Rico Blanco (born March 17, 1973) is a Filipino singer, songwriter and musician. As a solo artist and with his former band, Rivermaya, Blanco has so far recorded, written and produced more local and regional number one hits than any other musician since 1994; and had sold over a million albums in the Philippines and Southeast Asia during that period.
Rico was one of the founding members of Filipino rock band Rivermaya, in varying roles as vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist, and main songwriter from 1993 to 2007.
Aside from his songwriter credits in his solo album and in Rivermaya, Blanco also arranged and wrote music for various side projects such as the United Nations MDG theme "Tayo Tayo Rin"; the Philippine Department of Tourism theme "Biyahe Tayo" (both of which were performed by veteran Filipino musicians, such as Freddie Aguilar, the Apo Hiking Society, Lea Salonga, and Sharon Cuneta). He also co-wrote a theme song for the Southeast Asian Games, "Posible".
Rico Blanco is also a stage and film actor. 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 independent film Nasaan si Francis. He is also the voice behind Ryusuke (Ray) Minami in the Philippine edition of BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad. He also directed several music videos, won an award for his work as musical scorer/arranger for HIT Productions. Blanco also dabbles in oil painting and photography.
Among the albums Blanco produced are Slapshock's Project 11-41, Sugarfree's Sa Wakas, The Dawn's Salamat millennium edition single, and Teeth's I Was a 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, Blanco also composed scores for many commercials & other varoius corporate functions around the Philippines.
In May 2007, Blanco announced his departure from Rivermaya. His last performance with Rivermaya was on May 4, 2007 at the Metro Bar (in which two other high profile Filipino bands opened the show, Pupil and Sandwich; two spin-off bands of the legendary pop-rock group Eraserheads). It was coincidental that Rico’s first gig as singer for Rivermaya was also held at the Metro Bar (formerly known as Kampo). Furthermore, first ever Rivermaya gig (in which Blanco was keyboardist) was in Las Pinas City in 1993 where the band was the opening act for Eraserheads.
In 2007, he launched a clothing line for Philippine clothing brand Human. He also spends his time with philanthropic work. In late 2007 he came out of retirement to sing for the Sumilao farmers who walked 1,700km from Bukidnon to reach Department of Agrarian Reform in Metro Manila. Blanco also wrote and produced an electronic dance music song titled "Control" for the album of Nancy Castiglione.
In June 12, 2008 Warner Music Philippines, launched Rico's first single “Yugto” which marked his personal comeback and entry in the Filipino music industry as a solo artist. His first album titled "Your Universe" was released on August 8, 2008. Currently, Rico's live band is usually composed of Robert Dela Cruz (of Queso and Skychurch) on drums and Ricci Gurango (formerly of Mojofly and Hungry Young Poets) on bass, while Rico plays guitars and keyboards. Many other session musicians join him on stage from time to time.
In November 2008, just a few months after starting his career as a solo artist, Rico won the Vocalist of the Year award in the NU Rock Awards.
In December 2008, he was heralded RX93.1 OPM Solo Artist of the Year for 2008. He also opened for Myx Mo 2008 and performed "Yugto." Aside from his band, The Mandaluyong Children's Choir, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Kulintangan musicians (headed by Malou Matute), and various Percussionists (headed by Iggy de Dios), all performed with him. The opening set was touted to be the biggest in the event's history.
In February 2009, he won as "Best New Artist" in the recently concluded Myx Music Awards 2009.
Hailing from Pacita, San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, Rico Blanco was an active youth leader and became the founding Sangguniang Kabataan chairman in his hometown. His mother is Purita Granados-Blanco and his father is Rene Aldeguer Blanco. He has 3 siblings Heart Blanco-Elizon, Rey "King" Blanco and Patrice Blanco.
He graduated grade school at O. B. Montessori Center, high school at the Benedictine Abbey (San Beda College Alabang) and finished his Management Economics degree at the Ateneo de Manila University at the early age of 19.
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.
At a young age, Rico listened heavily to his uncle's records which included the Beatles, jazz and 1970s rock. He moved on to appreciate late 1970s to 1980s punk rock, post punk, synth pop and new wave artists (mostly from the U.K.) such as XTC, The Cure, The Smiths, U2, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, OMD, Tears for Fears, Ultravox, New Order, Madness, Terry Hall, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Midnight Oil, among others. He also listened to Filipino artists such as Deans December, Violent Playground, Identity Crisis, Urban Bandits, Joey Ayala, among others. The music he listened to growing up is largely credited for his musical style up to the present.
A trendsetter, Rico Blanco and his wide influence has always made him one of the most sought after endorsers. He has already endorsed brands in telecom, fastfood, home entertainment, software, and mobile phones.
In 2003, Blanco 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, debuting his own t-shirt designs just recently. He has advertised for Ginebra San Miguel gin as the music icon, together with billiard champion Efren Reyes and basketball superstar James Yap.
