A shocking piece of news surfaced this week from the world of showbiz after many netizens noticed the **absence of veteran actor Ricky Davao** at the funeral of **Pilita Corrales**, the so-called “Asia’s Queen of Songs.”

As personalities from different generations of the industry flocked to pay their last respects, **one big question** echoed among fans: *Where is Ricky Davao?*

According to insiders and the revelation of **Jackie Lou Blanco**, Ricky’s ex-wife, it emerged that **Ricky Davao** is suffering from a serious illness which is the reason why **he was unable to attend** a very important moment for their family.

> “I don’t want to say much, but Ricky is not okay. It’s not just fatigue or stress. He’s dealing with something heavy – physically and emotionally,” Jackie Lou allegedly said in a private conversation reported by some close family friends.

**Ara Davao**, the daughter of Ricky and Jackie Lou, also commented via social media where she **expressed the weight of what her family is going through.**

> “There’s so much going on behind the scenes. Please pray for my dad. We wish we could be there to personally thank everyone who’s supporting us.”

Ara’s every word was filled with emotion, along with her condolences and sympathy for the loss of their beloved Pilita Corrales, who was not only a pillar of music but also a close friend of their family

As of now, **the family has not yet released the exact details about Ricky’s illness**, but there are speculations that it is not only a physical condition but also possibly related to his mental health, especially amid the series of deaths of those close to him.

Many colleagues in the industry have expressed support and prayers for the actor. Some of them are **Cherry Pie Picache, Gina Alajar and Joel Torre**, who both expressed shock and concern.

The revelations from Jackie Lou and Ara **opened the conversation about the plight of veteran artists** who are suffering silently while the public’s eyes are focused on the fame and glamour of showbiz.

Behind Ricky Davao’s smile for the camera, there is a **deep battle** that most people don’t know about.

The entire nation is now eagerly awaiting the family’s official statement. Amidst the pain and sadness, everyone is raising a prayer for Ricky:

Ricky Davao on son’s coming out
Ricky Davao: “You have to accept. You have to move on.”
Ricky Davao burst into tears when he caught a glimpse of his daughter Rikki Mae’s picture on the LED screen in the Fast Talk With Boy Abunda studio during Boy Abunda’s live guesting interview this Tuesday afternoon, September 26, 2023.

Ricky couldn’t hold back his tears as they talked about the story of Rikki Mae coming out to him as a member of the LGBTQ community. “It was different coming out [to me],” Ricky said.

“I remember something happened at school, I heard.

“I was fixing my shoes and then I got angry, I threw a stone at her. I didn’t hit her. Then she cried.

“And then, the following day, I got a love letter saying sorry.

“She said, ‘Dad, I’m just different.’ That she’s an LGBT… that’s it.

“Of course, I accepted it right away because I love her and I respect whatever makes her happy.”

Ricky apologized for the unexpected outburst, forgetting to mention that Rikki Mae had confessed her gender preference to him through a handwritten letter on a yellow pad.

Ricky also shed tears when he spoke about Boy’s advocacy, Make Your Nanay and Tatay Proud, because he remembered his deceased parents.

“I always get touched every time you say that,” Ricky told Boy.

“They’re both gone. Then they couldn’t handle what I am now, so they’re hitting me.”

Ricky’s father is the late actor Charlie Davao.

After Boy’s interview with him, Ricky mentioned in Cabinet Files that he was only nine years old when he lost his mother to meningitis tuberculosis.

He grew up with his stepmother but missed the love of a real mother.

What is his reaction to his ex-wife Jackie Lou Blanco saying that she regrets breaking up with him?

The actor-director said, “It happened twenty years ago and we just have to move on. This happened, it wasn’t planned.

“You have to accept. You have to move on.”

Ricky admitted to Cabinet Files that he is very happy now with his relationship.