Ricky D and Dante R: A matter of comparison

Azucena co-stars Ricky Davao and Dante Rivero have some things in common, among them playing Tony Javier in Larawan, a adaptation from the Nick Joaquin classic play, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. More than two decades though separated their stage performances.

Dante played Tony Javier in the late '70s at the Raha Sulayman open theater in Fort Santiago, opposite two drama divas, Rita Gomez and Lolita Rodriguez. Ricky portrayed Tony Javier only a few years back at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the musical version of Larawan, pitting acting (and singing) talents with Celeste Legaspi and Zsa Zsa Padilla. Dante started as a matinee idol, a dream boat. leading man to the biggest actresses of the '70s. Ricky was initially a dancer-singer on television, doing thankless roles on the big screen. Both actors also tried action roles-- with little success. In the end, Ricky and Dante realized they were meant to be serious actors, playing good and bad guys, and those in between, with depth and range, ease and competence.

Those who have watched Azucena say that Ricky Davao and Dante Rivero are their best, an engrossing acting duel of sorts between two fine actors of different generations. Ricky is the bad guy, a suspended cop who vents his frustrations on his common- law wife (Glydel Mercado), daughter by his first wife (Alessandra de Rossi), and a dog butcher (Dante Rivero). "Never before have I been this bad, cruel and ruthless. Evil to the bone," says Ricky of his Azucena role.

Dante is the good guy, although he doesn't look one in the film. He's a loner; never smiles. He catches and butchers dogs without pity; cooks them adobo and kaldereta style. But a man who plays the harmonica with a passion can't be that bad. Beneath the tough facade is a kind heart who befriends and protects the cop's abused daughter. Azucena refers to the dog dish, but it may well describe Alessandra de Rossi's character; fresh, dainty, pure. So like the Azucena flower.

Aside from the dramatic confrontations, Ricky and Dante have fight scenes in Azucena which left them tired and weary, bones and muscles aching. Director Carlos Siguion Reyna is a demanding and exacting artist behind the camera and it shows in the finished product. In Azucena, Siguion Reyna blended commercial and artistic values, qualtiy entertainment at its best.

Ricky and Dante, along with Glydel and Alessandra, are this early being touted as probable awardees next year -- perhaps all of them in lead categories. Ditto with director Siguion Reyna, scriptwriter Eric Ramos, and the film itself. But what excites cast and staff most is the fact that Azucena, a drama with difference, was made -- and made well. Perhaps oly Reynafilms would gamble on such project.

Alessandra looks up to her senior co-stars, awardees all. Ricky won for Sukdulan, Ipagalaban Mo and Saranggola. Dante has awards for Wanted: Perfect Mother, Kung Bakit May Tinik ang mga Rosas, and the TV shows Kadenang Rosas and Esperanza. Glydel scored a grandslam this year for Sidhi.

Reynafilms plans to make a movie version of Larawan next year and Ricky and Dante hope to be cast in the project. Ricky as Tony Javier (but of course) and Dante as one of the senior characters in the Nick Joaquin classic.