Rico J. Puno

Enrico de Jesus Puno (February 13, 1953 – October 30, 2018), better known as Rico J. Puno, was a Filipino singer, television host, actor, comedian and politician.

He was considered as a music icon in the Philippines.

He started the trend of incorporating Tagalog lyrics in his rendition of the American song "The Way We Were" and other foreign songs.

Puno was known as a singer who regularly infused his on-stage performance with tongue-in-cheek comedy and adult humor.

His fame also made him into a sought-after product endorser including advertisements for San Miguel Beer in the 1970s.

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 (now Vicor Music).

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 1977, Puno covered the Carpenters song "Merry Christmas Darling" from his first Christmas album, The Spirit of Christmas which was originally sung by Karen Carpenter.

His first movie was Bawal Na Pag-ibig in 1977.

In 1978, Puno's popularity and his regular concerts at the Araneta Coliseum (now SMART Araneta Coliseum) in Quezon City and his performance tours in the United States broke records in terms of audience attendance.

In 1979, Puno represented the Philippines at the Tokyo Music Festival, with "Lupa" (Ground), 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.

These Greatest Hits concerts brought him together with other hitmakers in the Philippine music scene during the 1980s, namely Philippine pop icons: Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga and Marco Sison.

He also covered the song "Ang Huling El Bimbo" in 1994 which was originally a major hit for the Eraserheads.

In 1998, he was elected as the city councilor of Makati from its 1st district until his third and last term ended in 2007.

From 2001, the Greatest Hits series in Manila, produced by Viva Concerts helped maintain Puno's popularity.

His first and only action thriller movie was Alas Dose (2001), where he plays as a bad congressman who bombs a preschool learning center.

Owing to his rising popularity, various TV networks and movie producers soon came knocking on his door for more acting/hosting opportunities.

He hosted the ABS-CBN noontime variety shows Pilipinas Win na Win (alongside Rey Valera, Marco Sison, and Nonoy Zuñiga for two months in 2010) and Happy Yipee Yehey!.

Puno was also active in politics.

He ran for a comeback in 2010 as the vice mayoralty candidate of Makati, but was unsuccessful.

He also covered the song "Mabuti Pa Sila" in 2010 and originally composed and recorded by Gary Granada.

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

Rico's son, Rox is also a singer and a band member.

In 2016, Puno was elected as a councilor in Makati, under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), until his death.

Puno was born in Manila to Felipe Puno Sr. and Corazon J. Puno.

He attended Victorino Mapa High School.

Although he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Philippine School of Business Administration, Puno dreamed of becoming a singer.

Puno introduced himself and his talent to the entertainment business by performing at folk houses and small clubs in Metro Manila.

He was honored and awarded recently in ASAP Pinoy on the variety program ASAP, contributing his best in singing performing as a total entertainer who celebrated his 40th anniversary in music and entertainment movie and TV career in 2017.

Puno's hit songs included "Kapalaran" (Fate), "Buhat" (Ever Since), "Macho Gwapito" (Gorgeous Young Man), "Lupa" (Soil or Ground), "Damdamin" (Feelings), "May Bukas Pa" (There's Still Tomorrow), "Ang Tao'y Marupok" (People Are Fragile), "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 albums, is Aliw by Sony BMG Records.

His carrier single was "Kay Hirap Mong Limutin" (It Is Hard To Forget You) by Lito Camo.

The duration of Puno's career spanned more than four decades.

He was 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.

Aside from singing, Rico also ventured into acting as a comedian.