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Career
Aside from being the chief songwriter of Rivermaya, Blanco has also arranged and written the music for 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 veteran Filipino musicians, such as Freddie Aguilar, the Apo Hiking Society, Lea Salonga, and Sharon Cuneta. He has also co-written the theme song for the South East 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.
Blanco 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.
In May 2007, Blanco announced his departure from Rivermaya. His last gig with Rivermaya was on May 4, 2007 at the Metro Bar with Pupil and Sandwich opening the show. Pupil is fronted by Ely Buendia (formerly of Eraserheads) and Sandwich fronted by Raimund Marasigan (also formerly of Eraserheads) Incidentally, Rico’s first gig as singer for Rivermaya was also held there. The first ever Rivermaya gig (Blanco was keyboardist) was in Las Pinas in 1993 where the band was the opening act for Eraserheads.
In 2007, he launched a clothing line for Philippine clothing brand Human.[2] He also spends his time with philantropic 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 a electronic dance music song 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.
Personal life
Hailing from Pacita, San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, Rico Blanco was an active youth leader and became the founding Sangguniang Kabataan chairman in his hometown.
He graduated grade school at O. B. Montessori Center, 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.
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.
Endorsements
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.
Discography
Your Universe
Track listing
-Say Forever (04:10)
-Your Universe (03:58)
-Yugto (05:26)
-Ayuz (05:01)
-Helpless (03:10)
-Start Again (04:15)
-Outta This (05:45)
-Para Hindi Ka Mawala (03:21)
-Antukin (04:48)
-Metropolis (04:52)
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