One of the pioneers of OPM in the 70s singer Rico Puno has taken his final bow with his passing Tuesday morning. He was 65.
Puno’s death was announced on social media by his sister-in-law Anna Puno.
“I am seized with deep emotional shock when I found out that our OPM King – Kuya Rico J. Puno – has passed away this morning (Tuesday),” Anna said on her Instagram account.
Two years ago, the local music icon underwent a triple bypass surgery, after experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath on the set of the sitcom, “Home Sweetie Home.”
Puno received a pacemaker to address his heart condition, Rico J. is set to return on stage in "Sana Tatlo Ang Puso Ko”, on November 23 at The Theatre in Solaire.
“I dont need to be sleazy,” said Rico who was with us at the time. “Remember in my heyday, women would throw their panties at me during my concert. I’m just glad they were fresh ones.”
Puno’s hit songs included Kapalaran (Fate), Buhat (Ever Since), Macho Gwapito (Gorgeous Young Man), Lupa (Soil), Damdamin (Feelings), May Bukas Pa (There's Still Tomorrow)", Ang Tao'y Marupok (People Are Weak), Magkasuyo Buong Gabi (Together Through the Night) - a duet with Elsa Chan - and his Filipino rendition of You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show).
One of Puno’s recent album is Aliw by Sony BMG Records. Its carrier single was Kay Hirap Mong Limutin (It Is Hard To Forget You) by Lito Camo
He was also active in politics. In 1998, he was elected as the City Councilor of Makati City 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 City, but was unsuccessful. In 2016, Puno was elected as a councilor in Makati, under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) - Mariquita Pangilinan
