MANILA -- Acclaimed and award-winning actor Ricky Davao has died after bravely facing complications related to cancer, his family announced Friday. He was 63.
In her post on Instagram, his daughter Ara Davao said her father passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children and loved ones.
"For more than four decades, he dedicated his life to the craft of acting and directing. His remarkable body of work and award-winning performances have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire. Most of all he was a loving father, brother, son, and friend," she wrote.
"We are deeply grateful for your prayers, love, and kind messages during this difficult time. Details about his memorial service will be shared soon."
Born Frederick Charles Caballes Davao on May 30, 1961, Davao was also a dancer, director and theater actor.
Considered one of the versatile actors in the Philippine cinema, Davao started as a dancer for record company Vicor in 1978. He considered dancing his first love, but later discovered his penchant for acting.
Davao who finished industrial management engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology, came from a showbiz family. His father was Charlie Davao, while his brothers – Bing and Charlon – also appeared in movies.
It was also in 1978 when Davao ventured into acting and had a role in Armando Herrera’s action flick, “Patayin si Mediavillo,” that starred action king Fernando Poe, Jr.
He also starred in movies like "Abot Hanggang Sukdulan," "Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-Ibig?" "Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya," "Apoy sa Puso," and "Ipaglaban Mo The Movie."
In 1999, Davao won at the Manila Film Festival and Gawad Urian for his performance in the movie "Saranggola."
Davao bagged two best supporting actor honors for “Kapag May Katwiran: Ipaglaban Mo” – from the Gawad Urian and Film Academy of the Philippines.
In theater, Davao is best known for his performances in "Bongbong at Kris" and "Insiang."
In the 2010 elections, Davao tried to enter politics when he ran for councilor in the 4th District of Quezon City under the Nationalist People’s Coalition. He later withdrew his candidacy due to conflict of interest.
He also worked as TV director in a number of teleseryes and TV specials. Davao made an impact with his performances in shows like "Maalaala Mo Kaya." He was known for his role Edward Rodrigo in ABS-CBN series "Mula sa Puso."
Davao was previously married to Jackie Lou Blanco and they have three children – Arabella, Rikki Mae and Kenneth. They tied the knot in 1989 and got separated two decades later in 2011.
Just last April 12, Blanco's mother, Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales passed away. Since the wake of Corrales, Davao was reported to be sick and in critical condition, which was why he was not seen around. He was said to have been in and out of the hospital since December 2024.
Davao and Blanco worked together in 2021, when they were paired in the drama anthology, “I Can See You: AlterNate,” where they played husband and wife.
His new, non-showbiz girlfriend was Mayeth Malca, whom he introduced during the pandemic in 2021.
In 2023, Davao appeared in director Benedict Mique’s film “Monday First Screening” and was reunited with Gina Alajar whom he earlier worked with in Marilou Diaz Abaya’s “Kapag May Katwiran: Ipaglaban Mo” (1995) under Star Cinema.
Davao’s last few big screen appearances included a supporting role in director Chito Roño’s horror thriller, “Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan” (2023), based on Bob Ong’s mystery novel. In 2023, Davao was part of the series "Cattleya Killer."
Davao was also in the cast of Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Sosyal Climbers,” that paired Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings, released on Netflix only last February.
Last month, Davao was also seen in the musical drama film, “Sinagtala.”
In a previous interview with Boy Abunda, Davao said that "my family, my kids" are his biggest achievements in life.
"I am Ricky Davao and I'm so proud that I've reached this point in my career that I'm so blessed, so happy, contented and I'm ready.
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