Melissa Ricks

Background

Melissa Marie Ricks was born on January 9, 1990 to Kelly Ricks and Josie Ricks in Fontana, California. Her father is the president and director of S&R Membership Shopping Philippines.

In 2013, Ricks and her former schoolmate Charles Togezaki welcomed their first child Kiera. Mikaela (born January 14, 2023) is her child with her non-showbiz husband, Michael Macatangay.

Career

In 2004, Ricks joined the reality talent search of ABS-CBN, Star Circle Quest. She was one of the top 10 Questors or Magic Circle of 10, and after few weeks of training, made it to the final 5 or Magic Circle of 5. In the Grand Questor's Night, she was declared as the 4th runner up.

After the contest, Ricks guested in some TV shows of ABS-CBN particularly in the youth oriented drama SCQ Reload and variety show ASAP Fanatic.

Ricks received one of her biggest breaks when she portrayed Hiyas, the apple of Pedro Penduko's eyes in the Fantaserye Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko and when she starred in the primetime drama series Iisa Pa Lamang led by Claudine Barretto.

Ricks starred in Kambal sa Uma, an afternoon drama series on ABS-CBN with Shaina Magdayao, Rio Locsin, Matt Evans and Jason Abalos. She came back abruptly to Primetime on the hit series Tanging Yaman in 2010 alongside Erich Gonzales.

Ricks was a member of ABS CBN's Star Magic.

During the 2011-2012 season, Ricks portrayed Elisa Altamira in Nasaan Ka, Elisa?, the Philippine adaptation of the Chilean 2009 drama ¿Dónde está Elisa? (later remade in United States in 2010). She then played her biggest break in the role of Johanna Montenegro in the multi-acclaimed phenomenal primetime drama series, Walang Hanggan.

In August 2024, Ricks revealed her fitness journey resulted in 31 pounds weight loss in just 8 weeks.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (July 3, 2019). "Melissa Ricks, daughter Kiera have fun in the snow in Colorado". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
2. (January 17, 2023). "Melissa Ricks gives birth to second child". [[Rappler]].
3. (August 2, 2024). "Melissa Ricks wows fans with weight loss progress". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
4. (January 30, 2009). "'Princess Sarah' Cast Members". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
5. (December 6, 2005). "Lorna, Baron, Juday, John Lloyd, Rufa Mae at Kimpee: wagi sa Star Awards for TV". Abante Tonite.
6. (March 26, 2009). "Rio Locsin Thrilled Over ABS-CBN's Adaptation of 'Kambal sa Uma'". ABS-CBN News.
7. (September 12, 2011). "Mystery Behind 'Nasaan Ka Elisa?' Finally Revealed". The Philippine Star.
8. Quintos, Napoleon. (February 13, 2009). "Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks Star in the TV Version of Underage". [[ABS-CBN Corporation]].
9. (December 4, 2007). "Katrina Halili: Shake, Rattle & Roll 9 a Breather from Marimar". GMA News.
10. "School ID". [[Maalaala Mo Kaya]].
11. "Pagkain (Big Love)". [[Maalaala Mo Kaya]].
12. Dimaculangan, Jocelyn. (September 18, 2007). "Melissa Ricks Backs off from Kissing Scenes with Matt Evans in 'Love Spell'". Philippine Entertainment Portal.