# Melissa Ricks

Melissa Marie Ricks-Macatangay (born January 9, 1990) is a Filipino actress. She was a runner-up in the reality talent search Star Circle Quest on ABS-CBN.

## 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

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 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 |
| 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 | Won | |