Arzen Rose Dulzura

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

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo actor Michael De Mesa took to social media to honor his longtime friend and fellow actor-director Ricky Davao, who recently passed away.In an emotional post, Michael looked back on their decades-long friendship, describing Ricky as a brother.“Ricky, my brother… this one really hurts. You know I’m a man of few words, but with you, there’s just so much to say,” Michael penned.<iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJLXap0SKgQ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A15939618.700000048%2C%22ls%22%3A61742.10000002384%2C%22le%22%3A61744.80000001192%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="719" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>“I’ve known you since I was 14. That’s more than 50 years! We’ve been through so much together— from the school lunch breaks we used to sneak in just to hang out, to the countless days and nights as barkada with my brother, Ralph, and your brother, Bing. We were inseparable,” he added.Michael fondly remembered Ricky’s lighthearted nature and kindness even though he kept on teasing him.“You were always the one with a smile, always positive, always kind. Walang masamang tinapay sa yo. Never pikon, no matter how harsh the jokes or kung gaano ka grabe yung pag-asar ko sa &#x27;yo. You’d just laugh it off like it was nothing. That was the kind of person you were. Lighthearted, generous, and full of joy,” he stated.Aside from their friendship, Michael expressed deep admiration for Ricky’s passion and dedication as an actor and director.“As an artist, I truly admired you. You were so passionate about your craft, and I could feel your excitement every time you told me about a new directorial project.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/2/ricky-davao-passes-away-at-63-1920">READ: Ricky Davao passes away at 63</a></div>Michael added, “I remember how proud you were when you finally got to direct which was a dream you never gave up on. We worked together on TV, film, and stage, and I’ll always treasure those moments. To be able to create with you was an honor.”Michael also recalled Ricky’s love for music, especially a moment when he sang alongside National Artist Ryan Cayabyab.“I remember when you got to sing while Ryan Cayabyab played the piano. You were so proud about that. Grabe… you really loved to sing. We always tried our best not to give you the mic, because once you got your hands on it, you would never let it go!” he revealed.Now that his dear friend is gone, Michael expressed how he will continue to cherish his memories of Ricky. “We’ve come a long way, my friend. And now, I’ll have to come to terms with a world that no longer has you in it. But I’ll hold on to the memories, the laughter, and the brotherhood,” he expressed.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/2/a-look-into-ricky-davao-s-legacy-a-veteran-actor-cool-director-and-a-loving-father-1927">READ: A look into Ricky Davao&#x27;s legacy: A veteran actor, cool director, and a loving father</a></div>He ended his tribute with a touching farewell, saying, “Rest easy, Ricky. I take comfort in knowing you’re now with our Lord, probably cracking jokes and sharing stories with Ralph and Cherie up there. Until we meet again. I will miss you so much. I love you, my brother.”Michael and Ricky shared the screen in several films, including Takas sa Impierno (1991), The Maggie dela Riva Story: God... Why Me? (1994), and Muling Umawit ang Puso (1995). They also both directed and starred in the ABS-CBN supernatural drama !Oka Tokat.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/2/celebrities-send-heartfelt-messages-as-news-of-ricky-davao-s-death-announced-2213">READ: Celebrities send heartfelt messages as news of Ricky Davao&#x27;s death announced</a></div>Aside from Michael, several celebrity friends and colleagues also paid tribute to Ricky, celebrating his life and legacy.