Ricky Davao is a multi awarded stage, film and television actor in the Philippines. In November 2008, he was elevated to the Aliw Awards' Hall of Fame for having thrice been awarded Best Actor for his stage work. Ricky played his most memorable stage roles in Insiang, Speaking in Tongues, and Bong-Bong and Kris. He has also garnered Best Actor awards for Saranggola (official entry in the foreign film category of the 2001 Oscar Awards), and Minsan May Isang Puso and a Best Supporting Actor disctinction for Ipaglaban Mo (a film by Marilou Diaz Abaya). In July 2008, he was named Best Supporting Actor for Signos. at the UK Film Festival.
Ricky loves New York. He is best remembered by New Yorkers for his role as Gerry, the closeted gay man, in the 2001 indie hit American Adobo, a film about the lives of five Filipino friends living in Queens, Manhattan and Long Island. In 2006, he directed the film "Marie" for Gawad Kalinga. "Marie" is the story of Marie Rose Abad, an American executive from Long Island, who perished in the World Trade Center on September 11. Several years after her death, her Filipino husband Rudy donated her insurance money to Gawad Kalinga to build the Marie Rose Village in the slum area of Baseco, Tondo. Ricky said he was able to draw from own his personal connection to New York City to bring her story to life.
Ricky is one of the forerunners of the independent film movement in the Philippines. He usually has several entries in the Cinemalaya independent film festivals that have been running for the past four years. Even if it is common knowledge that these are meagerly budgeted films that do not translate into monetary rewards for the actors and the production crew, Ricky unselfishly dedicates his time and talent working with young and upcoming filmakers who are changing the face of Philippine cinema locally and abroad. In recent years, Philippine independent films such as Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil's Mga Pusang Gala (Stray Cats), Kubrador (The Collector), Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Max Oliveros), Signos (The Signs) among others have not just exhibited internationally, but have also won awards and have been the banner films for some of the festivals. "I do it for my passion and love for my craft," Ricky often says when queried on his leadership presence in the industry. That passion has translated into a body of work of over 100 films,stage dramas and musicals,and memorable roles on television.
But he does not just act, he also sings (and dances). He has, through the years, earned the reputation of "AIM" - -"ayaw ipasa ang mike" as once he gets hold of the microphone he is unstoppable and will belt out old time favorites, pop tunes and even arias from his favorite operas. For his New York performance, he will introduce us to "Salinawits" - - old classics translated beautifully into Tagalog by acclaimed writer Pete Lacaba.
Ricky is proud to partner with Assumption for this project. His two younger sisters are Assumption alumnae and through them he has experienced the value of an Assumption education. In September, BOSES screened in Assumption San Lorenzo so he was able to re-visit a campus he is quite familiar with. Ricky said he has visited the Antipolo and San Lorenzo campuses many times in the past to pick up his sisters and he says, with a twinkle in his eye, that it was always a "chore" he enjoyed doing!
Ricky Rehearsing
Ricky Davao from Nix on Vimeo.
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