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In the extravagant and glimmering world of the entertainment industry, being born to a famous family is a double-edged sword. Ricky Rivero, a descendant of a renowned family of Salvador, has experienced this throughout his career in show business.

In an interview on "TicTalk With Aster Amoyo" last April 28, Ricky revealed how proud he is to be in the clan of 'Salvadors' in the entertainment industry.

“Of course, I’m very proud of my heritage dahil marami na contribute ang mga Salvador's pagdating sa entertainment industry,” Reyes said. 

(Of course, I'm very proud of my heritage because the Salvadors have contributed a lot to the entertainment industry.) 

According to Ricky, his acting career was not simple for him, which put pressure on him to do better in the field of acting. 

Despite the setbacks and difficulties of carrying his family's name, Ricky chose to embrace his heritage and background rather than shying away from it. He knew from the shared experiences and encouragement from his family members who entered the industry that it would be his source of guidance and inspiration. 

“Nakaka pressure din na ang gagaling din ng mga nauna sa akin, but nung nagsisimula palang ako they are very supportive, their very encouraging,” he said in the interview.

(There is also pressure to get better from those who came before me, but when I was just starting out they were very supportive, they were very encouraging.)

No diploma needed in job description

For an actor-director from a prominent family of actors and actresses and a well-known director in the field, his success required no diploma. Ricky revealed that he did not finish school and could only finish his third year of high school.

When Ricky started his work in production in 1995, he said he began to become busy. The following year, he entered ABS-CBN and his career in the network continued for 19 years. 

“Hindi ko na naisipan bumalik sa pag-aaral because that was the work I wanted and I was there already. I mean, I was working with the best possible people in production," Ricky said.

(I didn't think about going back to school because that was the work I wanted, and I was there already. I mean, I was working with the best possible people in production.)

During his stay in ABS-CBN, Ricky said how he was able to work with almost all of the directors at that time and this experience gave him incomparable lessons as if he was in Harvard.

Still, the filmmaker did not underestimate the learning institutions. 

"Of course, you still learn a lot from these learning institutions. Pero, in my case, there's nothing better than learning it from the expert," he said.

(Of course, you still learn a lot from these learning institutions. But in my case, there's nothing better than learning it from the expert.)

Ricky said that in his four years as an assistant director, he saw how the filmmakers did things and how they directed the whole show.

“Iba pa rin when you’re actually there… four years ako nagging assistant director bago ako mabigyan ng break… para rin akong nagtapos ng college,” Ricky said.

(It's still different when you're actually there…I was an assistant director for four years before I was given a break… it's like I graduated from college.)

Taking a leap of faith in transitioning from acting to being a director, Ricky Rivero is determined to find his path in the industry. Ricky displayed a wide range of interests in entertainment. Experimenting with being location manager, assistant directing to directing how own crafts. 

“Hindi mo mapapantayan ang mga natutunan ko with Direct Chito Roño, Direct Lauren Dyogi, Wenn Deramas,” he said. 

(I can't compare what I learned with Direct Chito Roño, Direct Lauren Dyogi, Wenn Derama.)

Ricky worked on several projects, including Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil's "Forevermore" (2014), "Mula sa Puso" (2011), and "Kokey" (2007). This year marked the release of his directorial debut with the comedy film "D' Aswang Slayerz," starring Mel Martinez.

A fragile yet brave heart

On the quiet night of June 13, 2011, one of the most unfortunate incidents happened in Ricky’s life. He was stabbed by Hans Ivan Ruiz, a friend of 6 months whom he met on Facebook. 

“I considered him a friend, and yet nangyari pa rin yung nangyari,” he said. 

(I considered him a friend, but what happened still happened.)

Ricky was determined to survive no matter what, and that’s what kept him alive during that life-or-death situation. 

“When that happened to me, it never crossed my mind that this would be the end,” he said. He was against the idea that his life would end there and then. 

He managed to drive himself to the hospital with 17 stab wounds. He was even able to park his car before rushing to the emergency room. 

“Maayos lagi yung presence of mind ko pagdating sa emergencies and all,” he said.  

(I have a clear presence of mind when it comes to emergencies and all.)

Ricky, despite being an emotional person, did not put his feelings first when it came to emergencies and critical situations like this. He immediately knew what he needed to do and did not hesitate to fight for himself.

Having a soft heart in this cruel world is indeed courageous. The actor-director still continued to trust people regardless of experiencing a nightmare of betrayal from a trusted friend.

“Ang hirap naman kasing sabihin na ‘don’t trust anyone’ kasi kung ganun ka na lang mabubuhay… magiging paranoid ka na lang for life,” he said. 

(It’s difficult to say ‘don’t trust anyone’ because if you live like that… you’ll be paranoid all your life.)

Ricky Rivero in episode 142 of TicTALK with Aster Amoyo (YouTube)

Still human behind masks

Societal norms are not easy to break, but times are changing, and people have become more receptive to breaking the history of 'ideal' body image. Yet, Ricky fell into the hole of these norms as he opened up on how he became a victim of body shaming.

Ricky shared that since he was a teenager, he and his friends talked about the reason behind the instances–when two people haven't seen each other in a long time, why would someone greet each other by saying "Ay tumaba ka!" (You gained weight!) or "Ay pumayat ka!" (You lost weight)

“Weight lagi yung major issues na napag-uusapan…Syempre, may ibang bagay naman na dapat kamustahin dun sa tao,” Ricky said.

(Weight is always the major issue that is usually discussed…Of course, there are other things that can be said about a person by asking how they are)

It was inside the mall when Ricky experienced receiving unsolicited comments from a random stranger.

The actor-director recalled how he rarely went to the mall, but at that time, he needed to go out of the house as he remembered he was also facing a problem.

“Naglalakad lang ako sa ground floor…medjo teary-eyed pa ako kasi alam ko malaki yung problema ko nun eh,” Ricky said. 

(I was just walking on the ground floor… I'm quite teary-eyed because I know I have a big problem.)

Then, from out of nowhere, a random lady overtook him and gave him a strong pat on his back. Ricky thought it was one of his friends, but he was surprised it was a complete stranger.

“Tapos sabi niya, ‘Uy Ricky Rivero, yung artista, ba’t ang taba mo?,” Ricky said.

(Then she said, 'Hey Ricky Rivero, the actor, why are you so fat?')

“Wala naman ako ginawa sa kaniya, tapos nam-mroblema pa ako,” Ricky laughed as he recalled the events of what happened.

(I didn't do anything to her, and then I was having problems at the same time.)

It's not really the best experience if one would rarely go to a place and end up hearing an unsought comment from a stranger, and to top it off – if their day is not in its tip-top shape. 

In the end, Ricky responded with, “Ako po kasi mataba po ako, may pag-asa pa po akong pumayat. Pero po kayo, pangit po kayo kaya wala na po kayong pag-asa gumanda.”

(I am fat, and I still have the chance to lose weight. But you, you are ugly that there is no chance of you becoming beautiful.)

Ricky said he did not expect to say those words, especially to a stranger. Then, he reminded the people that artists are just humans.

“Naiintindihan naman namin na pumasok kami sa showbiz na parang open na sa public yung buhay namin. Pero sana maintindihan niyo rin na syempre tao rin kami, may dala dala rin kaming problema,” Ricky said.

(We understand that we entered showbiz, and our lives are open to the public. But I hope you also understand that of course, we are also humans, we also have problems.)

The actor-director said to always choose kindness as, after all, they are just humans.

"Be careful with what you say. Lahat tayo may pinagdadaanan. Let's always choose kindness," he said. 

(Be careful with what you say. We all go through something. Let's always choose kindness.)

Being an actor isn't all about glitz and glamor as it might seem to be under the lights and cameras. Behind the masks they wear and their roles, these artists are humans who feel emotions as much as ordinary people do.

It may be part of their job to be under the audience's scrutiny, but being compassionate goes a long way.

A fighter til the end

Ricky’s health began to deteriorate during 2014 to 2015—the busiest years of his production career. 

“Yung lack of sleep and rest tsaka yung stress sa trabaho, yun yung nagcause ng aking heart failure,” he said. 

In 2015, he suffered from a heart attack twice. 

In the interview, he stressed the importance of sleeping and resting. He advised that there should be a balance between work and personal life. 

“If I have one advice to tell our viewers dito sa TicTALK, is wag niyo maliitin yung halaga ng pagtulog," Ricky said.

Ricky eventually passed away last Sunday at the age of 51. His death was confirmed by his partner through a Facebook post. 

No cause of death was disclosed. However, Ricky reportedly suffered a stroke in May and has since been admitted to the Philippine Heart Center. 

Ricky's remains are scheduled to be buried at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, on July 21, and his bereaved family plans to have him cremated after four days of mourning. (Jaff Emielene Conejos, Mondrein Mikolei Lizarte, and Kyla Mari Paulo/OJTs/University of Santo Tomas)

For the full show, click: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSPhN0WD3Kc