Ricky Lo, Superstar In His Own Right, Writes 30; Tributes Pour In

Ricardo “Ricky” Lo, The Philippine STAR’s long-time Entertainment editor and columnist, passed away Tuesday night, May 4, leaving behind a legacy unrivaled in the field of entertainment journalism.

Sir Ricky, as he was fondly called by colleagues at his Port Area newspaper, died past 10 p.m. due to stroke, according to an official statement by his younger sister Susan Lee. He turned 75 on April 21.

Ricky was dubbed as “the superstar of the movie press.” He “eschewed vulgar and vapid journalism for vintage entertainment writing. This brought out his characters in their diverse moods, graces and tempers, with a style that was at once alive, pointed and picturesque. Very few journalists achieve this blend,” the late Teodoro “Teddy” Benigno Jr. once wrote in a column. Teodoro was a leading Filipino journalist with a career spanning seven decades.

Ricky would document his signature showbiz storytelling in the books “Star-Studded” (1995) and “Conversations with Ricky Lo” (2001), which carried “groundbreaking pieces in which the stars interviewed reveal for the first time hidden facets and/or tightly guarded secrets of their lives.”

“And I thank them for trusting me and, in the process, putting their lives in my hands,” Ricky said.

Since the announcement of his passing, tributes from celebrities, fellow journalists, industry bigwigs have poured in for the well-loved editor.

Viva boss Vic del Rosario Jr. said that he and Ricky started their careers in entertainment at the same time. “I formed Vicor Music in 1966. I met him a short while after that. He was a young writer who was always eager to be of help. During my past 55 years in the business, Ricky was always there. He loved show business and was ever supportive of all my endeavors. Be it music, the movies, managing talents, anything, he always had my back. My mornings will not be the same without Ricky’s pages to start my day with. Rest well, my dear friend.”

Veteran talent manager Annabelle Rama said Ricky was already part of the Gutierrez family.

“He’s family. Siya lang ang reporter na hindi ako makapagsabi ng no or ‘di ko alam. Once he asks me something, hindi ako pwede magsinungaling dyan. Siya lang talaga ang sinasabihan ko ng blind item at secrets. Hinahabol-habol ko pa lang si Eddie Gutierrez, alam na ni Ricky lahat ng sikreto ko. Ay naku nalungkot ako!”

Broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez recalled how Ricky began as her tormentor. “In the ‘80s and ‘90s, everyone in the industry revered and feared him. His Philippine STAR column was the column to be in. He makes or breaks you. Through years of talking he became a friend and supporter of this struggling, determined TV reporter and host. I gave him the scoops. And the friend eventually became an ally. In later years Ricky Lo was still Ricky Lo.”

Singer Joey Albert, on the other hand, said the editor was there for her even beyond interviews. “Ricky was always there for me whenever I had cancer... and not just for interviews... He would text me messages of hope every now and then. He was a genuinely loving person and I am blessed to have been touched by his kindness.”

Singer-host Martin Nievera said he couldn’t help but cry when he learned of his passing.

“Ricky was one of the most feared and most respected writers we will ever know. If you got a Ricky Lo review it was always a ‘keeper.’ When you got a Ricky Lo blind item it was a ‘creeper,’ because 99.9 percent of the time he was right. How did he know? The world will never know.

“Well, I am blessed to say I had my share of Ricky Lo Keepers and Creepers, but what I am proudest to say is through it all Ricky was a friend. A dear friend whose words and wisdom to this day are as valuable as hidden treasure. I will miss him very much. The industry will never find another Ricky Lo. He could make you or break you and still be impossible not to love. I love you, Ricky! Thank you for documenting every memorable moment in my life and career. My every ‘Ricky high’ and my every ‘Ricky Lo.’”

 According to singer-composer Jose Mari Chan, he has known Ricky for more than 51 years. “He was a good man, a gentle person, a loyal friend who never had anything bad or mean to say about another person. He was proud of his Chinese ancestry and was a consistent supporter of local artists. Ricky will surely be missed.”

Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares said: “We lost a revered writer and dear family friend. Tito Ricky was like family to us. Not only did he write about almost all of our family’s milestones, he celebrated them with us. He remained very humble and low-key even if he was one of the most sought-after showbiz and entertainment writers. Tito Ricky always knew how to put his interviewees at ease and treat them with respect.”

“The name Ricky Lo became synonymous with the latest showbiz scoop because he always prioritized the truth and highlighted the positive values of his subjects. He was a credible and prolific writer. It’s heartbreaking to lose a true friend and champion of the entertainment industry,” she added.

Ricky’s daily columns were the first drafts of the history of Philippine cinema, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said in a statement issued as a tribute to the late editor.

On his column, Recto noted: “Compile them and the results are the authoritative annals of the local film industry, by someone who penned it with a keen eye and a sense of fairness from his front-row seat.”

“His daily reportage, if pieced together into a film reel, would tell the complete story of an industry whose impact on people and influence on society are great,” Recto stated.

Recto said stars come and go, but Ricky had “staying power” as he earned respect due to the “admirable practice of his craft.”

Recto’s wife and actress-turned-politician Vilma Santos also offered condolences to the family of Ricky. “Thank you, Ricky. I love you, my friend!!! I will miss you. Rest in peace,” Santos posted on Instagram.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. also mourned the passing of Ricky.

“He was a media icon, deservedly so; an immortal in his genre. Ricky Lo. You didn’t exist socially if he didn’t mention you,” he said in a post on Twitter.

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. described “Kuya Ricky” as “one of the kindest people I have met and it is my honor and privilege to have had him as a friend.”

“He was frank but always fair, and his heart was always in the right place,” Revilla wrote on Facebook.

The senator, who was an actor before he entered public service, revealed that Ricky was there for him during the lowest point of his life.

Sen. Nancy Binay also said in a tweet that she will always be grateful for the kind words and wise advice from Ricky.

Sanchez and another broadcast journalist Karen Davila said it was the end of an era in showbiz reporting and Ricky would never be forgotten.

“Kind and soft-spoken but would always get the scoop! He was always first. You either feared or loved him – depending [on] how you ended up on his powerful column. Tough act to follow,” she tweeted.

Entertainment and lifestyle journalist MJ Felipe, a colleague of Ricky, said the body of work of the columnist was “unparalleled.”

“Tito Ricky Lo was a friend, mentor, junket-mate, and more…I’m grateful for all the nuggets of wisdom he shared with me. @PhilippineStar was truly blessed to have him as their entertainment editor for 35 years! We will miss you Tito Ricky!” he posted.

Entertainment and sports reporter Dyan Castillejo also took to social media to express her disbelief over the sudden death of Ricky, describing him as an “institution” in the field of show business.

“Sad and can’t believe this. [I] will super miss Ricky Lo! Such an institution. Ricky, thank you so much for the friendship. You will be really missed. I love you! Big hugs, my friend!” she wrote on Twitter.

In an Instagram post, comedienne Ai-ai delas Alas mourned the passing of Lo whom she called one of her “real friends” in the showbiz industry.

Singer Mark Bautista in a Facebook post said he was also shocked to hear the sudden passing of Ricky. The post came with the “first and last photo” of them together when Ricky visited Bautista in London.

Actor Richard Yap likewise posted on Twitter, “So shocked and sad to hear about the passing of Ricky Lo, we had just talked to each other less than two weeks ago before he printed this article about me.”

“He will be sorely missed. Another good soul [has] gone too soon,” he added. –  With Franz Lewin Embudo, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Helen Flores, Paolo Romero