Manager runs after Rico Blanco

Last Thursday, June 12, Funfare came out with the “exclusive” about Rico Blanco’s new single Yugto as a solo artist (after he split from Rivermaya like what Bamboo also did a few years ago) for Warner Music, his new home.

Here’s a reaction letter to both Rico (photo) and Warner boss Jaime Baluyut, forwarded to Funfare by lawyer Harriet O. Demetriou:

MR. JAIME BALUYUT

General Manager

Warner Music Philippines

24/F Union Bank Plaza

Meralco Avenue corner Onyx

& Sapphire Sts.

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

MR. RICO BLANCO

c/o Mr. Jaime Baluyut

General Manager

Warner Music Philippines

24/F Union Bank Plaza

Meralco Avenue corner Onyx

& Sapphire Sts.

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Dear Messrs. Baluyut & Blanco:

I write on behalf of Ms. Lizza G. Nakpil, the managing director of Rana Entertainment, Inc. with whom Mr. Blanco has a talent, promotion, management and royalty contract from 1994 until 2009.

Ms. Nakpil has been very disturbed and extremely distressed by your open, flagrant and malicious breach of the aforesaid agreement as shown by the article entitled “Yes, it’s Rico Blanco” prominently printed and/or written on the cover page of the Entertainment Section of the Philippine Daily Star (sic) in its yesterday’s (June 12th) issue.

Mr. Blanco cannot deny that he signed or executed the subject contract with Rana Entertainment, Inc. as duly represented by Ms. Nakpil not only as a member of the Rivermaya band but also as an independent talent himself. His lame and hollow excuse that he had already resigned from the band by virtue of a self-serving letter he wrote last 25 April 2007 does not free or release him from his own contractual obligations and/or liabilities therein.

Ms. Nakpil is aghast why Warner Music Philippines thru Mr. Baluyut would blatantly be a willing and collaborating party to Mr. Blanco’s violation of his own personal undertaking with Rana Entertainment, Inc. to the detriment of Warner’s internationally recognized name, fame and goodwill.

Mr. Blanco’s assertion that he never renewed his contract with Rana Entertainment, Inc. upon its prior expiration in 2003 is a pure canard for the reason that he never had the option or right to reject its renewal. It had been given to Rana Entertainment, Inc. who, instead, opted to renew it until 2009. Succeeding events after 2003 proved an uninterrupted contractual relationship between them.

Ms. Nakpil insists on no less than Mr. Blanco’s bona fide compliance with the terms and conditions of his contract with Rana Entertainment, Inc. and the respect for such legal undertaking by Warner Music Philippines. Short of it, she is prepared to translate this demand letter into a language of a lawsuit.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) HARRIET O. DEMETRIOU