Rico Blanco

Rico Rene Granados Blanco (born March 17, 1973) is a Filipino singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist,
record producer, actor, endorser and entrepreneur. He was one of the founding members, chief
songwriter and served as the lead vocalist of the Filipino rock band Rivermaya from 1994 until 2007.

Early life[edit]
Rico Blanco was born at Manila Doctors Hospital in Ermita, Manila on March 17, 1973 to Rene Aldeguer
Blanco of Iloilo City and Purita Crisostomo Granados of Leyte, Leyte.[1]

Career[edit]
Rico was one of the founding members of the Filipino rock band Rivermaya, in varying roles as vocalist,
keyboardist, guitarist, and main songwriter from 1994 to 2007.
Aside from his songwriter credits in his solo album and in Rivermaya, Blanco also arranged and wrote
music for various side projects such as the United Nations MDG theme "Tayo Tayo Rin", The Philippine
Department of Tourism theme "Biyahe Tayo", both of which were performed by veteran Filipino musicians,
such as Freddie Aguilar, the APO Hiking Society, Lea Salonga, and Sharon Cuneta. He also cowrote "Posible", which has been used as a theme song for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
Rico Blanco is also a stage, film, and television actor. He starred in ABS-CBN's Imortal alongside John
Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin, and May Isang Pangarap alongside Carmina Villaroel and Vina Morales. He
also starred alongside Noel Cabangon and Joey Ayala in the Music Museum and 1970s Bistro production
of Jesus Christ Superstar and also starred alongside Epy Quizon and Christopher de Leon in the
independent film Nasaan si Francis?. He also directed several music videos, won an award for his work
as advertising musical arranger. Blanco also dabbles in painting and photography.

Solo artist[edit]
On June 12, 2008 Warner Music Philippines, launched Rico Blanco's first single Yugto which marked his
entry in the Filipino music industry as a solo artist. Critics and music fans immediately hail it as a "neoepic". The song won a host of awards, among them 4 major Awit awards including Song of the Year. His
first album titled Your Universe was released on August 8, 2008. The 10-track CD is a unique fusion of
diverse sounds, among them the ethno-rock "Yugto", the heart-tugging title track "Your Universe", the
rockabilly/punk feel of "Ayuz", the sweet, Pinoy-folk "Para Hindi Ka Mawala", and the sing-along
anthem "Antukin". Also notable is his return to his roots as a keyboard player as evidenced by the infusion

of synthesizer and electronic elements throughout the album. Incidentally, Warner Music Philippines are
known for disbanding bands and turning their respective lead vocalists into solo artists.
When super typhoons ravaged the Philippines in September 2009, Rico responded quickly by writing and
recording and releasing "Bangon", to raise awareness and ultimately, funds to help the victims of the
typhoons. Rico gave away the song as a free download to give hope to the victims, salute the heroes and
inspire people to continue helping. Blanco also said that he is waiving all royalties due to him for the
mobile downloads of the song, which he will instead give to affected families.
In December 2009, Blanco launched his new music video for the single "Ayuz", it features his dance
tribute to Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, with Cristine Reyes as special guest.
In May 2010, Blanco was announced to be on the cast of ABS-CBN's supernatural-political thriller TV
series Imortal which stars John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin, Blanco also sang the song "Kahit Walang
Sabihin" for the said TV series. This was followed by the launch of Rico Blanco's very own company,
Balcony Entertainment, in cooperation with Warner Music Philippines.
Blanco released a new single, Amats, available for digital download via iTunes. The single was taken from
his second studio album Galactik Fiestamatik released on July 10, 2012.[5]
On November 27, 2015, Blanco released his 3rd full length album Dating Gawi.
On January 9, 2016, he re-united with his former Rivermaya co-members, Perf de Castro, Nathan
Azarcon and Mark Escueta for a "secret mini semi-reunion", following de Castro's gig at 19 East, Taguig
City.[6]

Musical influences[edit]
At a young age, Rico listened heavily to his uncle's records which included The Beatles, jazz and 1970s
rock. He moved on to appreciate late 1970s to 1980s punk rock, post punk, synth pop and new wave
artists (mostly from the U.K.) such as XTC, The Cure, The Smiths, U2, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Sex
Pistols, The Clash, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, OMD, Tears for Fears, Ultravox, New
Order, Madness, Terry Hall, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Midnight Oil (Aus), among others. He also listened
to Filipino artists such as Deans December, Violent Playground, Identity Crisis, Urban Bandits, Joey
Ayala, among others. The music he listened to while growing up is largely credited for his musical style. [7]

Filmography[edit]
Television[edit]
Year

Title

Role

Network

2004

Myx Live

Host

ABS-CBN

20102011

Imortal

Lucas Teodoro

ABS-CBN

2013

Kanta Pilipinas

Host/Judge

TV5

2013

May Isang Pangarap

Joseph 'Otep' Santos

ABS-CBN

2016present

ASAP

Himself / Performer

ABS-CBN

Year

Title

Role

Network

Movies[edit]
Year

Title

Role

Production

2006

Nasaan si Francis?

Sonny

Unico Entertainment, Crazy Angle Productions

2011

Segunda Mano

Owen

Star Cinema, Agosto Dos Pictures, MJM Productions

2015

Liwanag sa Dilim

Music Video Director[edit]

Year

Title

2015

Sabay

Artist/Band

Never the Strangers

Discography (as solo artist)[edit]

Albums[edit]
Year

2008

Album Title

Your Universe

Certifications

Label

5x Platinum
Warner Music Philippines

2012

Galactik Fiestamatik

2015

Dating Gawi

Universal Records

Singles[edit]
Year

Single

Album

2008

Yugto

Your Universe

2008

Your Universe

Your Universe

2009

Antukin

Your Universe

2009

Ayuz

Your Universe

2010

Bangon

Your Universe:Deluxe + Kahit Walang Sabihin (2-disc set)

2010

Neon Lights

Your Universe:Deluxe + Kahit Walang Sabihin (2-disc set)

2011

Kahit Walang Sabihin

Your Universe:Deluxe + Kahit Walang Sabihin (2-disc set)

2012

Amats

Galactik Fiestamatik

2012

Burado

Galactik Fiestamatik

2013

Lipat Bahay

Galactik Fiestamatik

2015

Videoke Queen

Dating Gawi

2016

Wag Mong Aminin

Dating Gawi

Awards[edit]

NU Rock Awards

Best Duo Artist

Won

Album of the Year ("Your Universe")

Won

Song of the Year ("Antukin")

Won

RX93.1 FM

OPM Male Artist of the Year

Won

Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist ("Yugto")

Won

Song of the Year ("Yugto")

Won

Best Musical Arrangement ("Yugto")

Won

Best Engineered Recording (Angee Rozul - "Yugto")

Won

Awit Awards