Rico J. Puno

Enrico de Jesus Puno (; February 13, 1953 – October 30, 2018), better known as Rico J. Puno , was a Filipino singer, television host, actor, comedian and politician. He was considered as a music icon in the Philippines. He started the trend of incorporating Tagalog lyrics in his rendition of the American song "The Way We Were" and other foreign songs. Puno was known as a singer who regularly infused his on-stage performance with tongue-in-cheek comedy and adult humor. He hosted the ABS-CBN noontime variety shows Pilipinas Win na Win (alongside Rey Valera, Marco Sison, and Nonoy Zuñiga for two months in 2010) and Happy Yipee Yehey!.

Puno was also active in politics. In 1998, he was elected as the city councilor of Makati from its 1st district until his third and last term ended in 2007. He ran for a comeback in 2010 as the vice mayoralty candidate of Makati, but was unsuccessful. In 2016, Puno was elected as a councilor in Makati, under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), until his death.

Biography Puno was born in Manila to Felipe Puno Sr. and Corazon J. Puno. He attended Victorino Mapa High School. 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.

Acting career Aside from singing, Rico also ventured into acting as a comedian. His first movie was Bawal Na Pag-ibig in 1977. His first and only action thriller movie was Alas Dose (2001), where he plays as a bad congressman who bombs a preschool learning center.

Owing to his rising popularity, various TV networks and movie producers soon came knocking on his door for more acting/hosting opportunities. GMA Network hired Puno to host a noontime variety show, Lunch Date which first aired in March 1986 and served as a replacement for Student Canteen. However, in 1987 he left the show after it reformatted. In 1994–1995, he headlined another noontime show, Chibugan Na (It's Eating Time), aired weekdays at noon on RPN, 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. In 2010, he also hosted Pilipinas Win na Win and later Happy Yipee Yehey! in 2011–2012. He later returned as a judge on It's Showtime, this time for its segment Tawag ng Tanghalan.

Other ventures Puno was also the owner of the karaoke bar, Coriks, at Vito Cruz Extension, Makati. He also managed a trucking business.

Political career Puno ran and won a seat in the Makati City Council for the first district in 1998 under Lakas–CMD. He was re-elected in 2001 and 2004. 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. He then teamed up with Junjun Binay to run for vice mayor of Makati in 2010. Although Binay won the mayoralty race, Puno lost to Kid Peña, who was the running mate of then-outgoing vice mayor Ernesto Mercado.

As his daughter Tosca was term-limited, he successfully regained a seat in the Makati City Council in 2016 under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) ticket of Abigail Binay. He planned to seek reelection but died after he filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC). He was substituted by his daughter Tosca, who would then go on to win a seat in the city council and serve until 2022.

Death Puno died of heart failure at age 65 on October 30, 2018, at St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City. His wake was held at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish in Forbes Park, Makati, with a requiem Mass held on November 5. On November 6, his remains were later brought to the Makati City Hall before being laid to rest at The Heritage Park in Taguig.

Awards Special Lifetime Achievement Award, ASAP Pinoy 2017, ASAP Show, ABS-CBN 2

Filmography Television Rico Baby Rated A GMA Supershow (1978–1997) – guest performer Student Canteen (1975–1986) – guest performer Lunch Date Chibugan Na! Vilma on Seven! (1986–1995) – guest performer It's Showtime – Guest Judge Talentadong Pinoy Daboy en Da Girl Show Me Da Manny Pilipinas Win Na Win Macho Guwapito Willing Willie Umagang Kay Ganda Happy Yipee Yehey The X Factor Philippines Lorenzo's Time Little Champ The Sharon Cuneta Show (1988–1997) – Guest / Performer Ryan Ryan Musikahan (1988–1995) – Guest / Performer Sa Linggo nAPO Sila (1990–1995) – Guest / Performer 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila (1995–1998) – Guest / Performer Home Sweetie Home Sabado Badoo It's Showtime – Judge of Tawag Ng Tanghalan Eat Bulaga! – Guest / Performer FPJ's Ang Probinsyano – Engelbert "Daga" Moreno (guest role) (November–December 2017) Wowowin – Guest / Performer Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 2 – Guest Judges of week 10 RJ's Penthouse – Guest / Performer 1 for 3 – Guest Cast

Film Bawal Na Pag-ibig (1977) Wow! Sikat Pare, Bigat! (1977) Silang Mga Mukhang Pera (1977) Bullet for Your Music (1978) Annabelle Huggins Story (1982) Isang Platitong Mani (1986) Payaso Dr. Potpot Travels to the Moon (1991) – Enzio Tom & Jerry: Hindi Kaming Hayop (1993) – Alfie Sailor's Disaster (1994) – Bruno Indecent Professor (1995) – Atty. Fernando Gorospe Alyas Boy Tigas: Ang Probinsyanong Wais (1998) Matalino Man ang Matsing Na-iisahan Din! (2000) Juan & Ted: Wanted (2000) – Mr. Mariano Alas-Dose (2001) – Congressman A.B. Normal College: Todo Na 'Yan! Kulang Pa 'Yun! (2003) Pakners (2003) – Richard de Guzman Asboobs: Asal Bobo (2003) – Capt. Palma Who's That Girl? (2011) – Rico Instant Mommy (2013) – Ben

Discography Albums Studio albums The Way We Were (1973, Sunshine/Vicor) Kapalaran (1975, Sunshine/Vicor) Rico J. Puno (1976, Sunshine/Vicor) Spirit of Christmas (1976, Sunshine/Vicor) Rico Baby (1977, Sunshine/Vicor) The Total Entertainer (1977, Sunshine/Vicor) Tatak (1977, Sunshine/Vicor) Macho Gwapito (1979, Sunshine/Vicor) Diyos ang Pag-Ibig (1980, Sunshine/Vicor) Ako Ang May Nais (1989, Ivory Records) Rico J. Puno (1991, Viva Records) Aliw (2001) With Love in Our Hearts (2005) Rico J Puno's Best Nonstop Songs (2022)

Compilation albums The Story Of: Rico J. Puno (The Ultimate OPM Collection) (2001, EMI Philippines) Once Again... with Rico J. Puno, Marco Sison and Rey Valera Vol. 1 (with Marco Sison & Rey Valera) (2003, Vicor) Rico Silver Series (2006, Viva Records) Walang Kupas... All Hits (2008, Vicor)

Live albums The Way We Were: Live (with Basil Valdez) (2004, Viva Records) Rico J. Puno: Live in Hawaii (produced by Willy Martin)

Compilation appearances The 2nd Metro Manila Pop Music Festival (1978, Blackgold) Handog sa Pasko (1991, Viva Records) Metropop Song Festival 1996 (1996, Infinity Music) 25 Great Songs 25 Great Artists (1998, OctoArts/EMI Music Philippines) Ultraelectromagneticjam! (2005, Musiko Records/Sony BMG Music Philippines) No. 1 Signature Hits OPM's Best (2008, Viva/Vicor) Pinoy Sound Trip Vol. 1 (2008, Vicor) Pinoy Sound Trip Vol. 2 (2008, Vicor) 18 Inspirational Love Songs (2009, Viva Records) Live Na Live: Unforgettable Live Performance (2009, Viva Records) C.H.I.N. Picnic Celebration, Toronto Canada (produced by Joel Recla) (2012)

Soundtrack appearances Happy Yipee Yehey! Soundtrack (2011, Star Records)

Singles "All I Ever Want" (a finalist of Metropop Song Festival 1996) "Cartada Dies" "Kapalaran" (covered by Radioactive Sago Project, Martin Nievera & Gary V. & used for the action serye "FPJs Batang Quiapo") "Kay Hirap Mong Limutin" (Composed by Lito Camo) "Macho Guwapito" (covered by Protein Shake) "May Bukas Pa" (covered by Erik Santos) "Sorry Na, Pwede Ba?" (covered by Brownman Revival) "Together Forever"

Cover versions "Ang Huling El Bimbo" (Originally by Eraserheads) "Give Love on Christmas Day" (Originally by the Jackson 5) "Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko" (Originally by Rey Valera) "Mabuti Pa Sila" (Originally by Gary Granada) "Merry Christmas Darling" (Originally by the Carpenters) "Miss Kita Kung Christmas" (Originally by Susan Fuentes) "Sana Dalawa ang Puso" (Originally by Bodjie's Law of Gravity) "The Way We Were" (Originally by Barbra Streisand) "Time After Time" (Originally by Cyndi Lauper) (1987) "Weekend in Manila" (Originally by Barry Manilow as "Weekend in New England") "Yakap sa Dilim" (Originally by APO Hiking Society) "Lupa" (Originally by Asin Band) "Ako Ang May Nais" (Originally by Frank Sinatra as My Way)