Celebrated Filipino singers surprised by the passing of OPM icon Rico J. Puno, who was 65, on Monday.
Puno’s daughter-in-law, Anna Puno, broke the news on Instagram as she expressed her grief and shock when she found out about the older Puno’s death.
“I am seized with deep emotional shock when I found out that our OPM King—Kuya Rico J. Puno has passed away this morning,” she said.
She cited his 40th anniversary solo concert prepared for him as his unexpected “final bow.”
“Little did I know that this is his final bow in the live entertainment world. We will forever miss the total entertainer…but his songs will forever cherish in our hearts,” the relative said.
Similarly, his daughter Tosca Camille-Ramos also related in an interview that he was still “in high spirits” the night before.
The daughter-in-law revealed in a separate interview that the late Puno checked himself in at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Taguig last night after coming home from an event.
Puno said that doctors attempted to revive him twice, but failed.
In her post, she made a request to the late singer’s fans and to the entertainers in the industry to stop and say a prayer for him.
Top artists mourn for friend and colleague
Other veteran Filipino singers-actors who are close friends with the singer also posted messages of condolences and grief for his death.
Broadway star Lea Salonga said that she will never forget Puno’s “distinctive voice.”
Megastar Sharon Cuneta recalled the times she sang with him in many concerts on a lengthy Instagram message. She also remembered the moment he told her that she had one of the “prettiest faces.”
“Huwag masyadong bastos ang jokes sa taas ha Kuya baka ihagis ka ni Lord pababa hala! Seriously, we will never be the same…we miss you already. Rest in peace, the great RICO J. PUNO. Our most loving and deepest condolences to your family,” Cuneta said.
Both Cuneta and Salonga just performed at their 40th anniversary solo concerts prepared for them by the ABS-CBN network.
These anniversary events celebrate the singers’ 40 years in the Filipino music industry.
Meanwhile, veteran singer Jenine Desiderio, the mother of actress Janella Salvador, shared an old photo of her and Puno together singing for an occasion.
“Thank you for the laughter, the music, all the advice when i was just starting in this industry, for making me a part of your countless shows, the friendship, simply everything,” Desiderio said.
Similarly, Gary Valenciano also posted an old photo of him and Puno performing together and called him “kapitan.”
One of the pioneers
Puno, who started his music career in the 70s, first became known for incorporating Filipino lyrics to American songs.
The most notable of this is his rendition of the contemporary classic “The Way We Were” by American singer Barbara Streisand.
Other songs that continue to be part of Filipino playlists are “Macho Gwapito,” “May Bukas Pa,” and “Magkasuyo Buong Gabi.”
Aside from singing, he also became popular for his tongue-in-cheek comedy performances on-stage and on TV shows.
In recent years, he starred in ABS-CBN’s comedy show “Home Sweetie Home” and a judge in the network’s talent show “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” —Artwork by Uela Altar-Badayos