The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
The deaths of actors Ricky Davao and Amay Bisaya have offered a discussion of how the two distinct showbiz personalities have affected and influenced the public consciousness and the entertainment industry.
Two icons with two or more extreme attributes.
Amay, Robert Gloria Reyes in real life, started his television, film and stage career as a production utility boy who served coffee, water and other needs on the set to movie stars and other creatives.
Until the late Fernando Poe, Jr. noticed his comedic talent and made him a funnyman.
FPJ gave Amay the right breaks in the movies which eventually led him to associate with other big names in the industry.
While his acting career was taking off, Bisaya was staying in the apartment of entertainment columnist Alfie Lorenzo who was at the time a neighbor of a fellow writer and talent manager Douglas Quijano (now both deceased) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
When he was earning more than what he could pay as a boarder, Bisaya rented for himself a small flat in Metro Manila.
Amay was the epitome of the kitsch and slapstick type of comedy.
No matter how we define his comedic performances, they endeared him to a lot of people in the industry from FPJ to Bong Revilla to Phillip Salvador to Cesar Montano or to his fellow character actors.
He was their fair-haired boy.
Meanwhile, within the inner recesses of Amay’s life, he wanted to rise to the top of the heap not only as a famous actor but as a leader not only in the show industry but the larger segments of society like his province and the whole country.
He tried his best in winning the gubernatorial seat of Bohol where his roots were and a senatorial slot under the ticket of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), the old timer political banner of the Marcoses.
But he both failed in those two political bids.
He was perceived to be a nuisance candidate because he was a comedian although industry residents could attest that he was a good man who just wanted to show his way as a leader.
Yes, Amay was a Marcos loyalist.
He, however, won the vice-presidency of the Katipunan ng mgs Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino at Telebisyon (KAPPT) or the Actors Guild during the tenure of Asia’s Sentimental Songstress Imelda Papin as president of guild.
It was also during this time that he suffered a stroke that led him incapacitated if not bedridden.
On the other hand, Ricky, Frederick Charles Caballes Davao in real life, was an exponent of an award-winning, respected and versatile actor onscreen and onstage.
He was considered one of the finest thespians the local entertainment business has ever produced.
Be it drama, action or comedy, Davao was a rated A performer.
Ricky was a chip of the old block being a son (he has a brother of Bing Davao, a good actor altogether) of the late gorgeous and competent veteran actor Charlie Davao.
Aside from acting, Ricky was also excellent in singing for he could carry a tune from the oldies but goldies to the pop tunes.
One of his outstanding musical achievements was interpreting and giving another dimension to the vernacular translations of the English classics and hit songs called salinawit by literary giant Jose F. Lacaba such as “‘Yun Lang,” adapted from the jazzy ballad “That’s All,” lyrics by Alan Brandt and music by Bob Haymes, “Sayaw,” from the danceable “Sway,” original Spanish lyrics and music by Rosas Rodriguez Pablo and English lyrics by Gimbel Norman.
Oh! Ricky Davao was a fantastic singer that he could even give many popular singers a run for their vocals.
For this alone, Ricky will always be around because of his films, music and stage plays.
Ricky died of complications from cancer (which wasn’t elucidated in reports).
He was cremated and his ashes were kept safe by his loved ones.
He was 63.
Meanwhile, Amay died due to a heart attack.
Bisaya’s remains lie in state at the St. Peter Memorial Chapels in Commonwealth Avenue until May 15, 2025.
May Ricky and Amay’s soul rest in peace.