Ricky Davao, the singer who can act
Ricky Davao is a multi-awarded film, television and theater actor who would really rather be known as a singer who can act. He will jump at every opportunity to show off his singing voice and whose plans for the future not only include directing a film version of Rene Villanueva's "Hiblang Abo" but also an album of salinawits, or standards transliterated into Filipino.
Which is not to say that he will also not take advantage of every chance to perform on stage.
This week, he resurrects his role as Dado in the Mario O'Hara's adaptation of his own screenplay for Lino Brocka's "Insiang." Directed by Chris Millado (who, like Ricky, also won an Aliw Award for his work on the play), Ricky plays opposite Sheenly Vee Gener (as Insiang) and Mailes Kanapi (as Pacing). As he normally would, Ricky set aside time to do Insiang, making sure that he can devote all his attention and time for the project.
Ricky once said in an interview that we have known each other for over twenty years, thereby revealing to the world how old we both really are. I was initially unbelieving, but thereafter realized that, indeed, the first time that we had been both involved in the same production was in 1984 for Bulwagang Gantimpala's "Silang Nalugmok sa Gabi" which he topbilled opposite Grace Amilbangsa under Dindo Angeles' direction. I happened to have written the play, winner of an Honorable Mention from the CCP Playwriting Competition, Special Adaptation category (the same year Tony Perez won for Biyaheng Timog).
Of course, I had known of Ricky even before that year, when he was a Vicor Dancer who would appear in some films as the barkada of the lead (Gabby Concepcion and Lloyd Samartino, among them). But Ricky would rather remind me that if it were not for him, I probably would not have married my wife. Ricky had been initially cast to play Demetrius in Tony Mabesa's Dulaang U.P. production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" but had to back out because of film commitments. Had he continued with the play, he would have played opposite Shamaine Centenera and Irma Adlawan who were to alternate as Helena. Because Ricky could not do it, Tony Mabesa cast me as Demetrius instead, and as they say, the rest is history.
Tanghalang Pilipino's "Insiang" stars Ricky Davao, Mailes Kanapi, Mae Paner, Peewee O'Hara and Sheenly Vee Gener, with Roeder Camanag, Paolo O'Hara, Donnel Bolanos, Vanni Liwanag and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors' Company. Directed by Chris Millado, set design by Hesus "Bobot" Lota, lighting design by Joey Nombres, Sound Design by Jethro Joaquin, and fight choreography by Jack Yabut.
"Insiang" goes onstage at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute on November 16-18, 23-25, 30 and December 1-2, 8:00 P.M. on Fridays and Saturdays with 3:00 P.M. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets and other information, call Ticketworld (891-9999), CCP Box Office (832-3704), or Tanghalang Pilipino (832-3661). Visit www.tanghalangpilipino.com or www.brighteyedboys.com/insiang.
Which is not to say that he will also not take advantage of every chance to perform on stage.
This week, he resurrects his role as Dado in the Mario O'Hara's adaptation of his own screenplay for Lino Brocka's "Insiang." Directed by Chris Millado (who, like Ricky, also won an Aliw Award for his work on the play), Ricky plays opposite Sheenly Vee Gener (as Insiang) and Mailes Kanapi (as Pacing). As he normally would, Ricky set aside time to do Insiang, making sure that he can devote all his attention and time for the project.
Ricky once said in an interview that we have known each other for over twenty years, thereby revealing to the world how old we both really are. I was initially unbelieving, but thereafter realized that, indeed, the first time that we had been both involved in the same production was in 1984 for Bulwagang Gantimpala's "Silang Nalugmok sa Gabi" which he topbilled opposite Grace Amilbangsa under Dindo Angeles' direction. I happened to have written the play, winner of an Honorable Mention from the CCP Playwriting Competition, Special Adaptation category (the same year Tony Perez won for Biyaheng Timog).
Of course, I had known of Ricky even before that year, when he was a Vicor Dancer who would appear in some films as the barkada of the lead (Gabby Concepcion and Lloyd Samartino, among them). But Ricky would rather remind me that if it were not for him, I probably would not have married my wife. Ricky had been initially cast to play Demetrius in Tony Mabesa's Dulaang U.P. production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" but had to back out because of film commitments. Had he continued with the play, he would have played opposite Shamaine Centenera and Irma Adlawan who were to alternate as Helena. Because Ricky could not do it, Tony Mabesa cast me as Demetrius instead, and as they say, the rest is history.
Tanghalang Pilipino's "Insiang" stars Ricky Davao, Mailes Kanapi, Mae Paner, Peewee O'Hara and Sheenly Vee Gener, with Roeder Camanag, Paolo O'Hara, Donnel Bolanos, Vanni Liwanag and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors' Company. Directed by Chris Millado, set design by Hesus "Bobot" Lota, lighting design by Joey Nombres, Sound Design by Jethro Joaquin, and fight choreography by Jack Yabut.
"Insiang" goes onstage at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute on November 16-18, 23-25, 30 and December 1-2, 8:00 P.M. on Fridays and Saturdays with 3:00 P.M. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets and other information, call Ticketworld (891-9999), CCP Box Office (832-3704), or Tanghalang Pilipino (832-3661). Visit www.tanghalangpilipino.com or www.brighteyedboys.com/insiang.
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