Ricky Lo, remembered by colleagues and bosses in GMA
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Showbiz News
Ricky Lo's colleagues and bosses in GMA-7 recall their fondest memories with him.
It's been days since veteran entertainment columnist and former TV host Ricky Lo's sudden passing, and the showbiz industry continues to mourn his death.
For many, his demise meant the loss of a pillar, colleague, mentor, and friend.
Ricky has had an outstanding career as an entertainment writer and editor that spanned decades.
And he has also authored two books titled 'Star-Studded' and 'Conversations with Ricky Lo.'
But aside from those, Ricky also had a colorful career as a TV host for some Kapuso showbiz-oriented talk shows such as 'Startalk,' 'CelebriTV,' 'The Ricky Lo Exclusives,' and 'Showbiz Stripped.'
Ricky was also hailed as PMPC Star Awards for Televisions' Best Male Showbiz-Oriented Talk Show Host for two years in a row, in 2014 and 2015.
The hosts of 'Startalk' (left to right): Joey de Leon, Lolit Solis, Butch Francisco and Ricky Lo / Source: @akosilolitsolis (IG)
One of the people whom Ricky has worked with in GMA is Mildred Natividad, who was the Program Manager of 'Startalk' from 2012 to 2015 and 'CelebriTV' from 2015 to 2016.
Ms. Natividad remembers Ricky Lo as a TV host with a very impressive work ethic.
“Ricky gives inputs and adds his own questions during guest interviews, especially when he happens to have featured the guest in his column "Conversations with Ricky Lo" and "Funfare" in Philippine Star.
“He comes early in the show and he is very passionate about his work that whenever he does interviews with international celebrities, sometimes he would call me and ask me if it would be interesting as a feature in our show because if we would say yes, he would give us materials whenever possible.”
Ms. Nativiad also recalls some of the sweetest gestures of the late media icon.
“Ricky's very sweet and thoughtful. Sometimes he would give us chocolates or any pasalubong when he arrives from abroad to attend an international press junket.
“Oftentimes, when he comes to the studio, he would ask me how my husband is doing. My husband worked with him on his first tv showbiz talk show, 'The Buzz.'
She also recounted how thoughtful Ricky was to the people he's worked with, regardless if he hasn't seen them in a while.
“Last year he texted me twice on my birthday to greet me. In the morning, which I was not able to answer, and in the evening, which I was able to answer already.
“I was touched because even if we haven't seen each other for a long time, he remembered to greet me on my birthday. It was during this month of May.“
Ms. Natividad then reflected on Ricky's untimely passing.
“Tito Ricky Lo will always be remembered by everybody in the world of print and tv entertainment.
“He was a well-respected journalist, gaining the trust of many celebrities with their career and personal lives.
“He will be missed in the entertainment industry. He may be gone but will always be remembered.”
Another colleague that Ricky has worked closely with for over two decades is Angel Javier-Cruz, GMA's Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications.
Ms. Javier has nothing but nice things to say about the late veteran columnist.
"Tito Ricky has always been mild-mannered and gentle with a hint of naughtiness that was never offensive.
“I've known him since 1998 and since then he was consistently kind and accommodating.”
Ricky's death was sad and shocking news for Ms. Javier, especially since they still communicated a few days before he died.
“We were just talking a few days before he passed and I didn't realize that it would be our last conversation.
“Truly a loss to the showbiz industry but his legacy will live in our hearts and minds. Rest now in God's arms, Tito Ricky."
GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara also recalled her moments with Ricky Lo.
“My fondest memory is of Tito Ricky always smiling and teasing people, he would sometimes talk to me in Chinese and we always shared a laugh.
“I will miss his kindness and his consideration for our artists.
“He was a pillar of the entertainment industry and I feel honored to have had the chance to know him and work with him.
Truly, Ricky Lo has left an indelible mark in the entertainment industry and has made a positive impact in the lives of many people, from his colleagues and bosses in the print and TV media to the celebrities whose careers he helped flourish, to his followers who religiously read his published works and anticipated his hottest scoops on TV.
He may have moved on but Ricky Lo's legacy and memory will definitely live on in the hearts of people whose lives he has touched.
Thank you and farewell to our Kapuso, Ricky Lo.
See how celebrities paid tribute to the late Ricky Lo in the gallery below.
