Senators mourn death of OPM pioneer Rico J. Puno

Senators on Tuesday expressed their grief over the death of OPM legend Rico J. Puno who passed away on Tuesday dawn after suffering from heart-related illness.

“Kapalaran! Im emotionally disturbed. We started calling him the total entertainer even from his Spindle days. He not only sang well but was witty and all. Before his emergence in the local music industry in 1975-76, the elite in society did not care much about OPMs. Seldom would you find a local pop singer’s album in their homes,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said in a statement.

"Kapalaran" is one of Puno’s hits, aside from "May Bukas Pa", "Macho Gwapito" and "Magkasuyo Buong Gabi.”

“It was the songs and albums of Rico we produced and released that paved the way for the Filipino artist to be accepted in high society then. Rico will now be performing for a far greater audience. Goodbye, my friend,” Sotto, who also had a music career as singer-songwriter for VST and Company before being elected a senator in 1992, added.

Harana

For her part, Senator Grace Poe called Puno as a total entertainer, an icon, and a shining symbol of OPM.

The senator recalled an incident when her father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., tagged Puno along to serenade her mother, Susan Roces.

"Kilig na kilig kami sa kanyang mga awitin na nagbigay ng inspirasyon sa maraming henerasyon ng mga Pilipino. Classic na ang mga kanta niyang 'Alaala,' 'May Bukas Pa,' 'Lupa,' 'Together Forever' at 'Macho Gwapito,'” she said.

"Kakaiba ang boses ni Rico J. Kapag narinig mo ang tinig niya, alam mong siyang-siya. Maging ang bersyon niya ng mas bagong awitin gaya ng 'Ang Huling El Bimbo' ng Eraserheads, katangi-tangi," Poe added.

The lawmaker praised the late singer for being a good singer and host. "Ma-siste pa. Mahusay siyang host dahil napapatawa niya ang kanyang tagapanood," she said.

Puno, 65, went to the hospital on Sunday for a regular check up but was not allowed to leave until his death on Tuesday, October 30.

Puno has had a pacemaker since August as a result of a heart surgery also this year. — MDM, GMA News