Dingdong Dantes expresses admiration for Ricky Davao, recalls working experience with the actor

Dingdong Dantes shared a touching tribute to the late veteran actor Ricky Davao, remembering their special bond as colleagues and friends in the entertainment industry.

In a Facebook post, Dingdong reflected on his admiration for Ricky, long before they ever worked together.

“There are people you meet in this industry whom you admire from afar long before you get the chance to shake their hand. For me, Ricky Davao was one of them. I would spot him at parties, events, and industry gatherings—and almost without fail, he’d find his way to the stage. Not to grab attention, but to give joy. One song in, and the entire room would shift. All eyes on him. All ears tuned in. And just like that, he owned the moment,” Dingdong wrote.

Dingdong recalled being a young actor when he first noticed Ricky’s magnetic presence and passion for performance, rooted in his theater background.

“I was still a young actor then, still piecing together how this world worked, when I realized: This man wasn’t just performing. He was lighting up the room. He was the room. His background in theater showed. He had presence—commanding, joyful, magnetic,” he said.

The actor also shared a memorable detail about Ricky’s character.

“And always, that signature smile. The one that made his eyes disappear. That smile is burned into memory because it wasn’t just a facial expression—it was his spirit in full bloom.”

READ: A look into Ricky Davao's legacy: A veteran actor, cool director, and a loving father

Having the kind of perspective from a far, Dingdong wanted to get to know Ricky and became closer, which eventually happened.

“From those small stages of casual gatherings to the big screens of film and television, Tito Ricky brought something rare: a blend of brilliance, warmth, and generosity. I had worked with him on past series like Dyesebel, but it wasn’t until years later that I truly had the chance to collaborate with him more closely. I remember thinking, One day, I hope I get to work closely with him,” he said.

Over time, Dingdong grew closer to Ricky. Their connection deepened when they worked together on a television series during the height of the pandemic. Ricky portrayed Dingdong’s father in the series, alongside Ricky’s former partner Jackie Lou Blanco

“We endured an eight-day hotel quarantine. He played my father, which meant we shared scenes, conversations, and quiet in-between moments that allowed us to connect beyond the script,” Dingdong reminisced.

He praised Ricky’s professionalism on set, stating, “On screen, he was incredibly precise. His director’s eye never left him. He hit marks perfectly, took notes gracefully, and always gave his scene partners something real to work with. His performances were consistent, deep, and alive. I remember watching him and thinking, This is it. This is how you do it. Tito Ricky was a living barometer of professionalism: focused, evolving, empathetic, vulnerable—always present.”

READ: Michael De Mesa pays tribute to Ricky Davao: ‘You were always the one with a smile, always positive, always kind’

As they spent time together during their shooting, Dingdong had the chance to get to know Ricky in a deeper aspect.

“I got to know Tito Ricky not just as an actor or director, but as a man. We’d talk about everything—our processes, family, even Loujude’s adobo recipes. He shared stories. Listened intently. And gave insight not just about the craft, but about living with purpose,” he said.

Dingdong then recalled a simple but memorable advice he gave Ricky that he followed.

“There’s one morning I won’t forget. We were having coffee, and he was talking about intermittent fasting. He couldn’t understand why it wasn’t working. I asked him, 'Tito Ricky, wag ka na mag-3-in-1. Try black coffee. Mas masarap. And you’ll stay in a fasted state.' He took the advice, laughed, and updated me every morning after that. It was a simple exchange—but it showed me who he was. Curious. Open. Sincere. Fatherly in the truest sense,” Dingdong said.

He also recalled taking a candid photo of Ricky and Jackie Lou.

“I took a candid photo of him and Jackie Lou Blanco, who also played my mother in the show. What are the odds, right? They were game. Smiling. Effortlessly cool. I captured that moment. And that photo, to this day, is the clearest image I have of him: relaxed, joyful, smiling that signature smile, eyes shrinking into the laughter lines that carried decades of love, work, and music,” he expressed.

As the industry mourns Ricky’s passing, Dingdong honored the legacy he left behind.

“And now, as the curtain gently falls on Ricky Davao’s time with us, I imagine him once more on that stage—just like in the countless parties, social gatherings, and karaoke nights I saw him in—where he would light up the room with a song, a smile, and a presence no one could ignore. Only this time, the stage is far greater, the audience far vaster, and the light he leaves behind shines brighter than ever,” he continued.

“Tito/Direk Ricky didn’t just perform; he gave. Whether as a singer, actor, director, or simply as himself in quiet conversations over coffee or walks around a set, he gave his truth, his laughter, his guidance. And that smile—that Chinito smile that would vanish into crescents of pure joy—remains imprinted in the hearts of everyone who knew him, worked with him, learned from him, and loved him,” he expressed.

“He exits the stage now, not with finality, but with grace. Leaving behind echoes of music, traces of masterful performances, the warmth of his fatherly ways, and the kind of good vibes that linger long after the last song has been sung.”

He concluded his message, saying, “Maraming salamat, Tito Ricky. You made our industry, our work, and our lives richer. This curtain call is not goodbye. It’s simply our standing ovation. 👏👏👏”