RICO J. PUNO, one of the prime movers of Original Pilipino Music for two decades beginning in the 1970s, is dead. This was confirmed by concert producer and the singer’s manager Anna Puno, who said in an Instagram post that the singer-TV host-comedian turned politician passed in the early morning of Tuesday, October 30.
In the post, Anna Puno writes: “I am seized with deep emotional shock when I found out that our OPM King—Kuya Rico J. Puno has passed away this morning (manila time). Numbed with grief, I would like to call on all entertainers in the OPM Industry as well as his worldwide fans to stop for a moment and say a prayer to one of the most respected singers in the country. I cannot help but say it was serendipitous that Starmedia prepared a solo 40th Anniversary concert for him and a U.S. tour with the OPM stalwarts and colleagues just recently. Little did I know that this is his Final Bow in the live entertainment world. We will forever miss the TOTAL ENTERTAINER…but his songs will forever cherish in our hearts.”
No details of the cause of death were provided, but in April 2015 the singer underwent a seven-hour heart surgery. According to news reports, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay revealed that in September the legendary singer was rushed on four occasions to an emergency room due to heart problems.
Rico J. Puno first achieved fame as a singer by incorporating Tagalog lyrics to his renditions of American pop hits, most notably the Barbra Streisand classic “The Way We Were”. His other hits include “Kapalaran”, “Damdamin”, “Buhat”, “May Bukas Pa” and arguably his signature song “Macho Gwapito.”
In concerts, he also delighted fans with his brand of tongue-in-cheek and occasionally risque humor. In his recent years, he had focused on his parallel career as a comedian, appearing in such TV comedies as Show Me Da Manny and Home Sweetie Home. He was also in the cast of the long-running primetime drama FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
Dubbed as “The Total Entertainer,” Puno ventured into politics in 1998, winning a seat in the Makati City Council from the first district – a post he occupied for three consecutive terms. He made an unsuccessful bid for the city’s vice mayoralty in 2010.
Details of Rico J. Puno’s interment have yet to be announced.