Rico Blanco: The Man Behind the Soundtrack of Your Life

Rico Blanco

THE MAN BEHIND THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE

BY NIKA ROQUE

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

EXT. MAKATI CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT – NIGHT.

It’s a long day after work. You’re in line for a van to get home. It’s been two hours of standing and your brain is tired. You stop thinking about the time.

You’re thinking of throwing in the towel, but then “Liwanag sa Dilim” plays through your earbuds on shuffle. It’s a song you haven’t heard in a while, but it still gives off that same hopeful feeling.

The corners of your mouth lift and you smile. You think about possible solutions that don’t involve running away from your problems.

EXT. TIMOG AVENUE, QUEZON CITY – DAY.

It’s a Sunday afternoon. You and the person you’ve been seeing are walking along a random street.

Feelings are confusing in general, more so on this day. The usually very loud QC area suddenly goes quiet. And then you hear a confession that makes your heart flutter.

Automatically, “Your Universe” is the first song that plays in your head.

Bamboo Manalac, Nathan Azarcon, Mark Escueta, Rico Blanco as part of Rivermaya.
Instagram: Rico Blanco

INT. YOUR BEST FRIEND’S GARAGE – NIGHT.

It’s the end of the week that felt like a year. After all the stress of school, work, or dealing with situations that just aren’t worth it, you and your friends have finally pushed through with your plans for an inuman.

After a few shots of gin and pineapple juice, your best friend takes out his guitar. They play the first few chords of “214.” You and your tipsy tropa sing along with all your heart. And you know what, you all sound so good.

It’s followed with “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita.” Then there’s “Kisapmata.” Maybe you’ll sneak in “Elesi.”

For your “last song na talaga,” you end the night with “Antukin.” Finally, yet hesitantly, you get up to go home, promising to see each other again next week.

Whether it’s taking a simple walk outside, achieving a huge career or personal milestone, or whenever you need someone to turn to, there’s always going to be that OPM song that just hits the spot.

It’s cool to think how this one man is behind your favorites, the creator of the soundtrack of your life as the main character: Rico Blanco.

His music just gets it. It feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day, a best friend that makes you feel seen, and at least three minutes of your life to help release all the thoughts and feelings stuck inside.

Starting out as a keyboardist and founding member of Rivermaya, Rico served in various roles for the group — vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter — from 1994 to 2007.

In 2008, the multi-hyphenate launched his solo career with the powerful single “Yugto,” now considered a rock classic, as part of his debut album Your Universe, which includes the hit titular song, plus “Ayuz” and “Antukin.”

Throughout his career, Rico entered different parts of the entertainment industry as a music producer, talent manager, host, and actor. He also became an actor at one point and started some businesses, but his love for music never left.

In fact, it’s the one thing Rico keeps coming back to. Music is the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Rico Blanco.

INT. TWO DIFFERENT PARTS OF MANILA – DAY.

It’s two weeks before Rico Blanco’s first solo show at the Araneta Coliseum. SVIP and VIP tickets are sold out, he’s got a rehearsal the next day. As he sits down for an exclusive Zoom interview with GMA News Online, the musician says he’s just realized how much of a big deal this show is.

Sure he’s done large shows with Rivermaya and with other artists on the bill, but this is Rico’s first solo gig in a huge venue. “Definitely there's a lot of excitement,” he said. “I’m always more excited than I am nervous.

“I heard that some of my cousins and old friends are coming, and I’ve realized, ‘Oo nga ‘no, they've never been to a concert of mine in all this time that I've been doing this. So parang maybe they feel also that this is important,’” he said.

“I don't know, maybe it's also that and a combination of [how] we're really dying also for live music and to be there with the crowd.”

Along with that excitement and just a little bit of nervousness comes the fact that Rico still enjoys the challenges of preparing for a gig.

“I realized this is why I jumble things up all the time. I can easily just do my last show, do it in Araneta exactly the same, or whatever I did before. But it's always new arrangements and trying new things.

“I think if you ask my fans who’ve followed my concerts over the years, there's always a new element each time and it's a challenge,” he said.

Rico added, “I don't know if I like challenging myself or if I'm doing it just so I'm always still excited and looking forward. Because I easily get tired of repetition.

“I like the danger of trying things out for the first time and if it works, you capture it. People capture it.

“I like capturing a new idea, working and capturing it with everyone. I want gigs to be special whether it's big or small. I want each gig to be special, unique. Also, [I] really like to create.”

Photo: Sony Music

We tell the creator of everybody’s official life soundtracks about how his songs have helped people through both achievements and challenges.

“Actually I was getting emotional when you were asking the question because this is really…” Rico paused.

“This makes everything worth it when I hear stuff like that. It doesn’t matter who said it.”

Rico recalled how some famous people have said those kind words to him, but a lot of the time, he gets to meet supporters randomly, like while waiting for doctor’s appointments or them simply walking over to talk.

Taking another quick pause, he expressed, “They will tell me, ‘I have this career because of your song. [Your music was there] when I was studying or when no one believed in me.’

“There's a very successful doctor now — or a businessman — who was doubted by his peers at some point and he kept playing one of my songs. It fills my heart.”

Most of Rico’s long-time fans have been following him since they were students and now lead successful lives.

“They went on with their lives apart from art and music and all of that. But somehow my music helped them get through with their lives and to me, I really appreciate it.

“I don't get to read about my exploits as much as I read about my peers’ accomplishments. So I take pride in compliments like the one that you just shared with me—that music is part of people's lives,” Rico said.

“Kahit panliligaw lang yan, they come up to me. [They say that they’re] together. They've been together for 30 years, happily married, and they named their kids Yugto because my songs brought them together,” he shared.

“Stuff like that is important to me. And it's more important to me than a five-star rating by a critic in some magazine owned by their uncle.”

In the same way that he has helped fans, Rico agreed that his supporters have helped him go through life as well.

“There's a lot of times when I am doubting why I even continue doing this,” he revealed.

“I [was] traveling the world saying I'm done with music at some point, and then an old man, an immigration officer says, ‘oh, Rico? San ka nagpunta? Ang dami mong pinuntahan. Tama yan, pahinga ka lang. Tapos pag ready ka na, balik ka na ulit sa music ah.’ Then pak, stamp na siya [ng passport].”

The surreal stories of support don’t stop there. When Rico puts easter eggs in his album’s non-singles that he connects to previous songs—“I think no one’s gonna get it,” he noted—some fans will go up to him to talk about how this lyric goes with that one song.

“When I'm in the studio and I'm working at 4 a.m. trying to repeat a line or trying to think of a solution to a musical problem, stories like that give me the confidence na it's worth it.

“It will be worth it. Maybe people won't notice it now, but maybe 10 years later someone will notice it.”

Photo: KDR Music House

The topic of quitting music came as a surprise, most especially since it came from the artist himself.

“I think in life when we're doing one thing over and over again, we tend to wonder also what else we can do. So it happened to me,” Rico shared.

He said that in his seventh year in Rivermaya, they took a one-month break. It wasn’t until the band turned 14 — “another seven-year cycle,” Rico notes — that he parted ways with Rivermaya.

At around that time, the musician considered doing something else besides music, he reveals.

“Feeling ko lang, kasi it was 2016, and I saw one radio year-end countdown and my song was on the top of the Filipino tracks.

“Sabi ko, at that point, it's what—23 years na of doing it. Parang, what's my goal? To have more number one hits? And I don't mean to sound unappreciative because I'm very appreciative. But why add more of the same? Or do I say enough na yan, try to do other things naman?”

That break lasted from late 2016 to 2019, which looking back on it, was something Rico felt like he needed.

During that period, Rico sampled the simple life in El Nido, where he earned his scuba diving license.

“I’m happy I took a break. It gave me a new positioning for what I'm going to do in at least [the next] 10 years.”

And then there’s music, something that he goes back to even after everything.

“I guess the obvious answer [as to why I remain in music] will be [that] I appreciate the value that people attach to my music, especially the live performances,” he noted.

“I know this amount [of support] is a lot and I still appreciate it. I know in relation to when I was starting out, ang layo na niya. So that's one.

“So as long as I do it, and it doesn't stress me out, then it's worth it. So that's the live [music], that's the income, that's the business side of it.

“It's appreciation of that na finally, vina-value yung live performances.”

When it comes to creating new tracks, the artist says that his bursts of inspiration just happen, which is why he continues on.

“Pag may nagawa na ko, parang sayang naman kapag nandiyan lang because I don't stop making. In fact, when I leave music officially, parang mas madami akong nagagawang songs. Parang walang pressures.”

Rico shared, “There are hundreds of songs that are in my archives.”

It’s the middle of the interview. Showing some excitement about those hundreds of unreleased songs, we had to know about the legend’s songwriting and artistic process, which all starts with making a decision.

“The song starts when I decide I'm going to make a song,” Rico says. “To me, that's the most important part of the process—deciding you're gonna make a song because the how is always different.”

Rico added that he is not the type to write only when he’s in a quiet place or when he buys a nice new instrument.

“And I think the beauty of — one of the things I enjoy about art and creating is doing what you can with what you have.

“I mean, those [factors] are important, but what if I'm stuck in a noisy airport and there's music blasting, there’s a TV, monitors, or flight announcements every few seconds. I still write anyway if I decide that I am going to write,” he related.

Rico noted, “I know you're asking for tips sa process but I really want to stress—it's really the decision that you're going to make a song.

“And then somewhere along the way, ang pangit or ang hirap, or it's not working—but you have to stick to your decision eh. Tatapusin mo yung kanta. Gagawa ka ng kanta. Tapusin mo.”

He continued, “Whatever happens in between, it's not as important as deciding.

“Sinasabi kasi lagi, ‘mahirap eh.’ Eh kaya ka nga gagaling eh, kasi ginagawa mo mahirap, masasanay ka na, [tapos] hindi na siya mahirap. Next level naman na yung gagawin mo diba.”

Rico looked at his early days, back when they had to rent studios and had to make the most of their time and write a song on the spot, or else their slot would be given to another band.

“I did ‘Antukin,’ I remember I just had the first verse and a bit of the chorus but I decided to record the drums,” he recalled.

Although he doesn’t do it all the time, Rico explained, “Tinugtugan ko na ng drums para malatag lang yung form of the song. I didn't even know what the chords were going to be. Tinapos ko na yung drums, and then I wrote the music on top of the drums.”

Instagram: Rico Blanco

When he’s not on stage, Rico says he’s still the same person in real life—someone who cares about his art, loved ones, and fans.

“I think pag nananood ka ng gigs ko, more or less makikita mo yun na rin ako eh. Cheerleader mode lang nga 'pag concert. But even my spiels, ayun na talaga ako eh, I don't really take myself so seriously,” he smiled.

What the audience doesn’t see however is Rico behind the scenes and rehearsing songs countless times, plus lots of business meetings. “Mga financial statements, I’m very comfortable analyzing.

“I eat right, carefully watch my diet. I try to sleep right. I try my best to exercise right,” he shared.

“I try not to work on weekends. I just try to do my, I guess mga home stuff. Online shopping ako ng mga kailangan sa bahay, mga maliliit lang na bagay like cables or kailangan sa kusina or what. Pampadali ng buhay,” Rico laughed.

“I'm also a boyfriend. I'm also a son. I'm also an uncle, a brother. So I deal with family stuff also like any other person.”

When asked about his favorite artists, Rico says he does not have anyone in particular but enjoys listening to various music compilations on streaming sites and on the radio. He does, however, share his favorite album of all time: The Beatles’ Abbey Road.

And at this point in his life, he said he is rediscovering his love for the guitar.

“I started out as a keyboard player right, and then guitars, and then vocals, then I had this whole electronic phase, and then back to guitars. And right now I'm really kind of rediscovering the guitar, and I think that's where I'm headed in the near future,” the artist shared.

“I think my relationship with the guitar, it started [again] during the pandemic. Na-rediscover ko siya and parang may na-unlock ako sa relationship namin.”

Rico added that he still always learns and ends up in different aspects of music. At one point, he focused on stripping down musical elements, but right now, he’s looking at how his songs will sound like if he had a better connection with the guitar.

“So meron pala tayong pwedeng i-explore dito. It's weird to say that at this point in my career, but nag-go-grow ulit yung relationship with the guitar.

“Parang ‘ah, kaya mo pala yan gawin,’ sabi ko sa [guitar]. Sabi niya sa ‘kin, ‘ah, kaya mo rin pala.’”

Instagram: Rico Blanco

INT. AN HOUR LATER, STILL IN TWO DIFFERENT PARTS OF MANILA – DAY.

Rico is done with another press interview on this busy day.

When he isn’t rehearsing three times a week for five hours each time for The Big Dome, Rico is just at home quarantining or attending meetings for the artists he’s managing as the CEO of Balcony Entertainment.

The OPM icon shows no signs of stopping. And because of that, we learned about his next goals.

“Tama yung question mo eh. Next goal, next goal lang—walang end, walang one goal eh,” he said.

Rico shared that his top priorities are his businesses and his artists.

“I want to establish the young artists sa music scene and then make sure the established artists are comfortable also, and maybe adding [more artists.] I know that I want to do that. For the next at least 10 years sure yun, or even longer.”

Rico then revealed that he will be moving to La Union in a few weeks and will be based there for a few years to manage his new business.

“I can't wait lang till after the [Araneta] concert. I’m gonna head over to La Union and work for Port San Juan [a new commercial complex in the area].” The daily work involves supervising and hosting the tenants and guests.

“That's something that I dreamt about when I took that break in 2016, 2017. So it's finally happening five years later.”

Rico expressed, “Ganun eh, when I dream of something—[like in] the song [‘Antukin’]— I decide I'm going to make it happen. Kahit mahirap, I push through.”

But of course, we had to know whether he will be releasing a new song or an album soon. Maybe the change of pace and scenery could be his new sources of inspiration too.

Rico simply answered, “No comment. But I’m smiling.” And he was, with a twinkle in his eyes.

We thank each other endlessly for this incredible conversation, and then continue out the rest of our day as the main characters of our lives.