MANILA, Philippines – Filipino actor and television director Ricky Davao died on Friday, May 2, at the age of 63.
Born Frederick Charles Caballes Davao, the actor made waves across film, theater, and television mediums. He was the son of acting legend the late Charlie Davao, and brother of fellow actors Bing and Charlon Davao.
While having a penchant for storytelling definitely runs in the family, Ricky Davao managed to make a name for himself in show business, starting out his career as a dancer for the Vicor Crowd dance group in 1978 at 17 years old.
Acting roles and accolades
Throughout his acting career, Davao received a total of 14 wins and 38 nominations from different award-giving bodies, including 12 awards and nominations from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), and 5 from the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).
In 1978, he began his acting journey in Patayin si Mediavillo, a Fernando Poe Jr. action flick directed by Armando Herrera.
Through the years, his career grew steadily, and his name started getting recognized by the film community. In 1989, he had his first Best Actor nomination in Gawad Urian for his character, Rafael, in the film Misis mo, Misis ko directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna.
Among his other notable roles in movies are Homer Agustines in Saranggola by Gil Portes, for which he bagged the Best Actor award in the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival, 1999 Gawad Urian, 1999 Cinemanila International Filmfest, and 2000 Star Award for Movies, along with a nomination in the 2000 Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS).
He is also known for his roles in Minsan May Isang Puso (2002), Mga Pusang Gala (2006), Iadya Mo Kami (2017), and Fuccbois (2019).
Davao has also appeared in many television shows, including Maalaala Mo Kaya, Magpakailanman, Dyesebel, and Carmela, among others. He was also a part of the web series Cattleya Killer in 2023.
Aside from his roles on screen, Davao also lent his acting chops to the theater stage. In 1982, he made his theater debut in Convent Bread, produced by the late Nora Aunor and directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes.
He also famously played a fictionalized Bongbong Marcos in Bienvenido Noriega Jr.’s Bongbong at Kris in 1980, for which Davao received the Best Stage Actor Award from Aliw.
In 2013, he was a juror in the first ASEAN International Film Festival Awards. In 2019, he performed at the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival.
Directorship
Beyond his acting career, Davao also took on a director role, beginning in the 1996 episode of Maalalaala Mo Kaya titled “Sagwan.”
In the following years, he led television shows for GMA such as the Filipino adaptation of The Coffee Prince (2012), Mga Basang Sisiw (2013), Little Nanay (2016), and Inday Will Always Love You (2015).
During his time as a director, he was known for sharing his years of experience with his fellow actors.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, he described himself as a “cool director” but said he always wants to uphold professionalism on sets and behind the scenes.
“I always tell people on my set that professionalism is important, but just like in every industry, may pasaway (there are troublemakers),” he said.
“Sometimes, I feel jealous because I’m also an actor. I’d say, ‘Puwede pala ‘yon (You can do that)?’ Through the years, I’ve learned that each actor has their take on something. They are never the same,” the director mused.
Davao also delved briefly into politics when he ran for councilor of Quezon City’s 4th District in 2010. He eventually withdrew due to a Commission on Elections rule that prohibited actor-candidates from appearing on film and TV shows during the campaign period. At the time, Davao was set to star in a film that was scheduled for release in cinemas within the campaign period.
A family man
Davao married actress Jackie Lou Blanco in 1989. Their relationship began to blossom when the latter stood in for Snooky Serna in a duet stint in GMA Supershow.
Davao and Blanco had three children together — Arabella, Rikki Mae, and Kenneth.
The couple’s relationship then began to fade out, and they eventually decided to separate in 2011. Later in 2023, Davao then publicized having a non-showbiz girlfriend named Malca Darocca.
Through the ups and downs in his personal life, he continued to care for his family and is remembered as a loving father.
In a heartfelt post by their eldest daughter on Instagram, Ara Davao shared how the actor passed away peacefully, “surrounded by his children and loved ones, after bravely facing complications related to cancer.”
Jackie Lou Blanco also expressed her grief at the death of her ex-husband. In an Instagram Story, she reposted a photo of Davao with Pilita Corrales, with the caption: “I know you are singing in heaven. You will be missed. I love you.”
The announcement of Davao’s death comes just after Jackie Lou Blanco’s mother and Davao’s former mother-in-law Pilita Corrales passed away on April 12 at age 87.
As of writing, details regarding his memorial service have yet to be announced. – with reports by Kevin Ian Lampayan and Bea Gatmaytan/Rappler.com
Kevin Ian Lampayan is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Bea Gatmaytan is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Content shared from www.rappler.com.