Rico J. Puno

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rico J. Puno


Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Enrico de Jesus Puno
Born = birth date and age |1953|2|13
Origin = Manila, Philippines
Genre = Pop

Enrico de Jesus Puno (born on February 13, 1953), better known as Rico J. Puno, is a popular Filipino pop singing artist who is credited as a pioneer-promoter of original Filipino music. He started the trend of incorporating Tagalog lyrics in his rendition of the American song "The Way We Were" and other foreign songs. Also known as "Rico J." and as "The Total Entertainer", Puno is a singer who regularly infused his on-stage performance with comedy and jokes. [http://www.carouselpinoy.com/ricojcaroustar.html Rico J. Puno, Caroustar of the Month, Carousel Pinoy Entertainment, CarouselPinoy.com, December 2004] , retrieved on: July 17, 2007]

Personal

Puno was born in Manila to parents, Felipe Puno Sr. and Corazon J. Puno. Although he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Philippine School of Business Administration, Puno dreamed of becoming a singer.

inging career

Puno introduced himself and his talent to the entertainment business by performing at folk houses and small clubs in Metro Manila. In 1975, while singing at the "Palazzi", Puno met and performed with the American Motown group, "The Temptations". Puno’s talent was later noticed by the executive producers from Vicor Records. His first record was "Love Won't Let Me Wait", while his first big hit was the Tagalog-infused "The Way We Were".

In 1976, Puno won the Aliw Award for "Most Promising Entertainer". Two years later, he became Aliw's "Entertainer of the Year". His "Rico in Concert" show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines launched him as one of the foremost Philippine pop stars. In 1978, Puno’s popularity and his regular concerts at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and his performance tours in the United States broke records in terms of audience attendance. His fame also made him into a sought-after product endorser including advertisements for San Miguel Beer Corporation in the 1970s.

In 1979, Puno represented the Philippines at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1979, with "Lupa" (Dirt), a song that imparted messages on how an individual could strive to change for the better, on how to gain humility and other human values, on how not to judge others, and on how to struggle against one’s own weaknesses.

Hit songs

Puno’s hit songs included "Kapalaran" (Fate), "Buhat" (Ever Since), "Macho Guwapito" (Good-looking Young Gigolo), "Lupa" (Dirt), "Damdamin" (Feelings), "May Bukas Pa" (There's Still Tomorrow), "Ang Tao'y Marupok" (People are Weak), "Magkasuyo Buong Gabi" (Together Through the Night) - a duet with Elsa Chan - and his Filipino rendition of "You Don't Have to Be a Star (to Be in My Show)".

One of Puno’s recent album is "Aliw" by BMG Records. Its carrier single was "Kay Hirap Mong Limutin" (It is Difficult to Forget You) by Lito Camo.

Popularity

Among his contemporaries in the original Filipino music industry, Puno is one of the still consistently-active performers since he launched his career in 1975. The duration of his career as a Philippine singer now spans three decades. He became a favorite of the Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation (PAGCOR) and other casinos around Metro Manila and the provinces. His performances included tours in the United States, Canada, Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and European countries. [http://www.philippinefiesta.com/rico.html Rico J. Puno, The Total Entertainer, PhilippineFiesta.com, 2002-2003] , retrieved on: July 17, 2007]

The Big Five concerts

From 2001, the "Greatest Hits" series in Manila, produced by Viva Concerts helped maintain Puno’s popularity. These "Greatest Hits" concerts brought him together with other "Greatest Hitmakers" in the Philippine music scene during the 1980s, namely Philippine pop icons: Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga and Marco Sison.

Beyond showbusiness boundaries

From 1986 to 1987, Puno had a noontime variety show, "Lunch Date" over GMA-7. In 1994-1995 he headlined "Chibugan Na" (It's Eating Time), aired on weekdays at 12 noon on RPN 9, with Hajji Alejandro. [http://www.geocities.com/aileenbtadeo/rico_main.htm Rico J. Puno, Discography, Song Lyrics and Trivia, Geocities.com (undated)] , retrieved on: July 17, 2007]

Puno is also the owner of the karaoke bar, "Corix", at Vito Cruz Extension, Manila. He also manages a trucking business. In 1998, he became a Makati City councilor.

Passing the torch

During Puno’s recent performances, he is often joined on stage by his oldest daughter, Tosca.

Collaborations of Rico J. Puno

*Ultraelectromagneticjam (Sony BMG Music Philippines, 2005)
*Pinoy Sound Trip Vol. 1 (Vicor Music Corp., 2008)
*Pinoy Sound Trip Vol. 2 (Vicor Music Corp., 2008)

References

ee also

*Kuh Ledesma
*Michael Dadap
*Danny Barcelona
*Gabe Baltazar
*Ariel Rivera
*Freddie Aguilar