From a series of goodbyes and heartbreaks, the entertainment industry is now faced with another loss as Ricky Davao’s more than four decades of invaluable service has come to an end for good.  

Ricky, whose full name was Frederick Charles Caballes Davao, has passed away. He was 63.  

With several accolades under his belt, this veteran actor had truly proven his worth in the industry through his acclaimed versatility and profound love for his craft.  

But Ricky cannot be solely defined by his long thriving career as an actor. Inside showbiz, he was also a mentor, bringing out the best in actors as a director. Outside this realm, he was a loving and accepting father to his children.  

Humble beginnings

Born on May 30, 1961, Ricky’s family background was an excellent starting point for his superb acting skills. 

His father, Charlie Davao, was also an actor during his time, while his brothers, Bing and Charlon also had their respective acting stints in some films.  

But Ricky made a name for himself with his own passion and dedication.  

Ricky had been in the industry since the late 1970s where he started out as a dancer for the Vicor Crowd dance group in 1978. 

That was a big year for him, as he also secured a role in Armando Herrera’s Patayin si Mediavillo, which was headlined by the late action king Fernando Poe Jr. Little did he know, it was the start of his decades-long journey as an actor.  

READ: How Ricky Davao reacted to lesbian daughter's coming out

Loving father 

Ricky was a loving father to his three children — Arabella, Rikki Mae, and Kenneth.  

Although his marriage with actress Jackie Lou Blanco didn’t work out, he remained supportive of his children’s endeavors in the life.  

When Arabella—more popularly known as Ara—became part of the high-rated action series FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, Ricky had his “proud dad moment” as he witnessed his daughter following in his footsteps.  

In an interview with Inquirer, he revealed that he was also his daughter’s own critic. 

“I watch her and critique her,” he told Inquirer. “There were times when I’d say, ‘You should have done this instead,’ and she would just smile at me. I also realized that you cannot make actors act the way you do it, because they have their own way of doing it. The main focus is understanding the material at hand.” 

He added that he would always remind Ara to always embody “professionalism” and “be a good person,” as he believed that it is an ingredient to becoming a great actor.  

In a 2016 interview with Boy Abunda, Ricky also opened out about his middle child Rikki’s coming out process as a lesbian, using his platform to offer inspiration for his fellow parents who were encountering the same situation.  

The actor did not conceal the fact that he initially wanted Rikki to give him a grandchild. 

“You know, first time niyang binaggit sa akin ito, nagulat ako,” he said in the interview. “Hindi ako nagalit pero nagulat ako kasi sabi ko ‘gusto ko magkaroon ng apo sa'yo.” 

But in the end, a father’s love prevailed as he accepted and respected Rikki’s preference and true identity.

“Bottomline, it’s respect,” he said in the interview. “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 and Jackie Lou tied the knot in 1989 but eventually parted ways in 2011. They were co-parenting their children since then, Jackie Lou said in a separate interview. 

READ: Jackie Lou opens up about regret on parting ways with Ricky Davao

‘Cool director’

Ricky was not always the star in front of a camera, he also loved to work behind the scenes as a director, sharing his expertise with his fellow actors.  

In a 2024 interview, he described himself as a “cool director.” 

"I’d like to think I’m a cool one, although I also have my pet peeves; I don’t like noisy sets,” he said. “For me, it’s an insult to the artists, especially if you were already repeatedly told to keep it quiet. This is important, especially when the camera is already rolling. I always tell people on my set that professionalism is important, but just like in every industry, may pasaway.”  

He also added that seeing the actors he worked with shine gives him fulfillment: “It gives me a certain high, and this ‘high’ is priceless. Sometimes, I feel jealous because I’m also an actor. I’d say, ‘Pwede pala ‘yon?’ Through the years, I’ve learned that each actor has his own take on something. They are never the same.” 

Legacy 

In 2021, Ricky received the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 36th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies for the 2019 Cinemalaya entry, Fuccbois. 

Some of his other notable achievements in the showbiz industry include FAMAS’ Best Supporting Actor award for Deliver Us (Iadya Mo Kami) in 2017 and Film Academy of the Philippines' Best Actor Award for Minsan May Isang Puso in 2002, among others. 

Ricky’s most recent appearances were in the 2023 films Karnabal and Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan, which was a horror thriller.

He was also part of John Paul Laxamana’s Sosyal Climbers starring Anthony Jennings and Maris Racal which was released only last February.  

The entire entertainment industry may have lost him, but his legacies and contributions will remain honored and appreciated.