Glaiza de Castro was visibly holding back tears as she talked about Ricky Davao after the special screening of “58th” at Cinemalaya Thursday night.
The actress had just watched the film with us at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City, and she was beaming as she shared how proud she was to be part of such a meaningful project.
But when the questions turned to Davao, the night became personal for her.
Davao plays her father in the film, but their relationship went beyond what viewers will see on screen.
“Lagi kong naaalala sa kanya, he’s just so jolly sa set,” De Castro told us.
She smiled as she recalled how they worked together on “58th” while also doing “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre” and “Sinagtala.”
At one point, she even teased him about taking on so much work.
“Direk, ang sipag mo naman, parang lahat na ginawa mo,” she recalled telling Davao.
Then there's the belt.
Davao had given her one while they were shooting “58th,” showing her how to use it to secure her lapel microphone. It was something he had picked up from his theater experience.
She eventually misplaced it.
But when she finally found it again, it was also when she learned that Davao had passed away.
Davao died on May 1, 2025 at 63 after battling cancer.
De Castro also shared what Davao's daughter, Rikkie Mae, told her.
She said De Castro was one of her father's favorite actors to work with.
That was when the actress started getting emotional.
“Naiiyak ako kasi special sa akin si Direk Ricky,” she said, noting how Davao had been her director in "Grazilda," her first titular lead role.
“Naging director ko rin siya sa ‘Sang'gre,’” she said.
“Hindi lang siya co-actor for me, siguro siya yung natuturing kong tatay sa showbiz.”
It was ironic, considering that Davao's final screen role was that of her character's father.
In “58th,” Davao plays Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, a photojournalist who was among those killed in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
His remains were never found.
His daughter, Reynafe, played by De Castro, continues the fight to have him recognized as the 58th victim.
The film has already been screened abroad, including at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and Doc Edge in New Zealand.
But De Castro had been waiting for the film to finally be shown in the Philippines.
“It’s different when it’s shown here in the Philippines. The impact is different,” she said.
“58th” is not an easy story.
The Nov. 23, 2009 massacre claimed 58 lives, including 32 journalists. But because Momay's remains were never recovered, only 57 victims were included in the court's murder convictions.
That is where the film gets its title.
De Castro knows some people may find the subject difficult to watch, but she believes that is also why it needs to be seen.
“I know it’s not a light story, but it’s one of those stories that we shouldn’t forget,” she said.
She is particularly proud that the film can introduce the tragedy to a new generation.
“I’m proud to have been part of it and to be able to share with the new generation what happened.”
“I know na telling this story served its purpose at bilang isang aktor, isa yun sa mga goals ko na makapagsabi rin kung ano yung totoo,” she added.
That is what made the Cinemalaya screening different for De Castro.
She was there to celebrate “58th” finally being shown to Filipino audiences, but she was also watching the final screen performance of someone she considered more than a co-star.
Someone she called her “tatay sa showbiz.”
He calls you to be rooted in His love and filled with His presence, strengthened by His Spirit and overflowing with His fullness. (Ephesians 3:17-19)
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