Ricky Davao’s GF Malca happy that Jackie Lou thanked her

It’s hard to decide if Ricky Davao was better as an actor or as a friend because he excelled at being both. Award-winning on screen and award-worthy off screen.

Our friendship stood the test of time. Ricky hardly missed any of my birthday parties. During my birthday last year, he did a duet with my dear friend, Pops Fernandez, of Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang. Ricky also sang one of his fave songs, Ikaw Pa Rin. Even if he already had a bandage on his throat (due to his health issue) during my fête, he still sang his heart out. That’s how much he loved to sing.

When my son IC was getting the mic from Ricky, he said in jest, “Sinong nagpapakuha ng mic? Si Cesar Montano?”

We showbiz folk know that during parties when it’s Ricky who has the mic, nobody can snatch it away from him because he will hold a mini-concert instantly.

The author (center) with Ricky and his girlfriend Malca, who never left the veteran actor-director’s side all throughout his battle with the Big C.

Ces Drilon teased Ricky about his bandaged throat, “Is that a hickey?” Even if he was already in pain, Ricky still celebrated with me. He was truly a friend over and beyond the call of duty.

When he and his GF Malca (whom I call “Sis”) arrived, Ricky told me “Bagay sa yo yung gift namin.” Then I chided him, “I thought GCash ang gift mo.” He shot back, chuckling, “Pwede din.”

Ricky’s wife, Jackie Lou Blanco (though they have been estranged for 20 years) thanked Malca for taking care of Ricky and for loving him. They even hugged each other tightly in front of Ricky’s urn.

There was a time Ricky called me out of the blue to ask what size of blouse I wear because he wanted to buy me a gift. To this day, the black top he gave remains to be one of my fave outfits. Sweetness was really in Ricky’s DNA.

When I asked Ricky to be part of the music video of my fave band, True Faith (TF), he said YES right away. It was a fun shoot of TF’s song Uwian Na. Ricky did it for free. That’s the kind of friend he was. Always going the extra mile.

I turn into a fangirl every time I watch Ricky’s movies/stage plays. I remember the time I watched his play in La Salle Taft. True to form, Ricky was amazing. His dialogues were so long yet he delivered each line perfectly. I was blown away when I found out that he performed in that play gratis et amore. It was Ricky’s way of helping out the students and paying it forward. Take a bow, Ricky, for being such a giver on and off stage and on and off cam.

I cherish our Bohol memories. I was invited by BFF Buboy (Cesar Montano) to watch Ricky’s and his shooting in Chocolate Hills country. I enjoyed bonding with Ricky while we visited the tarsier sanctuary, went firefly watching and had lunch at the Loboc River Cruise. Ricky ribbed me, “Bakit si Buboy lang ang tinatawag mong BFF? Dapat ako BFF2 mo.”

The whole time he was in the hospital, “Sis” Malca and I kept in touch. I always checked on Ricky and her. I salute Malca for never leaving Ricky’s side all throughout his battle with the Big C. Just like Ricky said when I interviewed him for this column, Malca is his “silver lining.” So shame on those netizens who post nasty comments about Malca. They have no idea what she did all for the love of Ricky.

On the first night of Ricky’s wake, Malca told me, “Sis, monthsary namin ni Ricky bukas and it’s my birthday on May 13 and his birthday on May 30. We were like ‘PBB’ teens ‘cause we celebrated our monthsary every fifth of the month.”

It was so touching when Ricky’s wife, Jackie Lou Blanco (though they have been estranged for 20 years) thanked Malca for taking care of Ricky and for loving him. They even hugged each other tightly in front of Ricky’s urn.

In her eulogy, Rikki Mae (daughter of Ricky and Jackie) also showed her appreciation for Malca. “I’m happy that Jackie and Rikki Mae did that,” Malca said. Knowing Malca, she would rather be low-key. She was the wind beneath Ricky’s wings.

Since I’m privy to Ricky and Malca’s love story, I know that even if Malca did not deliver a eulogy for her “Bubba,” in her heart, she’s building a monument for him each day. With Malca’s permission, I am including her message to me while I was writing this piece: “Sis, I greeted Ricky good morning when I woke up. Then after a few seconds while I was in the closet room, the light blinked.”

Wherever Malca is, Ricky will be there also. I even coined a cute moniker for them, “RILCA.”

Thank you, dear Ricky, for our longtime friendship. You are proof that real friends can be found in the unreal world of showbiz. I will miss you terribly. All our moments and memories are etchedin my heart.