RICO J. PUNO. FATHER OF OPM. OPM LEGEND. OPM ICON. ACTOR. HOST. PUBLIC SERVANT. THREE TERM CITY COUNCILOR. FATHER. FRIEND. 

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Enrico De Jesus known as Rico J. Puno was born on February 13, 1953 and nurtured by his loving Parents; Nanay Corazon and Tatay Felipe Puno. Rico J. studied at MAPA High School and finished his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration at PSBA. Being the eldest among the six siblings who grew up in Balic-balic Sampaloc Manila, he knew he had to initiate and do something to be able to help his family. He sought for employment and even applied as a Bell Boy in which he was not hired. Not giving up, he applied as a Folk Singer in various Manila Clubs such as Spindle. With his God-given Talent and Passion for his Craft, fueled with Hunger, Grit and Perseverance; Rico J. Puno was on his way to his Kapalaran or Destiny of being the Philippines' one and only Total Entertainer!

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One afternoon in the 1970's; the famous American Motown group, The Temptations along with the Executive Producers from Vicor Records had lunch at The Palazzi where Rico J. Puno was having his regular gig. The Motown group was so impressed with the Folk Singer that one of the members of The Temptations sang with him. Mr. Puno was later on invited by Mr. Vic Del Rosario to visit their office and as the saying goes, the rest was history. Vicor Records proceeded in making Rico J. Puno's first record. 

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He's known for instilling his own Tagalog Lyrics with English songs and among these were LOVE WON'T LET ME WAIT and THE WAY WE WERE. He also became one of San Miguel Beer Corporation's Product Endorser in the 1970's in which the advertisement was popularly known as the "Isang Platitong Mani" Commercial, making Rico J. Puno a sought after Endorser.  Rico J. also represented the Philippines at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1979 and sang LUPA. It must have been great to witness the rise of OPM in our country. Rico J. Puno was one of those who paved the way for it to flourish.

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Longevity and how to stay in Music Industry is a completely different story. In 2001, The Greatest Hits Series was born and brought the Hitmakers such as Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuniga,  Marco Sison, and Rico J. Puno together. The Hitmakers had great chemistry together. It became such a huge success that it became one of the longest running in demand Concert Series here and abroad. 

 

Aside from being a great Singer/Performer, Rico J. was also a great Host. He was one of the hosts of GMA Network's noon time Variety Show, Lunch Date alongside Orly Mercado, Toni Rose Gayda, and Chiqui Hollman. Later on, Rico J. and Hajji Alejandro led RPN 9's Chibugan Na with Arnel Ignacio, Michelle Aldana, Chiqui Pineda and Gino Padilla. Later on in his career, he became part of Abs-Cbn's Pilipinas Win na Win and Happy Yipee Yehey. He would always ask the bubbly audience, "Are you happyyyyyyyy?" He was also seen encouraging the contestants of It's  Showtime's Tawag Ng Tanghalan as one of the "Hurados" or judges.

 

Rico J. Puno was also a good Actor. Aside from doing movies, he was also in T.V. Series and Sitcoms. He was also a part of ABS-CBN's Home Sweetie Home Sitcom and FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Daga. Rico J. Puno was also a great public servant who generously and happily served the People of Makati as a City Councilor for 11 years. He lived his life with much love, humility, and passion. The Filipino people are proud to have Rico J. Puno as the Philippines' very own Macho Gwapito and The Total Entertainer. Thank you Mr. Rico J. Puno for the Love, Music, and Laughter! Mahal ka namin! 

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