Ronaldo Naldo Ricketts, popularly known as Ronnie Ricketts, is the former President of the Philippine Film Actors Guild, and former Chairman of Optical Media Board, Philippines. He is an actor, scriptwriter, film director, line producer, and martial artist. He is one of the top action stars in Philippine movies and is famous for his martial arts expertise. In 2013, Ricketts' OMB office received the Most Outstanding Accounting Office Award from the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines. In 2016, he ran for Congressman of Muntinlupa City, Philippines.
Film career
Ricketts was a ramp model before he entered the movie industry in the early 1980s. He was first noticed by RVQ's film production as a potential handsome action star. He was introduced in the Dolphy-Nida Blanca film, My Heart Belongs to Daddy, where he was paired with Maricel Soriano. He was being billed as the other love interest of Soriano in the movie I Love You, I Hate You, together with William Martinez, and The Graduates under Regal Films starring Snooky Serna and Gabby Concepcion. He was cast in several Dolphy-Alma Moreno movies such as Good Morning, Professor and Crazy Professor with Aga Muhlach and Janice de Belen. His movies were a blend of drama, comedy and action. He worked with other action stars that were also at the peak of their careers, Lito Lapid, Dante Varona and Bong Revilla. His unforgettable portrayal was with Revilla in the Imus Production's Sparrow Unit, where he won an award as Best Supporting Actor. He was nominated as Best Supporting Actor FAMAS Award in the movie Sparrow Unit, and FAMASBest Actor in the movies Tatak ng Isang Api, and Isa-Isahin Ko Kayo. He landed lead roles in movies such as Uzi Brothers 9mm with Sonny Parsons, Target: Maganto, Gapos Gang, Baril Ko ang Uusig, and Matira ang Matibay to name a few, some of which he did with his own movie outfit, Rockets Productions. He had the chance to play opposite many leading ladies such as Beverly Vergel, Vina Morales, and his real life partner, Mariz. In 1994, Ricketts started producing movies through Rockets Productions. He was one of the youngest producers in tinsel town, who was able to produce quality films at reasonably low budgets. The company produced films which he himself wrote and directed. One of his projects, Mano Mano was a testament of his creative talent, he wrote the script, played the lead role, directed and produced the movie where he was credited as Ronn-Rick, which became a big hit. The movie was so popular that a follow-up was inevitable. There were two sequels to the film - Mano Mano 2 and Mano Mano 3. He has received the Fernando Poe, Jr. Memorial Award and a star in the Walk of Fame in Eastwood. In 2013, he starred on the film The Fighting Chefs in which he was also its director. It served as his film comeback.
Optical Media Board (OMB)
In 2009, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, appointed Ricketts as the Chairman of the Optical Media Board following the resignation of Edu Manzano. He received many awards and recognitions with his staff for his excellent performance as chairman of OMB, like Face of the Global Anti-Piracy of TFC-ABS-CBN, Certificate of Recognition on Anti-Piracy from the FAMAS, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines-IPR Enforcement Champion, MMDA Achievement Award, SM Cinema Certificate of Recognition Association of Video Distributors in the Philippines, Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, Certificate of Recognition Upholding Anti-Piracy, and Plaque of Recognition Against Piracy from PARI and AWIT Awards. Ricketts agreed to direct and appear in an action movie with Viva Films on condition that he would only shoot on weekends so as not to hamper his job as chairman of Optical Media Board. He has so far turned down offers to appear in shows on the three major networks - ABS-CBN 2, GMA 7 and TV5 - because his work with the OMB "has now become a passion."
Martial Arts
Ronnie, a real and reel fighter is versed in several forms of Martial arts including the Filipino Warrior Art Kali Ilustrisimo. Ronnie is the brother of Grandmaster Christopher "Topher" Ricketts the founder of the Martial Arts Brotherhood – Bakbakan International. Long before MMA or Mixed Martial Arts became what it is today, Bakbakan was already utilizing different forms of martial arts. From stand-up fighting, grappling to weapons training. Bakbakan means something along the lines of a free-for-all brawl. It focuses on street lethal applications which are honed thru constant full-contact sparring. In 2004 Master Ronnie Ricketts, GM Topher Ricketts and Guro Bruce Ricketts were given recognition by no less than the US Special ForcesJoint Task Force after sharing combative lessons to AFP and US soldiers. After the passing of GM Topher Ricketts, the continuity of the Bakbakan legacy now lies on the shoulders of Master Ronnie, it's core members and a new breed of worthy warriors.
