In the history of Philippine film and television, the presence of love stories that have touched the hearts of the public is undeniable. But the relationship between Ricky Davao and Jackie Lou Blanco stands out. It was not just about a romance between two well-known personalities. It was also a story of friendship, sacrifice, parenthood, and a journey toward forgiveness and peace—even amidst separation.

In this video, we explore how the love between Jackie Lou Blanco and Ricky Davao began. What led to their separation? How did they rebuild a friendship from it? Here is the story of their love.

It all began in the 1980s, during a taping of the GMA Supershow. Ricky Davao, an accomplished actor and former dancer with the group Viker Crowd, was scheduled to perform a duet with Snooky Serna. But unexpectedly, Snooky couldn’t make it. As a stand-in, Jackie Lou Blanco was brought in—a newcomer to showbiz and the daughter of the famous singer Pilita Corrales.

Though it wasn’t planned, that moment marked the beginning of their friendship. And like many great stories, that friendship slowly blossomed into love. In interviews, both Ricky and Jackie admitted it wasn’t love at first sight. But as they worked together, their connection deepened. Amid the hectic world of showbiz, they found peace and care in each other.

In 1985, Ricky Davao and Jackie Lou Blanco officially became a couple. Over their four-year relationship, they got to know each other not just as artists, but as people with different personalities, perspectives, and dreams. Despite their differences, they chose to fight for their relationship. In 1989, after four years of dating, they got married. It wasn’t a grand ceremony, but it was filled with true love.

In the following years, their union bore three children: Kenneth, Ricky May, and Arabella. Though both were busy with their careers, they made every effort to balance parenthood with being public figures. In an interview, Jackie Lou shared that despite living under the spotlight, they tried to keep their home life as private and normal as possible.

In public, their relationship seemed perfect. But behind the scenes, they were not immune to challenges. Over time, cracks began to show. The causes of their conflict were never detailed, and they chose to stay silent about it. But it became clear there were emotional and personal issues they could not overcome.

There was no third party involved. According to Jackie Lou, the problem wasn’t about someone else—it was about the two of them. They tried to fix things, but in the end, they decided to separate in 2011. It was a painful decision, especially for their children.

In interviews, Jackie Lou admitted that if there was one thing she could go back and change, it would be their separation. Ricky, on the other hand, said he never planned for the breakup. “We just have to move on,” he said. He acknowledged the pain of the process—anger, denial, and eventually, acceptance. Though there were regrets, they both chose to rise and move forward.

Jackie Lou later entered a new relationship, but it didn’t last. She admitted it wasn’t right and maybe she wasn’t ready—especially since she and Ricky were still legally married. Since then, she chose to remain single, focusing on her family, career, and herself.

Ricky eventually found love again. In a 2023 interview, he happily shared that he was in a relationship with a non-showbiz partner. He didn’t name her, but expressed his happiness and said his children supported the relationship.

Despite their separation, Ricky and Jackie Lou remained good friends. “We’re not chummy,” Jackie Lou said, “but we have open communication, especially for the kids.” Their houses were just two blocks apart, so the children could freely visit either parent. Their co-parenting worked. Kenneth, Ricky May, and Arabella grew up with close relationships to both their parents. Their mutual understanding and support made the family bond stronger, even though they took separate paths.

It seems that the connection between Ricky and Jackie Lou was never truly broken. In 2021, and again in 2023, they worked together on projects for GMA Network—one of which was I Can See You: Alternate, where they were paired once more. While many fans hoped they’d reconcile, both clarified it was purely professional. Still, the respect, comfort, and enduring bond between them was undeniable.

On May 1, 2025, Ricky Davao passed away at the age of 63. Reports say he had been quietly battling an illness for some time. According to an official statement from his daughter Arabella Davao, the actor died due to complications from a type of cancer.

Following this, Jackie Lou also released a statement, saying she was by his side when he passed—together with their children and other loved ones. She felt Ricky’s love for their family even in his final moments. It proved that although their romantic paths diverged, the bond and love between them remained undeniable. Ricky passed away without anger in his heart—only love from his family.

Ricky Davao’s death was not just the loss of an artist, but of a father, a friend, and a former husband who, despite everything, was deeply loved to the end. His and Jackie Lou’s story is not the classic “forever” love tale that ends in marriage. Instead, it is a story of love that endured through failure.

In Ricky’s final chapter, Jackie Lou proved that true love is not measured by status or labels—but by presence, care, and compassion. Their relationship, separation, and continued friendship show that love takes many forms and isn’t confined to lifelong romantic union.

In the actor’s final moments, Jackie Lou showed that there are memories and promises time can never erase. Their legacy is their family. Their three children—Kenneth, Ricky May, and Arabella—are living reflections of the love and dedication of two people who chose to prioritize their children’s well-being over their own.