Jackie Lou Blanco, kids find strength in each other after deaths in the family (2025)

(From left) Ricky Davao, Jackie Lou Blanco, and Pilita Corrales. Images: FILE PHOTOS

Jackie Lou Blanco confessed that the recent deaths of her mother Pilita Corrales and ex-husband, Ricky Davao have been difficult for her and her children, saying they are relying on God for strength to move forward.

Blanco told reporters that dealing with Corrales and Davao dying almost “at the same time” is tough, particularly for Kenneth, Rikki Mae, and Arabella, her children with the late actor-director.

“It’s been really very hard. Although Ricky has been very sick for the last couple of months, he really fought the good fight. It’s difficult because when you grieve, your grieving is not finished after you put them in their final resting place,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the post-humous awarding of the Presidential Medal of Meritin Malacañang for Corrales, Nora Aunor, Gloria Romero and Margarita Fores.

“We’re still grieving for my mom, and now we’re grieving for Ricky. It’s particularly hard for my children because they lost their dad and mamita at the same time. Was it difficult? Yes,” she continued.

Despite the loss, Blanco said she and her children have been praying for “God’s strength” to move forward. “We are just trying to draw strength from each other. We’re just praying for God’s strength that we are able to go through this together,” she said, adding that she reminds her kids to honor Corrales and Davao through how they live their lives.

“Ang sinasabi ko na lang sa mga bata, we honor your dad and mamita by being excellent in what you do, by being good people. Kung ano man ang pinakita [nila sa’tin], that’s what we try to share with other people. It’s difficult. It’s just hard,” she said.

(I tell the kids, “We honor your dad and mamita by being excellent in what you do and by being good people. Whatever they have shown us, that is what we try to share with other people. It’s difficult. It’s just hard.)

Corrales’ legacy

Despite feeling “bittersweet,” the actress is nonetheless grateful that Corrales was bestowed with a Presidential Order of Merit because it gives “credit where credit is due.”

“Bittersweet siya kasi when an honor like this is given, it’s either the person is there pa or the person is not there anymore,” she said. “We lost [my] mom, but it gives us comfort because hindi nasayang [ang mga ginawa niya]. Alam mong na-recognize siya, mga ginawa niya ay hindi lang para sa’min, para sa lahat.”

(It’s bittersweet because when an honor like this is given, it’s either that the person is still there or that the person is not there anymore. We lost my mom. But it gives us comfort because her efforts were not wasted. She and her efforts were recognized, and she did these things not only for herself but also for everyone.)

Blanco also recalled how Corrales and her stepdad used to sing for the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr., former first lady Imelda Marcos, and other guests in Malacañang. At the time, the current president, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., was just a little kid.”

“My mom and my stepdad before, they used to sing for all the guests — foreign and local — of the First Lady and President Marcos [Sr.] before,” she said.

“So, it’s nice that our president now is the one who’s giving this to her. I think he was just a little kid before when my mom would entertain other guests. I think it’s nice to know that my mother had been here and sang a lot of beautiful songs for the guests,” she continued.

When asked about what kind of legacy Corrales left to the country, Blanco said it is her “excellence” and how she “paved the way” for Filipino artists to be known.

“She was an artist who was very giving and very generous with her talent. She paved the way for so many other artists to make it not only locally but internationally. She opened the doors to many singers,” she said. “I think that’s how I want my mom to be remembered — as an excellent performer and as a very gracious person.”

Corrales, 87, died in her sleep on Saturday, April 12. Meanwhile, Davao died on Thursday, May 1, after battling complications due to cancer. He was 63 years old.