The news of the sudden demise of legendary Original Pinoy Music (OPM) singer and Total Performer Rico J. Puno has made it to the obituary section of The New York Times' online counterpart.
Written by Mike Ives, the New York Times piece is titled "Rico J. Puno, Soul Music Pioneer in the Philippines, Dies at 65."
It chronicles how Rico J. made waves in the '70s Philippine music scene with his popular rendition of various American hit songs and then eventually carved his own niche as "the larger-than-life Total Entertainer."
Even the New York Times' article has caught on Rico J's brand of entertainment, which is making his audience roll in laughter with green jokes in between performing his hit songs with his signature raspy-but-powerful singing voice.
An excerpt from the article reads, "Mr. Puno made American music his own by adding bawdy lyrics and banter in Tagalog.
"One of his best-known covers, for example, was 'You Don’t Have to Be a Star,' by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
"And he embellished it with this line: 'Even if you’re ugly, I still need you.'
"Over the years, Mr. Puno performed solo and with the Hitmakers, a group that included the Filipino musicians Rey Valera and Hajji Alejandro."
The New York Times ends with a quote from a 2002 Philippine Star article that describes Rico J. as one of the legendary OPM hitmakers who have consistently shown "talent, unique performing style and the capability to excite an audience over nearly 30 years.”
It was Rico J.'s sister-in-law Anna Puno who broke the news that he passed away on Tuesday morning, October 30 (Manila time).
Additional reports from ABS-CBN News online quoted Rico's daughter Tosca saying that the singer-actor died of heart failure.
Few weeks earlier, in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Rico J. expressed his excitement over headlining the concert Sana Tatlo Ang Puso Ko together with Marissa Sanchez and Giselle Sanchez on November 23.
Rico J. even mentioned how he feels blessed to be able to use his God-given "gift" to sing and entertain the Filipino audience after all these years in the music scene.
Recalling how he survived a triple bypass surgery in 2015, Rico J. said, "Yan naman ang lagi kong pinapasalamat sa Panginoon. Hindi pa niya akong pinapa-retire sa pag-awit.
"Kaya pa rin natin awitin ang mga naging hits natin and hindi ako nahihirapan. It's really a gift that I thank the Lord na hindi pa niya inaalis sa akin."
Aside from his stints in singing and acting, Rico J. was also seeking reelection as Makati City councilor in the 2019 elections.