Sing no sad songs for Rico Blanco

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark (The Philippine Star)

Sing no more sad songs for Rico Blanco. Two years after some people — including him — doubted whether he made the right decision in leaving Rivermaya, Rico knows he did the right thing. “I realize it’s right for me — for anyone who works hard — to take a break, to go on vacation,” Rico muses.

One of the many perks going solo is giving him so far is working with other artists.

His Rivermaya days confined Rico’s work to his band mates. Back then, he wondered what it would be like to jam with other artists, swap ideas with them.

Now, he wonders no more.

“It feels good,” Rico beams. “Every musician has something good to share.”

One look at Your Universe, his first solo album (Warner Music Philippines) and you know what Rico is talking about. He works with Eraserheads’ Buddy Zabala in the opening track Say Forever.

Yugto, the first single, sees Rico performing with Louie Talan (Razorback and Kapatid) and Wowie Ansano and Fards Tupas of Radioactive Sago Project.

Another track, Your Universe, features former bandmate Nathan Azarcon (also of Bamboo) and Wendell Garcia (Barbie’s Cradle, Pupil).

The singer-songwriter’s options have multiplied; his field of vision grown even more.

“I have to work with more people these days,” he reports.

Among them are his business partners in Balcony Entertainment, the record label and artist management outfit he has put up.

“I called it Balcony because you find the best seats in the house at the balcony. The pope addresses the faithful in the balcony. In the same vein, I plan to give artists the best stage possible,” he explains.

Rico talks like a proud dad as he describes his first protégé, whose youth and talent the budding talent manager is willing to stake his name for. Rico has big plans for his new talent, whose name he refuses to give for now. Suffice it to say that Rico plans to launch his potential star next year.

If he can help it, Rico’s search for “talents I can pass the torch to” will go on and on. Rico is bent on discovering as many new talents as he can for the sake of an industry he wants to grow by leaps and bounds.

This messianic outlook defines Rico in many ways. He wrote the song Bangon, to cheer up Typhoon Ondoy victims when they needed it most. Rico collaborated with Imago lead vocalist Aia de Leon and Sandwich frontman Raimund Marasigan for Ako ang Simula, theme of ABS-CBN’s voter registration campaign.

“I’m thankful for the blessings,” Rico humbly says.

“And he’s thankful enough to add that Ayuz, fourth single off Your Universe, reflects his situation these days (he’s promoting the single some more by giving away limited edition T-shirts for the first 40 people to register in his website — www.ricoblanco.com.ph).

“I have peace of mind. I made sure I did before I returned to the business,” he explains. “I have no regrets. I’m proud to have been part of Rivermaya.” Even if problems about the band’s name remain unresolved to this day, Rico refuses to dip his hands into the controversy.

“I can’t comment on that because I’m no longer part of the band,” he says.

Remember, he’s after harmony with himself and the world around him, not rancor. The eternal do-gooder would rather sing about relationships — “with others, with pets, with objects” — the way he does in Ayuz (Rico’s version of the word “ayos” ).

As his dance sequences in the song’s music video point out, Rico would rather keep the mood light, easy and upbeat. A dancing Rico seems to be telling us: Everything’s alright in my world.

His Gary V like moves — with matching footwork and jerky gestures — also reveal that Rico has been keeping his dancing skills under wraps all along.

“I learned to sing and dance at the same time I learned to walk,” he states. “My grandmother taught me to waltz. And I was doing a John Travolta at age 10.”

Will a dance CD come next for Rico, who plans to release a new album in 2010?

Given Rico’s penchant for spreading his wings, and boldly stepping into uncharted territory, you’ll never know.