Rico Blanco is a Filipino musician. He is also known all over South East Asia simply as Blanco. He is one of the most successful and influential Filipino music icons of this generation. He was one of the founders of Filipino rock band Rivermaya where he served as vocalist, guitarist, and chief songwriter from 1993 to 2007. Blanco has so far recorded, written and produced more local and regional number one hits (over 20 philippine number ones) than any other musician since 1994, and has sold over a million albums in the Philippines and Southeast Asia during that period.
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Career
Media often accords him the title of "the Genius", and "the Voice of the Youth".[1] As composer, Blanco has also arranged and co-written the United Nations MDG theme "Tayo Tayo Rin" as well as the Philippine Department of Tourism theme "Biyahe Tayo" both of which were performed by the top Filipino Pop and Alternative musicians such as Freddie Aguilar, Lea Salonga, and Sharon Cuneta. He has also co-written the theme song for the South East Asian Games, "Posible". Blanco is also known to be one of the most effective performers of his time not only in music but in stage and film as well. He starred alongside Noel Cabangon and Joey Ayala in the Music Museum and 70s Bistro production of Jesus Christ Superstar and also starred alongside Epy Quizon and Christopher de Leon in the indie film Nasaan si Francis. He is also the voice behind Ryusuke (Ray) Minami in the Philippine edition of BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad.[1] Blanco also directed several music videos, won an advertising congress award for his work as musical scorer/arranger for HIT Productions, and is one of the most influential Filipino youth ambassadors, extending help to cause oriented groups/projects and pushing for greater participation in nation-building, and social awareness. Blanco also dabbles in oil painting and photography. Blanco also had a stint as musical scorer at HIT Productions and received an award from the advertising industry for his work as an arranger right in his first year of eligibility. Blanco is also a record producer. Among the albums he produced are Slapshock's Project 11-41, Sugarfree's first album, The Dawn's Salamat millennium edition, and Teeth's (Teenage Tree) and Rivermaya's Free album which won him NU Rock award for Producer of the year. Blanco also used to host MYX Live. In May 2007, Blanco announced his departure from Rivermaya to pursue other things beyond music. He is currently busy as a fashion designer for Human and as a painter and photographer. [2] He also spends his time with philantropic work, one of his recent involvement is coming out of retirement to sing for the Sumilao farmers who walked 1,700km from Bukidnon to reach Department of Agrarian Reform in Metro Manila.
Personal life
Blanco is from San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines. He graduated grade school at OB Montessori, high school at the Benedictine Abbey (San Beda - Alabang) and finished his Management Economics degree at the Ateneo de Manila University at the early age of 19. Before he entered the music scene, he was an active youth leader and became the founding Sangguniang Kabataan chairman in his hometown. When he was younger, Rico was one of the main soloists in his parish's choir in Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna, often singing the most challenging soprano and bass parts because of his wide vocal range. He is a totally self taught musician and used to practice playing the piano more than five hours a day.[2]
Endorsements
A trendsetter, Blanco and his wide influence has always made him one of the most sought after endorsers. In 2003, he was the first solo musician tapped to be a Pepsi ambassador when the brand decided to enlist local endorsers. The success of this bold and unprecedented move started a trend in musicians becoming endorsers for major brands. Blanco currently endorses HUMAN, a clothing label. He is also a designer and debuted his t-shirt designs for Human just recently. He is also currently advertising Ginebra San Miguel gin as the music icon, together with billiard champion Efren Reyes and basketball superstar James Yap. Blanco in the past has also endorsed brands in telecom, fastfood, home entertainment, software, and mobile phones.
Discography (Composer/Lyricist)
- Singles
- "You'll Be Safe Here"
- "Liwanag Sa Dilim"
- "Alab Ng Puso"
- "Makaaasa Ka"
- "Posible"
- "Half Wishing" (for Mojofly/Kitchie Nadal)
- Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo
- "Isang Bandila"
- for WOW Philippines
- "Byahe Tayo" (with Mike Villegas of Rizal Underground)
- United Nations MDG theme
- "Tayo Tayo Rin"
- Between the Stars and the Waves
- "Sunday Driving"
- "A Love To Share"
- "241 (My Favorite Song)"
- "Balisong"
- Tuloy ang Ligaya
- "Gising Na"
- "Imposible"
- "Basketbol"
- "Kagat Ng Lamok"
- "Umaaraw, Umuulan"
- "Bochog"
- "Age Doesn't Matter Anymore"
- "Ipo-Ipo"
- "Wag Na Init Ulo, Baby"
- Free
- "Faithless"
- "Serious Offender"
- "Stranded"
- "Imbecilesque"
- "Ambulansya"
- "It's Strange But It's True"
- "Tulog"
- "Steady"
- It's Not Easy Being Green
- "Grounded Ang Girlfriend Ko"
- "Rodeo"
- "Shattered Like"
- "A Little Sorry Should Make Everything Alright"
- "Bagong Taon"
- "It's Getting Late"
- "Nerbyoso"
- "Never Been Better"
- Atomic Bomb
- "Mabuhay"
- "Elesi"
- "Sunny Days"
- "I Shot The Walrus"
- "Wild Angel Candy"
- "Hinahanap-Hanap Kita"
- "Ballroom Dancing"
- "Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo"
- Trip
- "Princess of Disguise"
- "Hilo"
- "Monopoly"
- "Himala"
- "Flowers"
- "Sunog"
- "Is It Sunny Where You Are?"
- "Kundiman"
- "Kisapmata"
- "Lost"
- "Out of Reach"
- "Panahon Na Naman"
- Rivermaya
- "Revolution"
- "Bring Me Down"
- "Ground"
- "20 Million"
- "Ulan"
- "Halik Sa Araw"
- "Gravity"
- "214"
- "Hate"
- "Awit Ng Kabataan"
