Melissa Marie Ricks-Macatangay (born January 8, 1990) is a Filipino actress. She was a runner-up in the reality talent search Star Circle Quest on ABS-CBN. She is best known for playing Hiyas the lambana Princess in the series Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko
Background Melissa Marie Ricks was born on January 8, 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 Year Title Role Notes Source 2004 Volta Herself Cameo 2007 Shake, Rattle and Roll 9 Dang Segment: "Engkanto" 2009 Love on Line (LOL) Lieizzy 2010 Paano na Kaya Anna 2014 Ligaw Criselle
Television Year Title Role Notes Source 2004 Star Circle Quest Herself Finalist (Top 5) 2004–2005 SCQ Reload Melissa Gordon 2004–2006 ASAP Fanatic Herself/host 2005 Maalaala Mo Kaya Tricia Episode: "Kwintas" 2005–2013 ASAP Herself/host 2006 Your Song Presents: Akin Ka Na Lang 2006 Komiks Presents: Starboy Shasta 2006 Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko Reyna Hiyas 2007 Your Song Presents: Pangarap Lang Sybil 2007 Komiks Presents: Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao Hiyas 2007 Rounin Raysian 2007 Love Spell Presents: Hairy Harry Sally 2007 Princess Sarah Mariette 2007 Maalaala Mo Kaya Trisha Episode: "Balikbayan Box" 2008 Kelly! Kelly! (Ang Hit na Musical) Sasa TV movie 2008 Your Song Presents: Sayang Na Sayang Bettina 2008 Maalaala Mo Kaya Monique Episode: "Card" 2008 Iisa Pa Lamang Sophia Castillejos 2009 Your Song Presents: Underage Celina Serrano 2009 Midnight DJ Linette Episode: "Kasal ng Tikbalang" 2009 Jim Fernandez's Kambal Sa Uma Ella Perea / Venus dela Riva 2009 Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat Ni Ramon Revilla Presents: Pepeng Agimat Lora Hizon 2010 Tanging Yaman Isabel Jacinto 2010 Maalaala Mo Kaya Len Episode: "Basura" 2010 Your Song Presents: Love Me, Love You Ivy 2010–2011 Banana Split Various roles Guest 2010 Noah Naomi Mondragon 2010 Lactacyd Confidance Herself/host 2010 Wansapanataym Valentina Veneracion Episode: "Zoila's Valentina" 2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya May Episode: "School ID" 2011 Happy Yipee Yehey Herself / Guest 2011 Nasaan Ka, Elisa? Elisa Altamira Main Cast / Protagonist 2012 Walang Hanggan Patricia "Johanna Montenegro" Bonifacio Main Cast / Anti-Hero 2013 Wansapanataym Diwata Episode: "Flores De Yayo" 2013 Honesto Leah Layer Supporting Cast / Protagonist 2014 Ipaglaban Mo! Nina Episode: "Ang Pangako Mo Sa Akin" 2015 Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Herself Briefcase #19 2015 Maalaala Mo Kaya Mai Episode: "Pagkain" 2020 24/7 Belinda "Bella" Samonte Main Cast / Anti-Hero
Awards and nominations Year Work Award Category Result Source 2005 SCQ Reload PMPC Star Awards for Television Best New Female TV Personality
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