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Ara Davao Tribute to Dad: First Father's Day Without His Father, Ricky Davao

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<p>As the entertainment industry continues to mourn the loss of acting legend and filmmaker <strong>Ricky Davao</strong>, who succumbed to cancer complications last May, colleagues are understandably grieving over an iconic artist gone too soon.</p><p>Ricky Davao’s career spanned nearly five decades, beginning in 1978 as a dancer for the Vicor Crowd group before transitioning into acting with his debut in <em>Patayin si Mediavilla</em> starring Fernando Poe Jr. From there, he built a body of work that crossed film, television, and theater. He was known for his versatility—equally compelling in drama, comedy, and even musical theater.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749361813896495301989_18506318542039832_7314502120378194489_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Ricky Davao | Photo from @aradavao</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>He earned numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including accolades from FAMAS, Gawad Urian, and the Metro Manila Film Festival. His performance in <em>Saranggola</em> (1999) earned him multiple Best Actor awards, cementing his place among the industry greats.</p><p>Beyond acting, Ricky was also a respected director, beginning with an episode of <em>Maalaala Mo Kaya </em>(<em>MMK</em>) titled “Sagwan” in 1996, and went on to direct even more <em>MMK</em> episodes. He later directed several GMA Network projects, including episodes of <em>Magpakailanman</em>, <em>Kokak</em>, <em>Second Chances</em>, <em>Legally Blind,</em> and<em> Little Nanay</em>. His contributions extended to theater, where he won the Aliw Awards for Best Stage Actor for his roles in <em>Bongbong at Kris </em>and<em></em> <em>Sawi</em>.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749430907205496760682_18507355831039832_151700732956864582_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749362097209496065736_18507355942039832_6700339435653430400_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>However, his passing hits his family differently, with his loved ones and children reflecting on the moments they shared with him that have become cherished memories.</p><p><strong>Arabella “Ara” Davao</strong>, the youngest daughter of Ricky and <strong>Jackie Lou Blanc</strong><strong>o</strong>, marked the late actor’s birthday last May 30 by sharing a heartwarming video of them having a happy father-daughter dance on Instagram with the caption: “Happy birthday in heaven, Pa. Someday, we will dance again.”</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKQjvnTSTpC/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=971&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A321494.2000000179%2C%22ls%22%3A321112.7000000179%2C%22le%22%3A321471.2000000179%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Days later and in another post, the young actress expressed her grief by sharing photos from her father’s memorial with an emotional caption addressed to her dad: “Pa, it’s still hard to believe that you’re gone. Many days will feel empty without you, but I find comfort in knowing you’re now free from pain and suffering. I know it won’t be easy, but I’ll keep trying to live my best life everyday—because that’s what you would’ve wanted. It’s been a week since you left us…and a lifetime still to go. I’ll miss you everyday. Rest well and watch over me. Love you, Pa.”</p><p>For a Father’s Day tribute, Ara graciously chatted with <strong>Metro.Style</strong> and opened up about her childhood, fond memories and experiences with her dad, and his enduring legacy as a respected figure in Philippine entertainment.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749428806118Happy birthday to our Robert Downey Jr.  , the one who makes us laugh with his (sometimes corny) jokes and the one who still texts me not to talk to strangers, no matter how old I get.. The last photo was taken after I cried because I w (4).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749430139455Happy birthday to our Robert Downey Jr.  , the one who makes us laugh with his (sometimes corny) jokes and the one who still texts me not to talk to strangers, no matter how old I get.. The last photo was taken after I cried because I w (5).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Ricky, behind the camera</strong></div><p>Asked to describe her childhood, Ara said she was a shy, introverted child—this was in direct contrast to her father Ricky’s vibrant, life-of-the-party personality.</p><p>“I was always more of a quiet, super-shy kid. So Papa would always tease me when he’d bring me to parties and tell me to talk to people. It took me a while to socialize. I was always more of a mom’s girl, and my dad would tease me, ‘<em>Ay</em>, <em>mas sa nanay ka</em>!’ But then, I think growing up, <em>mas nag</em>-deepen <em>iyong</em> relationship <em>ko</em> with him. He was always there for us in important events at school or when I’d be sick as a kid, he’d be the first to check on us,” Ara shared.</p><p>The painfully shy Ara would cling to her mother’s side at parties while her father lit up the room with his jokes and song numbers.</p><p>“My dad was always the life of the party—that was what he was known for. I think <em>marami nang nagsabi sa</em> eulogies <em>na mahilig siyang kumanta at palaging kapag may</em> party, <em>siya iyong parang hindi bibitaw sa</em> mic and all those things. <em>Mas siya iyong</em> showbiz in that way. <em>Ma</em>-PR <em>talaga</em>,” she fondly recalled.</p><p>While the public saw Ricky Davao as a serious actor, Ara knew him as the dad who pulled pranks during sleepovers with her cousins and who made her laugh until she cried.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749430161574Happy birthday to our Robert Downey Jr.  , the one who makes us laugh with his (sometimes corny) jokes and the one who still texts me not to talk to strangers, no matter how old I get.. The last photo was taken after I cried because I w (3).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174943181054111351962_846415855449695_77406980_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>“<em>Siguro</em> if you knew him personally, you wouldn’t know <em>na sobrang bibo siya</em>. <em>Tapos kapag magkukwento siya</em>, he was <em>sobrang</em> animated—like <em>buong katawan niya ginagamit niya</em>,” Ara shared.</p><p>She also described her dad as someone thoughtful. He was the type who never failed to bring home her favorite cake or pasta from a restaurant he remembered she liked.</p><p>“He would notice the little things and <em>mas</em> acts of service <em>siya</em>,” Ara added.</p><p>While Ricky had a playful side, Ara agreed that he was a very private person, and he was the parent who was more of a disciplinarian.</p><p>“But my dad naman was not <em>sobrang</em> strict. Like <em>noong nagkakabarkada na ako</em> growing up, <em>pinapayagan naman ako sa</em> sleepovers and <em>minsan</em> out-of-town. I wouldn’t say he was too strict, but he was the stricter one compared to mom,” she narrated.</p><p>“<em>Nami</em>-miss <em>ko iyong mga</em> sermon <em>niya </em>but<em> iyong mga </em>sermons <em>naman niya</em> were always out of love or <em>kung mag-</em><em>e</em>-explain <em>siya</em> for our safety,” the actress continued.</p><p>Their bond deepened as she grew older. “We weren’t always expressive with words,” she said, “but he showed his love in the little things—checking on me when I was sick, remembering what I liked, supporting me in everything.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749430542469Behind every good picture is a supportive dad who will do anything to get the right angles.  Happy birthday Pa! It’s been a great first year with your discount card.   Let’s make more memories and take more photos this year!.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749430600507Happy birthday to our Robert Downey Jr.  , the one who makes us laugh with his (sometimes corny) jokes and the one who still texts me not to talk to strangers, no matter how old I get.. The last photo was taken after I cried because I w (2).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div><strong>A father’s pride</strong></div><p>When Ara entered showbiz, Ricky was nothing short of supportive. For one, it didn’t come as a surprise to him and the family because Ara displayed interests in school plays and had been exposed to production sets as well as movie premieres. </p><p>“<em>Palaging tinatanong sa kanya kung mag-a</em>-<em>artista ba</em> [<em>kaming mga anak</em>]. I think for me, he knew that the doors were never closed. It was just that <em>tinapos ko &#x27;yung</em> studies <em>ko</em>. When I graduated, <em>nag</em>-reach out <em>ang</em> Star Magic. Informed<em> naman siya</em> from the start. <em>Nag</em>-support <em>siya sa </em>workshops and would ask me, ‘<em>Ano&#x27;ng nangyari</em>? What scenes did you do?’ <em>Medyo</em> super stage father <em>nga na minsan ako na &#x27;yung nako</em>-conscious. <em>Kasi</em> he wanted to be informed <em>talaga</em> with everything. <em>Makulit siya </em>actually, in a way. I remember he was part of the Zoom meeting with Direk Lauren [Dyogi],” Ara narrated. </p><p>When Ara landed her first acting project via the Coco Martin-led primetime drama series <em>Batang Quiapo</em>, her dad was one of the first people she disclosed it to.</p><p>“He didn’t immediately reply. What he did was, he sent a video of him screaming. I have that video until now. It was so sweet. I was excited,” she smiled, thinking of the memory.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749431456100Happy birthday to our Robert Downey Jr.  , the one who makes us laugh with his (sometimes corny) jokes and the one who still texts me not to talk to strangers, no matter how old I get.. The last photo was taken after I cried because I was g.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749431956525194733420_992106124865573_5381084310266770586_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>The proud father drove Ara to her first taping day of <em>Batang Quiapo</em> like it was her first day of school. He watched her scenes (“<em>Nakatutok pa daw kapag wala ako sa </em>house”), gave thoughtful feedback, and celebrated her wins with the joy of someone who had waited a lifetime to see his child shine.</p><p>“I had to tell him, ‘Pa, don’t visit me [on set]. <em>Kasi ‘di ba</em>, <em>mas nakakakulit</em>?” she said.</p><p>With a father’s excitement came pieces of advice for his daughter, who also shared a love for the craft.</p><p>“For him, <em>parang</em> every opportunity you get, you do your best <em>tapos kung hindi ka</em> sure, <em>magtanong ka</em>. <em>Minsan</em> I&#x27;d open up <em>din</em> that I feel bad <em>na hindi ko nagawa ito </em>or like,<em> kinabahan ako</em>. <em>Sabi lang niya na s&#x27;yempre</em> everyone goes through that. Like I can just ask him or my mom and our directors [for advice]. So more like <em>sa pagiging</em> professional and <em>sa ugali </em>[<em>ang</em> advice]. More than the technique, <em>siguro ‘yun ‘yung</em> first,” Ara shared, her voice softened.</p><p>More than acting tips, Ricky left Ara with life lessons that now echo louder in his absence. Ara recalled, “He always said, ‘Be a good person first. <em>Matuto kang makisama</em>.’” </p><p>In an industry—and a world—where kindness can be rare, his advice was simple but profound. He taught her to be humble, to be prepared, and to be ultra-cautious. “Even now, I still carry photocopies of my passport when I travel—because he told me to,” she quipped.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749431005327Behind every good picture is a supportive dad who will do anything to get the right angles.  Happy birthday Pa! It’s been a great first year with your discount card.   Let’s make more memories and take more photos this year! (1).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749431127907Happy birthday to our Robert Downey Jr.  , the one who makes us laugh with his (sometimes corny) jokes and the one who still texts me not to talk to strangers, no matter how old I get.. The last photo was taken after I cried because I w (1).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong><strong>Missing the mundane</strong></div><p>When asked what she misses most about her dad, Ricky, Ara got pensive and said, “It’s the little things.” She began to share the pain of missing the ordinary.</p><p>“When someone passes, you realize <em>na siguro </em>sometimes we think it&#x27;s the big moments like graduation or like travels but <em>‘yun pala, </em>y<em></em>ou&#x27;re going to miss the moments at home.  <em>Kapag nagtatawanan lang kami</em>, eating together or <em>&#x27;yung mga</em> pranks <em>niya na manggulat kahit ayokong ginugulat ako</em>. <em>Nakaka</em>-miss <em>din</em>. I just miss him—him being here,” she thoughtfully shared.</p><p>Thankfully, she has the movies of her dad to remember him by. Ara shared that as an avid viewer of Star Cinema movies, her favorite performances of his were of those where Ricky played dads to Liza Soberano (<em>Just The Way You Are</em><em></em>), Kathryn Bernardo (<em>Barcelona: A Love Untold</em>), and Bea Alonzo (<em>Kasal</em>).</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749431763743Happy birthday to our Robert Downey Jr.  , the one who makes us laugh with his (sometimes corny) jokes and the one who still texts me not to talk to strangers, no matter how old I get.. The last photo was taken after I cried because I w (6).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749431749903150163081_875183736609513_1305417815900322668_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“When he played the trans dad of Bea Alonzo, <em>nakakaiyak &#x27;yun</em>! <em>Sobrang</em> I remember in that movie, he wanted to—<em>hindi kasi maganda &#x27;yung </em>relationship <em>nila</em>—<em>pero</em> he wanted to be a part of Bea&#x27;s life,” she recalled.</p><p>This Father’s Day, Ara faces the occasion without him for the first time. In a brief emotional moment, the graceful toughness Ara had been showing started to crack, and she displayed vulnerability when asked what she would tell her dad.</p><p>“Thank you for fighting until the end. We were really very private about the sickness. But then, you know, our family knows this: he fought until the end. And even if it&#x27;s hard, I&#x27;ll try to do my best everyday and I&#x27;ll make you proud later,” Ara concluded meaningfully.</p><p>Ricky Davao’s legacy lives on not just in his body of work but also in the values he passed on to his children—kindness, dedication, thoughtfulness, a tinge of humor, and the importance of being present. Through Ara’s stories, we see not just a celebrated actor but a father whose greatest role was the one he played at home and behind the spotlight.</p><div><br/></div><p>Photos from <strong>@aradavao</strong></p>

<p>When asked what she misses most about her dad, Ricky Davao, Ara got pensive and said, “It’s the little things.”</p>

When asked what she misses most about her dad, Ricky Davao, Ara got pensive and said, “It’s the little things.”

A Father's Day Tribute: Ara Davao Recalls the Best Moments With Her Late Dad, Ricky Davao

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A Father's Day Tribute: Ara Davao Recalls the Best Moments With Her Late Dad, Ricky Davao

Grace Diez

Published Jun 09, 2025 09:25 AM PHT

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Updated Jun 09, 2025 01:14 PM PHT

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