, fulfilling career as an actor in movies, theater, and television.
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) bids farewell to Ricky, a beloved figure both on and off camera, and a cherished friend to many in the entertainment industry, by looking back on his life and the legacy he leaves behind.
Read: Ricky Davao, binigyang-pugay ng mga kasamahan sa showbiz industry
ACTING GENES
That Ricky was drawn to acting isn’t surprising at all.
Born Frederick Charles Caballes Davao on May 30, 1961, he was the son of actor Charlie Davao and Emma Marie Abiera, a professor who taught the Spanish language at St. Theresa’s College.
In his eulogy for his father in August 2010, Ricky fondly remembered Charlie’s love for pulling pranks, often using his acting skills to make his children laugh.
“He would sometimes go home fully made up, tapos medyo aarte na nasaktan. Kami naman po aakayin namin siya paakyat ng kuwarto niya, tapos at saka niya kami yayakapin, sabay tatawa,” remembered Ricky.
Continued Ricky with a smile, “One time po umuwi siya, kinarga niya ako, humalik tapos lahat po ng nakaharap sa akin nagtatawanan.
"Yun pala lumalabas na po ang fangs niya kasi galing siya sa shooting ng isang pelikula na kung saan ay Dracula siya, kasama po si Tita Bella Flores."
However, their relationship as father and son, as Ricky pointed out, was far from perfect.
"Lagi niya kaming pinagsasabihan, pinapagalitan, paminsan-minsan napapalo,” said Ricky about his dad.
“Meron pong kasabihan na 'spare a rod and spoil a child,' in which we reacted like typical teenagers. Nagtatampo kami sa kanya, nakikipagtalo paminsan-minsan and, of course, in our young minds, he was wrong and we were right.”
But if there’s one big influence that Charlie passed on to his son, it was undeniably the love for acting and show business.
As a young boy, Ricky would watch some of his father’s movies, and they left a lasting impression on him.
“When I was young, I saw a film called Dugo ni Vampira, and my father was in it. It was enough to make me wish that one day soon, I’d be in horror films,” Ricky told The Philippine Star in a June 15, 2019, published article promoting the scare flick Clarita, where he portrayed the character of an exorcist.
Read: Charlie Davao fought bravely until the end
RICKY DAVAO: THE ACTOR
Interestingly, Ricky did not start his showbiz career as an actor.
He got his start in the entertainment business as a dancer for the Vicor Crowd, a group assembled to show choreographed dance steps of disco hits recorded by the likes of popular ‘70s bands like VST&Co and Hotdog.
But Ricky, like his father, was destined to act in front of the camera.
He made his debut as an actor in the movie Patayin si... Mediavillo starring and produced by the action king Fernando Poe Jr.
Despite his mestizo good looks, Ricky was never marketed as a matinee idol or someone who could be the lead star in movies.
This proved beneficial to Ricky’s decades-long career, as it allowed him to explore a wide range of roles without fear of being pigeonholed or bound to a fixed image, unlike some of his peers.
A glance at Ricky’s resume reveals that he appeared in many movies, from memorable ones to critically-acclaimed works, such as Totoo Ba ang Tsismis? (1981), Condemned (1984), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984), Misis Mo, Misis Ko (1988), Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya (1988), Bayaning 3rd World (1999), Saranggola (1999), and Crying Ladies (2003), to mention a few.
Ricky’s dedication as an actor was admirable, and his extensive body of work was a testament to his work ethic and untiring passion for the craft.
Ricky never played favorites when it came to roles.
His philosophy was that the more diverse the characters he got to portray, the better.
He readily took on projects from both mainstream studios and small independent production houses, often relishing the chance to portray more challenging, offbeat characters.
“I like immersing in roles that are my opposite in real life,” he told The Philippine Star.
“Big or small, the challenge is always there, and I have learned to enjoy every moment of it.”
However, there was a time when he admitted feeling concerned about being typecast in gay roles, as he was frequently cast in such characters, like in the movies Ang Lalake Sa Buhay Ni Selya, Mga Pusang Gala, and Parangal.
Ricky confided to PEP.ph in 2008: "Sinasabi kasi ng iba, baka ma-typecast na ako.
"Pero hindi pa rin naman
"Takot din akong umabot doon. Baka hindi na ako makaganap ng straight guy roles, di ba? So far, okey pa naman.
"Katuwiran ko kasi, okey na yung may ginagawa ako kesa wala. Role pa rin yan, e.
"As an actor, kahit sabihing gay yan, iba-iba pa rin ang challenge niyan.
"Ganoon lang ang attitude ko riyan kaya walang nagiging problema sa akin.
"Yun nga lang, kapag maselan ang eksena, kailangang ipaliwanag na mabuti sa akin kung ano ang gagawin ko."
Read: Ricky Davao on his gay roles: "Iba-iba pa rin ang challenge niyan."
AWARD-WINNING ARTIST
Ricky had the accolades to show for all his hard work in film, television, and theater.
He won his first FAMAS Award in 1990, taking home the Best Supporting Actor trophy for his portrayal of a rapist who married his victim in Abot Hanggang Sukdulan.
In 1995, he was named Best Supporting Actor in the Gawad Urian and FAP Awards for his performance in Ipaglaban Mo The Movie.
His role as a retired cop and solo parent in Sarrangola in 1999 earned Ricky successive Best Actor awards from the Metro Manila Film Festival, Gawad Urian, Cinemanila International Film Festival, and Star Awards.
In 2002, he picked up two Best Actor trophies, from Star Awards and Luna Awards, for his performance in Minsan May Isang Puso.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom International Filmmaker Film Festival in 2008 named Ricky Best Supporting Actor for his work in Signos.
Ricky was adjudged Best Supporting Actor at the 5th Golden Screen Awards in 2008 for his performance in Endo.
In 2017, Ricky won three Best Supporting Actor awards for three different movies from three different award-giving bodies: Dayang Asu (3rd ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards), Paki (Cinema One Originals Film Festival), and Iadya Mo Kami (FAMAS).
His performance as a gay mayor in the 2019 movie Fuccbois won him Best Supporting Actor in Cinemalaya, FAMAS, and Star Awards for Movies.
Ricky is also an acclaimed thespian, a fact proven by his induction to the Hall of Fame by Aliw Awards in 2008.
Some of his most memorable performances in theater are Bongbong At Kris, Larawan, Insiang, EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson, Baka Naman Hindi, and Silver Lining.
In 2007, Ricky flew to New York, U.S.A., to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Fanclubx.com, an organization of young Filipino-American actors and filmmakers.
"Sabi nila, kasi daw, I inspire them. Tiningnan daw nila ang aking body of work and nagustuhan nila. Siyempre, nakakatuwa, di ba?" said Ricky, who wondered initially why he was being recognized for an award usually given to senior citizens.
These were just some of the noteworthy awards that Ricky won throughout his illustrious career.
Read: Ricky Davao’s girlfriend pens heartfelt message for late actor
GREAT ACTOR, GOOD PERSON
As prolific as an actor Ricky was, many have attested to the man's amiable, gentle personality behind the camera.
Ricky was known as the life of the party, always game to sing and entertain guests and friends.
He loved striking up conversations, happily listening to others’ stories, and sharing his own with warmth and humor.
For one, Ricky was known for his down-to-earth nature, often appearing unaware or unconcerned about his status as an accomplished actor.
He didn’t believe in intimidating young actors or being overly critical of less experienced co-stars.
Instead, Ricky, who was also a director, believed in sharing his knowledge and offering encouragement, a way of paying it forward to the industry he had known and loved since childhood.
“I see to it that I do my work well as always. At this point in my career, I enjoy sharing things I learned from the ‘masters’ who I worked with,” confided Ricky to entertainment columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal in late 2024.
He described his approach to working with less capable co-stars as "diplomatic," choosing patience and guidance over criticism.
Ricky explained: “I share things with him or her, hoping they would understand and change their ways and inspire them to work harder and do better.
“I would tell them, you can get inspiration from your co-actors as well.”
For Ricky, building good relationships in the industry was just as important as delivering lines flawlessly and performing great in front of the camera.
“You will need to polish your art to become the best of what you can be. And the most important thing, you have to learn to work with others,” Ricky once said.
“Yes, even with actors that are less gifted. Because in this calling, you learn from everybody, from the director to fellow actors and even from extras.
“Acting is constant learning as you portray one role after another. I believe that is the life made for me because I like learning from people around me.”
RICKY DAVAO: A GOOD DAD
Ricky married actress Jackie Lou Blanco in 1989.
As the story goes, Ricky was originally set to sing to actress Snooky Serna in one of the segments of the Sunday musical-variety show GMA Supershow.
But fate had other plans.
When Snooky failed to appear, the show's producers asked Jackie Lou to step in.
Eventually, Ricky and Jackie Lou fell in love and tied the knot.
Ricky and Jackie Lou have three children: Kenneth, Rikki Mae, and Arabella.
The marriage, unfortunately, didn't last, and Ricky and Jackie Lou separated in 2011.
In a June 9, 2023, interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, Jackie Lou opened up about her regret following the end of their marriage.
"Kung meron akong babaguhin, sana hindi kami naghiwalay ni Ricky — kung mababago ko siya," said Jackie Lou.
"Only because I can see how affected my children were. Although they are very understanding, pero you know they have been affected in many ways. So sana hindi na lang para hindi sila naapektuhan in those ways."
As a father, Ricky was admired for being openly supportive of his children.
In 2016, Ricky talked about how he dealt with daughter Rikki's admission that she was a lesbian.
“You know, first time niyang binanggit sa akin ito, nagulat ako. Hindi ako nagalit pero nagulat ako kasi sabi ko, 'Gusto ko magkaroon ng apo sa yo,'” Ricky said in a guesting on Tonight with Boy Abunda.
“Bottom line, it’s respect. It’s I love you, kung ano man ang gusto mo, gawin mo. I will support you. Iyon lang, magulang ka.
"So ngayon, I’m very supportive kung ano man ang gusto niyang gawin."
Ricky had been in a romantic relationship with Mayeth Malca Darocca since 2022.
“It’s an open book. Kaya lang ako, I’m not very open about it. Ayoko naman magsinungaling," said Ricky when probed about his love life during a press conference for the movie Monday First Screening on June 12, 2023.
Continued Ricky: "I’m very, very outgoing person, but when it comes to myself, my family life, and my love life, siguro I share a bit.
"Even my closest friends, sina Tirso [Cruz III], sina Rez [Cortez], Michael [de Mesa], biglang nagugulat, 'Ay, meron ka na pala!'
In her farewell message to Ricky after his passing, Mayeth wrote on TikTok and Instagram: "You were the bravest and strongest person I have ever known.
"From the very beginning up to your last breath, I saw how fiercely you fought.
“The best decision I have ever made in my life was to be with you and never leave your side all throughout."
Read: Ricky Davao’s girlfriend pens heartfelt message for late actor