Manila’s lights dimmed a little on May 1, 2025, when Frederick Charles Caballes Davao, known to millions as Ricky Davao, took his final bow at age 63. The news hit hard, rippling through the Philippine entertainment world like a shockwave. A titan of film, television, and theater, Davao’s career spanned decades, his name etched in the country’s cultural bedrock.
Born on May 30, 1961, in the heart of Manila, Davao was the son of actor Charlie Davao and younger brother to Bing Davao, another familiar face in the industry. Showbiz was in his blood, but he carved his own path. He started young, cutting his teeth as a dancer with the Vicor Crowd, his feet pounding out rhythms before his voice and presence would captivate audiences. From those early days, he leapt into acting, building a career that blended grit and grace. His roles—whether a hard-edged lead or a quiet, soulful supporting character—showed a man who could slip into any skin and make it real.
Davao wasn’t just an actor. He directed television projects, his sharp eye shaping stories behind the camera. In 2013, he sat as a juror for the first ASEAN International Film Festival Awards, proof of his weight in the industry. His work wasn’t flashy; it was steady, versatile, the kind of craft that holds up over time. He starred in dramas, comedies, and everything in between, leaving a mark that won’t fade easy.
His personal life had its chapters too. Married to actress Jackie Lou Blanco in 1989, Davao raised three children with her. They parted ways but found a way to share the screen again in 2021, playing a married couple in the drama anthology I Can See You: AlterNate. It was a moment fans cherished—a nod to their shared history, their chemistry still crackling.
In 2024, word broke that Davao faced a terminal illness, though details stayed private. He carried on, his strength quiet but unshakable. When he passed, the industry paused. Tributes poured in, but the loudest came from Viva, his longtime home: “Pahinga kana, Sir Ricky.” Rest now.
Davao’s death closes a chapter for Philippine cinema. He was 63, born in Manila, and died on May 1, 2025. He leaves behind three children and a legacy that’ll outlive him.