Ara Davao, child of late actor Ricky Davao. Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Ara Davao, one of the children of the late veteran actor Ricky Davao, shared how her father wanted to be remembered—not just for his accomplishments in the entertainment industry, but for the kind of person he was.
"Well, siyempre very proud siya sa mga awards niya, movies na ginawa niya for over fourty years. Sa lahat ng medium, whether sa stage, TV, films like ginagawa niya yung best niya in every role. But I think 'yung legacy talaga niya was the person he was," Ara said.
She recalled how many people came up to her at the wake, sharing fond memories of her dad.
“Ang dami niyang friends, kahit hindi ko na sila kilala lahat yung lumalapit, 'Oh my gosh, your dad was very good to us. He never forgot us. Lagi siyang nandyan, life of the party, masiyahin,'" she said.
In his final days, Ara said she kept texting her dad “I love you” and “Goodnight,” and she would never forget those moments—especially how he was still able to respond and muster the strength to reply.
As a father, Ara described Ricky as full of jokes, deeply supportive, and someone who expressed love through actions.
“Hindi kami masyado yung, 'I love you, I miss you' yung ma-words pero ano siya, super acts if services. And then kahit anong gawin ko like sa school and then nung nagshowbiz ako sobrang stage father," she said.
Davao died at the age of 63 due to complications related to cancer.