Ronnie Ricketts

Ronald Naldo Ricketts, popularly known as Ronnie Ricketts, is a Filipino actor, scriptwriter, film director, line producer, and martial artist who is the former president of the Philippine Film Actors Guild, and former chairman of Optical Media Board (OMB), a government agency that regulates recording optical media in the Philippines.

Film career Ronnie Ricketts is a martial artist and was a ramp model before he entered the movie industry in the early 1980s. He was first noticed by RVQ's (Dolphy) film production as a potential action star.

He was introduced in the Dolphy-Nida Blanca film, My Heart Belongs to Daddy (1982), where he was paired with Maricel Soriano. He was being billed as the other love interest of Soriano in the film I Love You, I Hate You (1983), together with William Martinez, and The Graduates (1986) under Regal Films starring Snooky Serna and Gabby Concepcion.

He was cast in several Dolphy-Alma Moreno movies such as Good Morning, Professor (1982) and Crazy Professor (1985) 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 film Target: Sparrow Unit (1987), and FAMAS Best Actor in the movies Tatak ng Isang Api (1989), and Isa-Isahin Ko Kayo (1990).

He landed lead roles in movies such as Uzi Brothers 9mm (1989) with Sonny Parsons, Target: Maganto (1989), Gapos Gang (1989), Baril Ko ang Uusig (1990), and Matira ang Matibay (1995) to name a few, some of which he did with his own movie outfit, Rocketts Productions. He had the chance to play opposite many leading ladies such as Beverly Vergel, Vina Morales, and his real life partner, Mariz.

Ricketts also co-starred in international action movies with Taiwanese actress Cynthia Khan in Ultimate Revenge (1995) and Angel on Fire (1995) and with American Actor Burton Richardson in One Percent Full (2007).

In 1994, Ricketts started producing films through Rocketts Productions. He was one of the youngest producers in tinsel town, who was able to produce films at reasonable budgets. The company produced films which he himself wrote, directed and acted in along with members of his family.

In one of his projects, Mano Mano (1995), he wrote the script, played the lead role, directed and produced. He was credited as Ronn-Rick as the director of the film. There were two sequels to the film - Mano Mano 2 (2001) and Mano Mano 3 (2004).

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.

As Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman On October 21, 2009, former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, appointed Ricketts as the chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB) following the resignation of television host Edu Manzano.

Ricketts has received several awards and recognitions with his staff for his 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 (AVIDPHIL), 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 film 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."

2010 Sky High raid, suspension, conviction and acquittal On May 27, 2010, the OMB initiated a raid on the Sky High Marketing Corporation offices in Quiapo, Manila (the district where flea market stalls selling pirated copies of films, television shows and songs in CD [includes VCD] and DVD optical disc formats are common, designated by the Office of the United States Trade Representative [USTR] as "notorious piracy hotspot" ), arresting three Chinese nationals. Pirated DVDs and VCDs contained in 127 boxes and two sacks were seized, and were brought to the OMB office as evidence. No charges were filed against Sky High Marketing.

In August 2014, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the suspension of Ricketts, Executive Director Cyrus Paul Valenzuela, and three other OMB officials for their "neglect of duty". Valenzuela later denied being part of the pullout, stating that he was included in the case only because of the presumption that he, as executive director, would know about every OMB operation.

On March 15, 2019, Ricketts, along with an OMB computer operator, was convicted of graft (Republic Act No. 3019) by the Sandiganbayan (Special Fourth Division), both were sentenced to prison for 6–8 years and perpetually disqualified from holding public office. He though immediately posted a bail bond after the decision. Three OMB's executive directors were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The court also lifted the hold departure order issued against Ricketts, with his cash bond released.

Martial arts career Ricketts started training martial arts at the age of 5 under the guidance and tutelage of his eldest brother the late Grand Master Christopher "Topher" Ricketts. He studied different forms of martial arts ranging from Okinawan karate, Budokan karate, Kūdō, Ngo Cho Kung-fu, boxing and then later transitioned to Filipino martial arts (FMA) where he was immersed to intensive trainings of Kali, Arnis and Sagasa Kickboxing.

He adapted the Sagasa method of Kali and Arnis that was developed by GM Christopher "Topher" Ricketts, a style that focused on powerful and direct strikes combined with boxing, kickboxing, striking, throwing and grappling. He was also personally trained by Lameco Eskrima founder GM Edgar Sulite.

As a lifelong martial artist Ricketts is an advocate of continuous learning where he shared during his Facebook live feed that he is also training modern day martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and mixed martial arts (MMA).

Ricketts is a senior and one of the first generation member of Bakbakan International, a martial arts organization founded by his brother GM Topher Ricketts.

Currently Ricketts is continuing the legacy and preserving the style of the Sagasa martial arts system where he teaches it with an incorporation of modern-day martial arts to new generation of martial artists, MMA fighters, military and law enforcement agencies. He is also sharing self-defense and martial arts techniques in social media and internet streaming platforms through his YouTube channel Ricketts TV.

In 2004, Ricketts, Grand Master Topher Ricketts and Punong Guro Bruce Ricketts were given recognition by the US and Philippine Special Forces - Joint Task Force after sharing combative lessons to Philippine and American soldiers.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 1982 My Heart Belongs to Daddy Good Morning, Professor 1983 I Love You, I Hate You Julian Love Birds 1984 Sa Hirap at Ginhawa Joey 1985 Heated Vengeance soldier The Crazy Professor Marlo 1986 John & Marsha '86: TNT sa Amerika The Graduates I Love You Mama, I Love You Papa Gordon Bodyguard: Masyong Bagwisa Jr. Roy Agaw Armas Nakagapos Na Puso Leo Lozano Payaso 1987 Kamandag ng Kris (Kris Commando) Lt. Raoul Basco Cabarlo Target: Sparrow Unit Jose Mga Agila ng Arkong Bato The Rookies and the Mighty Kids 1988 Dongalo Massacre Target... Maganto Lt. Col. Romeo Maganto Urban Terrorist Tumayo Ka't... Lumaban Crisanto Ambush Ka Mario Sgt. Victor Magno: Kumakasa Kahit Nag-iisa Sgt. Victor Magno 1989 Alex Boncayao Brigade Romy Tatak ng Isang Api Geron Gapos Gang (Robinhood ng Quiapo) Bobot Versoza Uzi Brothers 9mm Tom Black Sheep Baby My Darling Domestic (Greyt Eskeyp) 1990 Kakampi Ko ang Diyos Waldo Iisa-Isahin Ko Kayo! Baril Ko ang Uusig Ronquillo 1991 Junior Elvis: Nakaukit Na ang Lapida Mo Anak ng Dagat Guiller Kumukulong Dugo Hector Ganti ng Api Elias 1992 Zhi Fa Wei Long Billy True Confessions (Evelyn, Myrna, & Margie) Lester Aguila at Guerrero: Droga Terminators Lt. Guerrero Dalawa Man ang Buhay Mo, Pagsasabayin Ko RobertBasagulero Berto Boy Recto Restituto "Boy Recto" 1993 Alejandro "Diablo" Malubay Alex Malubay Ikaw Lang Dalton Pambato Rudy Jesus Calderon, Maton Jesus Calderon 1994 Maglulupa Man Ako! Lando Batang Lansangan Rodrigo 1995 Matira ang Matibay Boyet Matinik Na Kalaban Sgt. Mateo TorresGen. Tapia, sa Nagbabagang Lupa Gen. Tapia Ultimate Revenge Angel on Fire Boyet Mano Mano* Huwag Mong Isuko ang Laban David Mensehas 1996 Madaling Mamatay, Mahirap Mabuhay* Alex Kahit sa Bala Kakapit Ako Efren 1997 Hawak Ko Buhay Mo* Alex Wala Ka ng Puwang sa Mundo* Miguel Ilaban Mo Bayan Ko: The Obet Pagdanganan Story Ka Vicky Boy Buluran* Boy Buluran Kamandag Ko ang Papatay Sa'yo Rodel 1998 Anting-Anting My Guardian Debil Nato May Sayad* Verano 1999 Desperado, Bahala Na ang Itaas Ang Boyfriend Kong Pari* Father Ed de Vera 2001 Mano Mano 2: Ubusan ng Lakas* Aldo 2003 Dayo* Utang ng Ama Director (Uncredited) 2004 Mano Mano 3: Arnis the Lost Art* 2005 Uno Niko 2006 Lagot Ka sa Kuya Ko* 2007 One Percent Full 2013 The Fighting Chefs* Master Chef 2019 Exit Point* Capt. Wilfredo Ocampo 2020 I, Will: The Doc Willie Ong Story*

Written and directed by Ricketts under the name Ronn Rick.

Television

1985 - Mother Studio Presents 1986 - Herederos 1987 - Lovingly Yours, Helen 1988 - Squad 13 1988 - Ang Tabi Kong Mamaw 1988 - Agila 1989 - Maricel Drama Special 1990 - Valiente 1991 - Maalaala Mo Kaya 1993 - GMA Telesine Specials 1995 - Mikee 1995 - Haybol Rambol 1997 - GMA True Stories 1998 - Calvento Files 1999 - !Oka Tokat 1999 - Kapag May Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo! 2000 - Pintados 2005 - Magpakailanman 2006 - Kamao 2007 - Asian Treasures 2008 - Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan 2008 - Codename: Asero 2010 - True Confessions 2013 - Tunay Na Buhay 2014 - Dream Dad 2015 - Sabado Badoo 2017 - Eat Bulaga - Jackpot N Poy 2017 - The Lola's Beautiful Show 2018 - It's Showtime - Magpasikat judge with wife Mariz Ricketts 2019 - Tonight with Arnold Clavio 2019 - Moments 2019 - Wowowin 2021 - Ang Probinsyano 2025 - Mga Batang Riles