Rico: Happily solo

MANILA, Philippines - When talking to Rico Blanco about his present pursuits, it’s impossible not to bring up the past. The past saw him become the much celebrated frontman and principal architect of the hits of the iconic band Rivermaya.

But Rico, nearly three years after he shockingly parted ways with Rivermaya, has no regrets about being part of the band, nor taking the solo route.

“First of all, I would like to give props to being in a band, and to my band Rivermaya. I would never be where I am now, if not for Rivermaya. When I look back, I am still very much proud of everything we’ve done. But being a solo artist has its perks too,” he said.

“I am reminded of [the movie character] Rambo. Sabi nya, I move faster when I’m alone. In a way, that’s true, I still have back ups now, but the people I work with, minsan ako pa ang nagba-back-up sa kanila. I work with different people now depending on what I need. In short, I am more flexible now. But I’ve no regrets being with the band.”

Rico’s first solo undertaking entitled Your Universe has been reissued by Warner Music Philippines, in a two CD format incorporating six fresh tracks, including the Ondoy-inspired Bangon, which showcases anew Rico’s inimitable gift for anthemic songwriting.

Also featured is China in Me, one of the songs included in the Southeast Asian release of the album along with the seemingly otherworldly Neon Lights and its funky Avy remix, which debuted at No. 1 in Hong Kong’s top radio chart, the Music Bus Hong Kong.

At this point of his career, which spans almost two decades, how big a deal is it still for him to be able to strike success internationally for his songs?

“It used to be like everything to me. When I was in Rivermaya, it was the ultimate goal for us,” he shared. “But after a while, over the years, there were many blessings that came my way, that I appreciated even just having my song played in the radio in the barrio.”

As supporter of the Sesame Street Kid Ako campaign

“To have my song chart abroad is as important to me as it being played by my own neighborhood. The pride that I get from it though is in knowing that Filipinos can be appreciated by foreign listeners and our music is capable of transcending borders, and I’m just representing. Every time I achieved an international recognition, it makes me proud of being Filipino.”

Since he has gone solo, Rico has become many things. His most recent high-profile venture outside music was starring in the hit TV series Imortal, for which he also wrote the haunting, piano-charged Kahit Walang Sabihin (also in the reissued edition). While it was not his first acting gig (he starred in the Peque Gallaga indie Nasaaan Si Francis?), Rico felt “humbled” by the experience.

“Most of us who have no idea what it’s like to work in a TV series are quick to judge, but afterwards, after I did this project, I can say for a fact that we have really talented actors, directors, writers, crew – we have more than enough talent. What we don’t have enough is time. And time costs a lot of money. “

“Sure, there are other areas that still need work, but with networks coming up with one show after another with Filipino content and workforce, jobs are being created, and different pieces of our culture are being incorporated.”

On a personal level, it taught him “to become way more patient, more than I could imagine. I can wait for four hours now without complaining, whereas before I already complain over 20 minutes or 30 minutes of delay.”

He’s very open to taking up another acting project, but Imortal drained his energy so much so that he has requested his label to allow him a month-long break before hitting the recording studio again.

“It’s very taxing, hats off to all the actors, and especially to the people behind the scenes, because they are the heroes there.”

Rico has also immersed himself in another project, in tandem with Sesame Street. He has been tapped to be the ambassador for the Sesame Street Kid Ako campaign, and fittingly so, as Rico is an avowed Sesame Street baby, whose favorite character is Oscar the Grouch (“Marami kaming similarities pag-umaga. Gustong gusto ko sa kanya ay funny siya, and siguro matutunan natin sa kanya tawanan yung masungit na tao.”)

As the local face and voice to the campaign, he will be at the forefront of efforts to generate support from the media and sponsors to raise funds to create a Sesame Street corner in public schools, complete with a TV and DVD and Sesame Street videos. “More than encouraging a better grasp of the English language, what we can learn from the show ay yung values and yung creative imagination,” he said.

Rico was also allowed to put a rock spin to two classic Sesame Street tunes – Lonely N and Lady Bug’s Picnic.

With the Sesame Street involvement also educational in nature, has he ever seriously thought of mentoring new artists?

“Yes. In fact, I’ve been doing that from the start. New artists like to compare notes with me, and I give them my thoughts. I have actually set up a label and a sort of management initiative, wherein over the six years now, I’ve been trying to look for new artists na pwede ko ma-contribute to the music industry.”

He, however, lamented that new artists are not as impassioned and driven when it came to taking risks for their music. 

“There’s a lot of effort now, you have to go to them and draw them out. Unlike before in the ‘90s when they just surface. It’s kinda different now for some reason, and it boggles my mind, and it’s kind of frustrating because you’re giving them a shot, but I think they’re used to being spoon-fed. It’s very frustrating. But I’ve met a number of really talented kids who deserve a break. You will know more about it in the next few months,” he said.

As he becomes the consummate multi-hyphenate, what interest of his is currently weighing with more importance for him? He said that he’s still the same, adding that “I’m not more of this, I’m not more of that. I am someone who wants to try different things all the time.”

Would he try to agree to a reunion gig with his former band?

“I’m the kind of person – I think I am – who doesn’t say no. But I really don’t see it. [Yes, I’m not going to do it] not even for the money because if money were the most important thing for me, then I wouldn’t be in the arts. Maybe one day, I’m going to wake up and feel like doing a reunion gig, because nothing’s gonna convince me to do it; it has to be myself.”