Malamang ay sanay nang matawag ang multi-awarded actor na si Ricky Davao bilang one of the finest actors Philippine showbiz has ever produced.
But to us ni Butch Francisco, who is a true-blooded cineaste, he’s also one of the most consummate. Wala yatang role na hindi niya kayang gawin. Wala din siyang uurungan. In fact, he’s saying na kung kagaya lang tayo sa Hollywood, he can even play a 40-year-old or an 80-year-old for that matter, with the help of makeup.
Kaya naman napaka-impressive ng kanyang filmography. Halos lahat ng nagawa niya ay markado and directors sought him out for those dahil alam nila, walang kuwestyon, that he will deliver.
He’s also so passionate about the acting and directing craft na at his age (he just turned senior citizen), makikitaan mo pa rin ng uhaw. You should hear him speak about a current project he’s involved with. Dahil kung magk’wento siya ay parang first project niya palang ang ginagawa niya. He talks with so much gusto and passion na literal na mararamdaman mo ang gigil.
Samantalang looking back, hindi niya naman inakalang mamahalin niya pala ang propesyong ito.
Wala sa plano niya ang mag-showbiz. As a Bedan (he studied high school in San Beda), una niyang dream was to become a priest. Napapadpad sa gusto niyang mag-military. But he ended up becoming an Industrial Management Engineer graduate sa Mapua.
In between, nakilala niya si Kuya Germs (German Moreno), na nakitaan siya ng potential. Kasikatan na noon ng best friend na niya ngayong si Tirso Cruz III. Marami na ring nagbibigay ng calling cards (dahil ganoon ang uso noon) at nago-offer na gawin siyang artista.
Napasok din siya as a Vicor dancer in the mid-70s. But things weren’t flourishing so he focused on school. Until dumating ang isang offer to do a three-hour stage play under CCP’s Nonon Padilla. Challenged, he took on the role of a Mexican-priest na naging santo. In front of Manila’s Who’s Who theater devotees, Ricky performed his first acting job—na may Latin monologues—and performed it well.
Doon na daw nagsimula ang love affair niya with acting. Napukaw, kumbaga, ang passion that he didn’t know he has.
Kaya naman up to now, basta’t kaya ng oras niya, ay hindi pa rin niya binibitiwan ang teatro because it kick started his acting journey.
In fact, maraming pagkakataon na nagiging restless siya dahil gusto niyang tumanggap ng role sa teatro pero may conflict sa schedule niya. Pag ganoon ay nanghihinayang siya. This is just to drive our point na napaka-passionate pa rin niya.
Similarly, ganoon din siya sa mga anak niya. When we chance upon him talking about them, we see a kinikilig proud dad all the time.
At kahit pa akusahang favorite niya ang namesake niyang si Rikkie Mae (the middle child), they’re all equal in his eyes.
Today, Father’s Day, we are honored to present to you, via our online show This is Showbiz, Ricky Davao.
Our masayang tsikahan covers his illustrious at hindi- matatawarang-film-and-TV career na napakayaman sa precious anecdotes and memories; plus of course, his journey as a father—mula sa paghawak sa unang anak na si Ken, pagdisiplina, mga ups and downs, mga touching gestures, up to his preparedness for the empty nest syndrome.
Napaka-interesting ng throwback k’wentuhan. Kaya we hope that you catch it by clicking the video links above.
MORE VIDEOS:
This is Showbiz #33: Kim Molina & Jerald Napoles, never inakalang magiging mga bidahin
This is Showbiz Episode No. 31: Rodjun and Rayver Cruz, magkapatid na, mag-best friends pa
This is Showbiz Episode No. 30: Mikee Quintos at Kelvin Miranda, miss na miss na ang isa’t isa
This is Showbiz #28: Getting to know the boy behind the actor Elijah Canlas
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