Ricky Davao’s GF Malca shares musings on his birthday

It’s my dear friend Ricky Davao’s birthday tomorrow. He would have been 64. It will be Ricky’s first celebration up above since he got his call slip from God. When I turned 60 last September, Ricky told me that I should watch his 2023 movie, “Monday First Screening.” It’s about finding love during our twilight years. And that’s exactly what happened to Ricky when he met Malca. Talk about life imitating art.

The longtime friendship that Ricky and I shared will live on through his “Bubba” Malca and me. Sis (Malca) is the precious gift that Ricky left me with.

In my prayer, I made a promise to Ricky that I will watch over Malca no matter what.

With the permission of Sis, I am sharing her ‘RICKYfied’ stories and ‘journal musings’:

I dreamt of Bubba briefly pag idlip ko. I haven’t been able to catch up on my sleep. Hirap pa din ako kasi di pa ko nakaka-recover.

Nakatalikod siya. Then, pag harap sa akin, he smiled and said, “Okay na.” Then, na-cut agad.

I googled what the dream meant. It says that it’s Ricky’s way of assuring me that he’s at peace. I hope next time, I will dream about him longer. So, I can feel his hugs again.

On Bubba’s birthday, my fam and I will offer a Mass for him. Then, we will stay overnight at a private resort in Bulacan. During his birthday dinner last year, Bubba and I were both in red. He chided me, but “Twinning tayo.”

Little did I know that it would be his last birthday that we would celebrate together and my last birthday (May 13) with him around.

As my way of coping with grief, I write my thoughts about Bubba in a journal. Here goes…

Love, crabs and unexpected celebrations

Every year as my partner Ricky’s birthday approaches, I find myself in a bit of a panic — not because he expects anything, but because he doesn’t. Bubba Ricky is the type of person who prefers simplicity.

He doesn’t want gifts, surprises or even planned celebrations. But ever since we became a couple, I’ve made it my mission to give him something meaningful — something to remember and cherish.

Last year was no different. I had been quietly planning another surprise dinner for him, much like what I organized in 2023. I scouted restaurants, drafted guest lists and considered all the little details. But during casual conversations, Bubba kept mentioning how much he wanted to eat crabs.

As luck would have it, on May 30, 2024, I was working from home, flexi time. That afternoon, Bubba suggested we have dinner at The Red Crab in Tomas Morato. He invited the Wednesday Club (first then another day for his other good friends), and I encouraged him to invite his children, too, so we could all enjoy the evening together.

Unbeknownst to him, I had already prepared my gifts: a sleek black polo shirt by his fave brand  and a beautiful Bloombox of olive dried flowers. He was genuinely surprised. True to form, he wasn’t expecting anything, but I’ve always believed in giving him things he can use or treasure for years to come.

When I handed him the gifts, he hugged me tightly, kissed me and whispered, “I love you so much, Baby. Thank you.”

There was one small moment of protest though — he was mildly annoyed that I paid the bill at The Red Crab. I simply smiled and told him it was okay. For him, I would do anything. After all, just weeks earlier, he had gone above and beyond for my 40th birthday. He planned a beautiful overnight stay in a private resort and even brought his children to Bulacan to meet my family. That meant the world to me.

Sometimes, love isn’t about grand gestures or picture-perfect surprises. Sometimes, it’s about crabs, unexpected dinners and showing up for each other in the most thoughtful, ordinary ways.

American ‘90s boy band 98 Degrees is performing on May 30 and 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena. For tickets, call 09300921948 and SM Ticketnet. It’s been over two decades since their last concert here but Nick Lachey, Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre and Drew Lachey still sound and look good. The ‘98D’ guys are all set to give their 100 percent.

98 Degrees concert

Titas and Titos of Manila unite. Get ready for lots of reminiscing and a grand sing-along as VAA Live brings back the famed R&B boy band 98 Degrees. In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the band created hits such as I Do (Cherish You), Because of You, Invisible Man (and more) that Pinoys fell in love with.

After 12 years, 98 Degrees has a new album called “Full Circle” with songs that will surely hit our heart’s bullseye.

Don’t miss their concert on May 30 and 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena. For tickets, call 09300921948 and SM Ticketnet. It’s been over two decades since their last concert here but Nick Lachey, Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre and Drew Lachey still sound and look good. The “98D” guys are all set to give their 100 percent.

Let the music of 98 Degrees make you recapture the kilig of being a lovestruck ‘90s kid.

Here are quotes from the 98 Degrees “hotties:”

Manila will always be close to our hearts because this is where our career took off in Asia back in the day. This is where we first felt like rock stars.

Our song for our Pinoy fans is Because of You. We are treated like royalty whenever we are here. So, we are forever grateful to you all.

We admire SB19. We would love to do a collab with them. Another Pinoy artist we admire is Jokoy.

Working with Stevie Wonder was a ‘pinch me moment’ for us. He treated us like one of his peers.

Just like the title of our new album, coming back to Manila after 25 years is a “Full Circle” moment for us.