Ricky Davao was one of those actors who felt like family to Filipino audiences. He had this everyman charm, a mix of toughness and warmth that made him equally believable as a action star, a loving father, or a complicated villain.
But behind the camera, his personal life was just as layered as his roles. For decades, he was married to actress Jackie Lou Blanco, and their relationship played out like a teleserye itself—full of love, challenges, and eventual parting, but never bitterness.
Ricky Davao’s Marriage to Jackie Lou Blanco—How Many Children Did They Share?
The couple met back in the late ’80s on GMA Supershow, where sparks flew, and by 1989, they were married. It was the kind of showbiz union people rooted for, and for years, they seemed like the perfect match. Together, they raised three kids—Arabella, Rikki Mae, and Kenneth—who grew up in the spotlight but never lost their grounding.
But as often happens in long marriages, things shifted. In 2011, Ricky Davao and Jackie Lou decided to separate. It wasn’t a messy breakup, no dramatic headlines or public feuds. They just realized they worked better as friends and co-parents than as husband and wife. Jackie Lou later admitted in interviews that she regretted how things ended, not because she wanted him back, but because she saw how the split affected their children. Still, they made it work. They lived close to each other, stayed involved in their kids’ lives, and even shared the screen again in 2021 for I Can See You: AlterNate, proving that time had healed any old wounds.
Years after the separation, Ricky found love again, this time with Malca Darocca, a woman who stayed out of the limelight but became his rock. Their relationship was quieter, less public, but no less meaningful. When Ricky got sick, Malca was the one by his side, caring for him through his battle with cancer. She wasn’t just a partner; she became his strength, and when he passed away in May 2025, her tribute to him was heartbreakingly beautiful. She called him her bravest love, and it was clear that, in his final years, he had found peace with her.
His offspring, meanwhile, grew up carrying pieces of him in their own careers. Arabella and Rikki Mae followed their parents into acting, with Arabella making waves in Batang Quiapo and Fatherland, while Rikki Mae carved her own path in shows like Widows’ War. Kenneth, the youngest, chose a quieter life, staying away from the industry that defined his family. But all three were united in grief when their father passed. Arabella’s Instagram post announcing his death was simple but heavy with emotion—just a black-and-white photo and the words “Rest in peace, Papa.”
The news of Ricky’s death hit hard, not just for his family but for the entire entertainment industry. Tributes poured in from co-stars, directors, and fans who remembered him as a consummate professional and a genuinely kind person. His memorial at The Heritage Park in Taguig became a gathering place for those who loved him, from Dingdong Dantes to Jericho Rosales, all sharing stories of his generosity and talent. Even in his final months, he was still working, still creating, directing projects and acting whenever he could. That was Ricky—always dedicated, always passionate.
Looking back, his legacy isn’t just in the roles he played but in the way he lived. He wasn’t perfect—no one is—but he handled fame, family, and even illness with a quiet dignity that’s rare in showbiz. His love story with Jackie Lou was one for the ages, not because it lasted forever, but because it ended with mutual respect. His bond with Malca showed that love could bloom again, even later in life. And his children? They’re proof that the best parts of him live on. Ricky Davao may be gone, but his impact—onscreen and off—isn’t going anywhere.
