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Ronnie Ricketts in first Fil-Am movie in years…teams up with Burton Richardson
By Isah V. RedHis dream is coming true, and that is to be able to produce and star in movies that will not only be seen by Filipinos but also by movie fans across the globe.
Ronnie Ricketts is starring in a movie produced by an American for the Filipinos and audiences around the world.
Bruce Lee’s third man in his martial arts lineage is in Manila to promote his upcoming movie entitled One Percent Full. Burton Richardson has finally completed his latest project co-starring with an equally acclaimed martial artist, well-known action star, director and movie producer in the Philippines, Ronnie Ricketts.
Burton, to many of the martial arts enthusiasts all over the world, is considered as one of the leading mixed martial arts coaches. A blackbelt holder in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and Arnis, Master Burton has trained and worked with a lot of Hollywood stars and top martial artists like Steven Seagal, Keanu Reeves, Brandon Lee, Randy Couture, Dan Inosanto and a lot more.
He has always been on the go and keeps on traveling around the world teaching martial arts and also acquiring lots of training and knowledge to perfect his craft. Because of his exposure to Hollywood, acting, writing and directing, he has also learned to appreciate and further develop his passion for movie making.
Being a true-blue martial arts expert, he had a strong desire to know more about the art of Arnis, which originated in the Philippines. His first trip to Manila was in 1979. Back then, he trained with the senior masters of Arnis. He was not only satisfied with the knowledge that he acquired but was also well-pleased and amazed with the people and the country. That was the start of him, embracing its culture and making the Philippines his second home.
Eversince, he makes it a point to go back to Manila every now and then. It was during one of his trips in 1999 that he had another training with the head instructor of Bakbakan International which is known for their exceptional techniques in street fighting and one of the top mentors of Arnis in the Philippines, Master Christopher Ricketts who happens to be action star Ronnie Ricketts’ brother.
Ronnie was invited to one of Burton’s trainings and being a big fan of Bruce Lee and knowing that Burton Richardson has a significant connection to Bruce Lee when it comes to his origin in martial arts, he was very willing to go. Ronnie was pleased to meet Burton in person. Ronnie was surprised to hear that Burton had seen some of his movies. It was through his research while looking in the Internet for the whereabouts of Master Christopher Ricketts. He found out that he has a brother who is an action star in the Philippines.
Right away, they clicked with each other. They exchanged lots of ideas: from martial arts to movies and even having the same stand when it comes to vices… Burton and Ronnie are both for clean and healthy living.
In 2004, Ronnie and his family went to the States for a vacation. At that time, Ronnie learned that Burton was also in the US doing a movie in Los Angeles, California. They called and hooked up with each other. Burton invited him to come over and showed him around LA where he was filming an action movie. Ronnie was very honored and grateful to Burton for that experience. While having a break, Burton asked Ronnie if he would be interested to do a movie with him. To Ronnie’s mind, it was just one of those offers to him that were all uncertain but he, of course, said yes to him.
Almost two years have passed and Burton again had a brief visit to Manila in August 2006 but this time, he was not here for training but wanted to have a serious talk with Ronnie. Burton handed a script to Ronnie and to his surprise, it was the movie that Burton was offering to him during their short encounter years ago in LA.
Ronnie loved the script and they started planning for the project. They first did the location hunting and casting while Burton was still in Manila and continued doing the brainstorming, budgeting and other concerns through e-mails and telephone calls. Burton was back here in November of the same year to finalize everything and three weeks after, cameras started to grind. The movie was shot in Hawaii, where Burton is based, and here in Manila.
Direk Burton, as people on the set addressed him, without a doubt, enjoyed this experience and will cherish a lot of good memories while doing One Percent Full in Manila. One of them is Andrea del Rosario. Direk Burton was absolutely charmed by this beautiful actress on and off screen who was chosen as his leading lady for this project. He promised to be back again and do more films under Fat Free Entertainment, collaborate more with Ronnie and his Rocketts Productions. He knows very well that Ronnie’s heart, vision and direction is always for the movies especially action movies. They would want to help and work with other actors.
Burton was tremendously impressed with Ronnie’s ideas, genuine attitude and commitment towards work. No wonder they have completed the movie with no interruptions and accomplished it as planned.
As he also mentioned, with Ronnie’s talent, dedication and expertise in martial arts, who knows, his next destination is—Hollywood!
Watch out for their first team-up in this very heart-warming and of course, action-packed movie entitled One Percent Full.
There will be a red carpet premiere on Oct. 7, 7 p.m. at SM North Edsa, Cinema 6.
Showing nationwide begins on Oct. 10.