Rico J Puno

Biography

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.

Music 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 (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 1st Christmas Album, The Spirit of Christmas which was originally sung by Karen Carpenter.

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. 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 (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.

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.

He also covered the song Ang Huling El-Bimbo in 2005 and originally composed by Ely Buendia, who was originally from the Eraserheads.

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 is also a singer and a band member.

Hit songs

Puno’s hit songs included Kapalaran (Fate), Buhat (Ever Since), Macho Gwapito (Gorgeous Young Man), Lupa (Soil), 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 Sony BMG Records. Its carrier single was Kay Hirap Mong Limutin (It Is Hard 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.

Television

Movies

Albums

Compilation Albums

Live Albums

Christmas Albums

Collaborations of Rico J. Puno

Singles

Soundtracks

Politics and other ventures

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.

Puno returned as TV host for "Macho Guwapito" on the now-defunct Makisig Network. He was one of the judges in the inaugural week of the reality talent show Showtime on ABS-CBN.

Puno is also the owner of the karaoke bar, Coriks, at Vito Cruz Extension, Manila. He also manages a trucking business.

He won a seat in the Makati City Council from the first district from 1998. Among Puno's notable ordinances filed during his first term was the installation of a surveillance camera in every convenience store in Makati that operates 24 hours a day, as protection against robbers who prey on convenience stores. He left the city council after his third and final consecutive term ended in 2007. His seat in the city council was kept by his eldest daughter, Tosca Camille. Three years later, he teamed up with Jun-Jun Binay to run for city vice mayor in Makati City. Although Binay won the mayoralty race, Puno lost to Barangay Valenzuela captain Romulo Pena, Jr., who was the running mate of then-outgoing vice mayor Ernesto Mercado.