RICO BLANCO: HUMMING IN HIS UNIVERSE

Another notable figure arrayed in the hall of fame is Rico Blanco. He is known for his acumen in penning songs that last for time or eternity in everybody's sense of musicality. Dodging obstacles along the way with utter submission to his responsibility as musician, Rico stands tall among rock artists gaining respect after respect rightly called-for his lot.

Rico Blanco exudes a powerful figure on stage, full of passion burning from inside out. His voice orchestrates with that figure like burning torch heralding a promising hit to gain supremacy on charts no sooner.

Nothing stops him from putting his best foot forward, and what he is likely to be doing every time he's tested on fire. After wobbling moments parting with his former band, here he comes again getting even with the odds.

Securing himself for an interview, here he speaks with eagerness to say something. He never did give us a second thought on it.

Figuring his fellow musicians in front of him, he could draw well few words for them, “Ely Buendia- kaibigan ko kasi yun, the person. Bamboo Manalac – I think also of the person. But sometimes I also think the band kasi. But most of the time, is the person. Chito Miranda. The same also. They are all the same 'coz I know them personally. That’s when you tell me their names, I think about the person not the work.” Further, “each one is unique naman eh. Iba-iba yung personalities nila. Like me, I'm talking to your question what come on my mind is really the people I don't even think about their music. All of them are soft-spoken. When you sit down with them, marami kang insight at wisdom na matututunan from these three great musicians.”

A tough musician never gets lost sight of the future. His optimism affects the way he treats the situation, people and events. “I think the scene is getting better. From the time that I have left maraming nagsasabi sa akin na humina y'ung scene. Nakabalik na ako, naka-few months na rin ako, I'm doing my part, I'm sharing my music. And so far I can see naman signs na it will get better,” he said. He's laying the fate of the industry or the music scene itself to the trascending quality of songs themselves, as obvious, “ang daming new quality music na lumalabas. Sa akin hindi naman nagma matter y'ung quality lang ng music. Kung maganda yung songs I think magiging healthy din yung scene. Ako yung songs they come first hindi yung the other things. If the scene has good songs the scene will be healthy.”

For him, good music gives relief at hard times. It's all about the same poles thatattract each other. So, good music will boom on the masses' interest no matter what the times will be. Rico calculating the society's demography and situation buffs, “and I think we should look at what's happening in the scene in a global perspective. Hirap ang mundo ngayon, so lahat ng industriya hirap talaga. So we should not think na 'Naku wala na y'ung music, Hindi we're doing well. It's just everyone is having tough times these days. The good thing about it is kapag mahirap ang panahon people turn to entertainment and music to help them get through the hard times. So mas tumitindi ang need. Sadly may piracy, pero y'ung sinasabi ko mas nagiging important yung role ng music especially sa hard times. So hindi tayo mawawala.”

Rico stays 'calm' despite roaring fame and achievements laid on his forehead. Staying proud rather than haughty, he feels that everything that comes along his way is a blessing to be shared rather than to be bragged of. “This is me. I'm proud of all my achievements. I feel blessed that I was given a chance to share my music with people. But that doesn't change who I am. I'm still the same person though it's not for me to say s'yempre,” he confessed.

He never gets tired of humming his tune. Monotony invites him to draw tribute to where he came from. He is never gets tired of playing his old hits. He explains, “I have done only a few shows. And so far, I sing mostly my new songs. But I'm not ashamed of my old songs. I am happy and proud of all my work in my previous group. So there's no reason I was to say no to playing old songs. Because I'm proud of those. If I did play my old songs its a tribute to where I came from. And all the musicians that I've worked with in Rivermaya. Tribute ko na 'yun, pang-honor ko 'yun ng pinanggalingan ko.”

Things may get out of control when you are fond of pleasing the crowd and not mind of the equilibrium between what yourself needs and them. Rico explains practically when he's up the stage when he is down, “when you come right after a show its hard to come down. You need about 5 to 10 minutes because the adrenaline is high. And you remember when you're on stage you're talking to a large body of people. Then all of a sudden you get off the stage you're talking one on one na lang, so you need sometime to adjust,” he explains.

Further, he elaborated things such as an artist quasi-snobbish attitude after the show, “and so the fans if sometimes, they think we spaced out or maybe right after the show we act different, huwag po sana nilang isipan ng masama 'yun. It's something siguro when they experienced it they will know, mahirap po. And of course before the show, magfofocus ka baka sasabihin nila 'Ay, isnabero naman si Ely. Ay, isnabero naman si Bamboo. Ay ganito si Chito.' Hindi po. You get a good show kasi the musicians prepared for the show. Di ba minsan nagwa-warm up y'ung mga guitar player, y'ung mga drummer nag stretching, di ba?. Kailangan po kasi yun eh para maganda y'ung show.”

Rico considers the fact that everything that has a beginning must have an end. So does he bring this truth unto his practical music making. He asserts, “yeah, definitely! It already happened. And it can happen anytime soon. This could be my last album. S'yempre, you will never know.” However, nothing to get trouble with if you enjoyed every drop of what you are doing – and rationally you are happy with it. “The important thing is to be happy with what you're doing. Music is important to me, I love music but it's not the only thing that is important.”


TICK TACK TALK

Do you keep your rock stardom in check by grounding your life in reality?
No, what I'm doing is a career. I know that I am a human being like everyone else. Some people have other jobs and this is my job. Some other people have other careers and this is my career. So I see myself as ordinary person. Katulad nito kumakain ng palabok (laughs).

Do you occasionally lose control when you’re singing? Not get out of control, but you just get so transported into the song?
Oh yeah! No control at all. When I play music I surrender to the music. So I'm not in control.

Do you have anxiety every time you release an album?
Wala naman. I have zero expectations for this album labas ko lang, if people like it, okey good. If people don't okay lang, I'll pack my bags again and do something else. I was convinced naman to come back.

What sort on a new music do you enjoy? New music?
No particular kind of music. When I'm doing an album I try my best not to listen to any thing else. I just listened to myself.

It seems as if you’re always doing new things and reinventing yourself. What keeps you moving and motivated?
Life. Y'ung motivation mo you get it from life.

With your extensive experience in dealing with the recording industry, what, for lack of a better phrase, words of wisdom might you have for up and coming players ?
Get a good lawyer that you trust. Para you know what you're getting into. Especially for the young ones, ipapabasa mo lang naman eh. Tapos i-explain sa'yo. Tama y'un para walang heartache kung sino man ang ka-trabaho mo, you know what the deal is.

I know over the years you spend some time working with talented musicians, what is something unique about working with them?
You know, working with Rivermaya alone. All those great names; Perf de Castro, Bamboo Mañalac, Nathan Azarcon, Kakoi Legaspi, Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar and Japs Sergio. I just feel really humbled. I'm very thankful that I've got a chance to work with some of the best musicians to ever come from this music scene, from our country. They're really fantastic musicians and I've learned a lot from them. Everything na kung ano man ang alam ko sa music ngayon, malaki d'un I've learned it from my band mates.

How do you feel about getting older and playing to younger audience?
They still come to the shows. They still buy the CDs. So, I don't think it matters. Apparently, it doesn't. Siguro y'ung younger bands may older people din naman watching them. And I listen to the music from younger groups. I don't think ages is a factor kung sino y'ung fans mo.

Other than "play music", what do you do to stay grounded and focused?
Well, your loved ones, your family and friends, you spend time with them. And then y'ung prayer it works.

How important is religion to you as an individual?
It's very important to me. All my big decisions in life I prayed about. Right now, tapos na ako sa music eh. And ngayon na bumalik ako and I'm doing it for fun, everytime I received a positive feedback regarding my work or regarding my music, I always say a prayer right away.

Are you the type of person who go to church every Sunday?
I try my best to go every Sundays. Sometimes I missed mass but I try my best. But right now instantly when I received praise for my work or kudos, I instantly say a short prayer lang just to say thank you.

What is your day-to-day life like now?
Ngayon nga medyo nagiging hectic ulit, hindi na ako sanay. Dati sanay ako sa ganito ngayon hindi na. Nasanay ako sa parelax- relax na lang. So medyo nagiging hectic na, ayoko na ulit (laughs). No regrets I'm happy with the way I lived my life before. I'm very happy and I think its because I did what I did. All these blessings naman, nabigay sa akin. Except ngayon lang I tried to balance everything, hindi y'un puro work lang.

What kind of legacy would you like to leave?
Just my music. If people can forget about me but remember my songs I'll be happy.


ALBUM TALKS: 'YOUR UNIVERSE'

His making records again after all those days that his career had been confined into uneasy waters on his disbandment with his previous band. Nonetheless, like a real man he stand obstinate and show off his real thing in music.

Rico sees and seize the opportunity and he made some. “There's no single prompt, it's just people talking to me because when I left the scene there's a point that I didn't really.”

It's a matter of choice that made things happen for Rico Blanco. He could very well pleased making his records if he wants so, anytime anywhere he want it. What a must for him is that one should enjoy the fruition of what one is doing with no remorse afterwards of course. “P'wede ko gawin ulit in a couple of years. 'Di lang naman 'yan ang p'wede kong gawin eh, marami pa. P'wedeng mas simpleng buhay. And I was writing songs for myself the whole time I was away. Sometimes I will record them, sometimes I won't. Sometimes I just make a song I'll just not write it down, it doesn't matter. Parang to me y'ung importante your doing something that makes you happy,” elaborated.

He further detailed that you have such much things to chose from on top of the silver platter. Just gotta make some manly choice in life here. “And kung hindi ka na happy sa work mo p'wede ka naman lumipat ng ibang work. Bakit sa ibang tao p'wede y'un? Kapag sinabi mong 'eh cashier ka eh, bakit ka mag ca-call center, hindi naman di ba? P'wede naman di ba? Basketball player ka bakit ka magne-negosyo? Eh ayoko na mag- basketball eh. So I mean bakit hindi p'wede sa music? P'wede din,” says him with firm conviction.

He's even relax and as free as the roaring tide, as it might be a familiar song, in recording his songs, “it took several months kasi hindi ko siya ginawa ng tuloy-tuloy eh. Papasok ako ng studio tapos magbabakasyon, papasok ako ng studio, magbabakasyon ulit (laughs). So relax lang ganun din sa trabaho, walang pressure, he explained.

Though he on his slack time where he himself maneuver his schedule, he did it clean though. “I told Warner that this time around I wanna do things on my own phase. Of course I will cooperate with them as much as I can. Because I want them also to be happy. And I recognized that. And I want it naman na hindi ako napapahiya sa label. So granted na yun, alam namin y'un nung nag-usap kami. They will give me the space if I want to. Take things easy if I need to. There's no pressure for me to achieve or do anything. I'm just doing this for fun, he asserts.

He runs passive through active. He never dared the press or th medio bout things, since the iron's still hot. Nevertheless, his eager as much to answer things, with cautious thoughts o'er head. “Actually hindi ko alam kung anong klase ng press. Kasi hindi ako masyadong nakikialam d'yan. But I wanted to give the press and people from media the material, the music. So nag-perform at nagsalita na lang ako in between songs. And saw some members of the press, they were enjoying the music. Hindi, ako ang nag-volunteer ng mga things that I wanted to talk about. It's something that hasn't been tried before. And I'm very thankful that Warner was open to that idea. And it worked, everyone's happy and the presses are happy, their singing along.”

Since he lost his former gig member he has to scout new session musicians which he presently enjoy especially their every scheduled rehearsals. “Meron for certain gigs for now halimbawa 'yung group na ito. Pero kapag may special show na iba ang requirements magre-rehearse. Ang daming rehearsal at na-eenjoy ko naman kasi nag-iimprove ako. So maraming-maraming rehearsal tapos maganda dun kasi although hindi makapag-commit sa akin fully dahil s'yempre may iba rin silang ginagawa, dinadala naman nila y'ung flavour nila d'un sa music. Y'ung song na maririnig mo sa album kapag tinugtog ng set of musicians ganito y'ung sounds kapag ibang group, iba na namang sounds.”

Plust the fact that his session members brings the aroma of his music to where they might be doing music performance afterwards, it give him a high spirit then. “Ang ganda kasi parang nagpapalit ng damit y'ung tao, hindi siya araw-araw y'un at y'un ang t-shirt 'di ba? Basta masaya, basta nag-eenjoy ako. Basta kapag magre-rehearse ka tapos iba na naman ang ka-rehearse ko, na-eexcite naman ulit ako.”

Comes concert it did payed back. Just being resourceful gives them the opportunity to give both CDs and tickets a place in every ones hands. “May tickets, hindi siya free show sa labas. We had really a nice place and initially press launch siya. Naisip ng label na kuha tayo ng venue na makakapunta din ang fans who want to watch the concert. So as a bonus to the fans, kapag bumili sila ng tickets may libre silang CD or the other way around. Kapag wala kapang CD kapag bumili ka ng CD may libre kang ticket. Kasi we try to do new things here. We're not going to do things just because y'un na y'ung ginagawa dati. With every step here, we sit down and sometimes I asks them why are we doing this? What is the purpose? Ah, kung iyan ang purpose, is this the best way to achieve that?”

If there’s a particular song on the album that best describe what you feel and who you are at the moment, what is it? At the moment?
'Your Universe'', y'un lang. I'm very thankful for all of my blessings.

Where did you get your inspiration when you wrote Your Universe?
How I was feeling that time. That how I was feeling when I wrote that song.

How long were you in the studio for this record?
I don't remember, I'm not so sure eh. Feeling ko baka 5 months ito or 6 months pero in and out. Minsan papasok ako ng studio for this week, isang araw lang, next week na ulit (laughs). Then mawawala ako ng 3 weeks mag- a- out of the country ako. Tapos babalik ako, mag-rerecord nang 2 days, balik na naman.

Can you tell us about the production like how they arranged and put it together etc?
There was no regular formula. Parang I was doing things...how do I say this? (thinking), parang 'bahala na'. Walang every song ganito ni-record..lahat ng songs ganito or unahin natin lahat ng ganito tapos sunod y'ung ganyan...wala talagang pattern. Bahala na, its like how I was doing music when I wasn't a professional. When I was just playing at home trying to make music, ganun lang.

What were some of the influences in the creation of this record?
Dito? Life. Siguro may insights y'un y'ung pinaka-influence ko dito. Siguro the music that I grew up listening to pero naghalo-halo na sila, hindi ko na alam kung saan.

When your formed your new band now didn’t you have difficulty finding the line-up?
Well over the years marami na naman akong nami-meet na mga musicians. At halos lahat napapanuod ko rin y'ung ibang bands. Parang, 'Wow, ang galing naman nito!' ganun lang.

Are you not having a hard time working with them?
Magagaling sila, kapag rehearse mo, mismo na eh. Tsaka walang mali, kapag live n'yo kung ano ang tinugtog n'yo, y'ung ang tama. Y'ung tama kasi y'un y'ung version nila, y'un y'ung interpretation nila eh.

Why should people want to check your album?
Well if they’re curious (laughs) or maybe if they like some of the songs that they're already heard . May iba pang kanta. Mayroon sigurong isang journey y'ung album pero iba-iba y'ung mga lugar na mapupuntahan mo. So, if Yugto took you to one place and Your Universe took you to another place then there's another places to visit, if you check out this album

You’ve released your solo full length album under Warner Music. Why Warner over the other labels?
Before I left we were with Viva (Records). We sort off Rivermaya promised Warner that they’ll be the next label. There's an agreement that Warner will be the next home of Rivermaya. So when I left Rivermaya I felt naman na I wasn't obliged to sign with Warner. But parang out of honor na lang I didn't even talk to other record labels. Even if they expressed their interests in my services. So y'un, I honored y'ung parang ganung promise kahit hindi na ako part ng Rivermaya. And besides Warner also supported my need for a vacation.

You ever crossed your mind that there might be conflict since Rivermaya is also with Warner?
Hindi ko naisip. Kasi ang pagkaka-kilala ko with Warner is multi-national corporation. And they're very professional and I think they can take care to all of their kids. And they proven it naman.

How did you challenge yourself on this solo record compared when you’re in a band?
Wala, I didn't challenge myself at all. I'm just having fun.

Is there any song in particular that you're really proud of writing for this solo album?
Actually the whole album itself. I'm proud that I put together. I'm really happy na naka-tsamba ako (laughs). Feeling ko talaga naka-tsamba ako na itong 10 songs na ito parang 'Wow!' Pati y'ung pagka-ayos ng sequences, arrangements ng mga kanta, parang tsamba, kaya tuwang-tuwa ako (laughs).

Coming out with your solo album are you getting the sense that things are really going to blow up for you?
I don't really think about that. Of course I want the album and my career to fair well naman. Pero hindi ako masyadong pressured eh. Gusto ko lang din maging happy y'ung Warner, 'coz they've trusted me. Hindi sila naki-alam sa creative process. Hindi sila naki-alam sa recording kung anong hingin kong bakasyon or kung anong musicians, ganyan nand'yan sila, they've been very supportive. Siguro kung mayroon akong reason to wish that the album does really well, it's to reward their trust and faith in me as a musician, as an artist.

Did you change things up a bit or experiment with different things to get a slightly different sounds?
Lagi naman ako nagta-try ng things na hindi ko pa nata-try before, so yes. Hindi naman ako nag-e-experiment for experiments sake. Gusto ko lang magkaroon ng things na hindi ko pa nata-try before kasi maiksi lang ang buhay. Hindi ka naman forever mabibigyan ng opportunity to record an album. So why will I repeat some thing that I already did?

How prepared are you at this particular moment about your fans reactions, friends and especially your former band mates?
I think I'm pretty well prepared naman. I surrender naman everything to God eh you know. I do my best and I try my best to do the right things. At the end of the day, you can't please everyone. Pero kapag marami kang mapasaya eh di thank God di ba. Bonus y'un, parang ganun.

How was your first 'ever' solo gig?
Masaya yung show. And nakakataba ng puso y'ung response ng mga tao na never ko pa siya na feel before na ganitong klaseng init ng pagtanggap. Hindi ko ma-explain. I am very very very thankful.

Any plans on playing for free?
Actually kung hindi lang tag-ulan n'ung mag-launch ako, gusto ko talaga open at libre y'un. Pero magkakaroon din naman ng maraming shows sa future na ganyan, I'm sure (smiles).

Was there a particular person that convinces you to come back to the music scene?
Wala naman. Mostly my loved ones and some fellow musicians. Pero I wouldn't say na pinilit ako. Maybe they give me some wisdom. They have me when I was thinking about what to do, but the decision was mine. I'm not the type of person who will say that I'm doing something because someone else told me to do so.

Nowadays where do you find inspiration for your songwriting?
Actually now I really stop writing. Because I've been writing for quite a while for this album. So right after I finish the album I stop writing, pahinga muna.

Who are the artists you find yourself returning to again-and-again?
Sa case ko kasi medyo unique. I've worked with one band for like half of my life. I think there are a lot of other musicians who I want to work with also. I'm excited that I'll get to work with more musicians. In fact sa album na ito, I was happy because I've got to work with a lot of musicians. I'm excited about the future.


MESSAGE SENT

Dahil sa Icons n'yo na issue n'yo, gusto ko lang sabihin sa lahat na I feel very, very, very honored to be mentioned alongside these Icons who are musicians whose works I really admired, sina Ely, Bamboo and Chito. And more importantly they're the people that I respect. So, I'm very honored that you put me there beside them. Which I wouldn't thought that I would someday mentioned be. And I hope the Filipino music fans can appreciate the different kinds of music from these different musicians offers.

Anything you weren't able to say that the fans want to know?
To my fans, thank you for all your support and to the 'real fans' continue being respectful to other musicians. I'm really proud on how you handle yourselves and I’m proud to have you as my fans. Y'un ang kailangan ng industry natin, tulong-tulong tayo.

Do you want to say something to the fans out there?
Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, your support is overwhelming and sometimes I ever wonder if I deserved it.


RECKONING HIS PREVIOUS BAND

Rico takes a bow with his experience with Rivermaya. This is his playground where he scampered the field of his youthfulness in music. Rivermaya opens door for him to greater and wider horizons, “A lot. I learned everything that I know now from my time in Rivermaya. So, I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for Rivermaya.”

During the searing news of his disbandment from Rivermaya, press people are getting even with it picking him from everywhere that's seemingly pissing-off.

“I understand where they're coming from. Because I've been in Rivermaya for a long time. So I think that's natural for the press to ask,” he clarifies. Though he's choosy talking to people. Obvious, what are you to talk about if you’re not familiar with ones work. “I'm proud with Rivermaya. To be honest, I don't do interviews with people who are not familiar with my work. Because what are we going to talk about? We're only going to talk about hearsay, rumors and nonsense. So if you're familiar with my work, my music not necessarily the new album but maybe my work from the past, the kind of musician I am, they've seen one or two shows or maybe something to talk about. But if you don't know me entirely, they just know me lang from sabi-sabi, then sayang y'ung time nila. H'wag na lang, pahinga na lang nila, mas gusto ko, music press.”

Summing up all things, what is most import is when you learn from what you are doing. The dumbest person in world would deny. Every step is a learning process, if you allow yourself to learn.

Rico thinks after he leaves Rivermaya, “I guess y'ung na-discover ko na meron akong gift sa music. Before naman Rivermaya hindi ko naman alam na meron gift na binigay sa akin. Y'un siguro y'ung pinaka important eh. Parang na-realized ko na 'hey, this is something na binigay sa'yo ng Diyos, gamitin mo.'”

What you gonna be missing about Rivermaya and your 14 years of stayed in the business?
I was going to say y'ung fans eh, but they're still there. I still see them on the shows. So, nothing. I mean, matagal ko nang na-experience y'un eh, mas excited ako ngayon sa future. So, I don't really think about missing, nakatingin ako sa future.

Do you have any problems with people not letting you move on and do new things and being hung-up on Rivermaya?
Okey lang naman. Hindi mo talaga maaalis kasi d'un ako nagsimula eh. So, I feel honored na lang na everytime people bring up Rivermaya parang, 'yeah, I was part of that.' I'm proud na I was part of that group. That's how I feel when people say Rivermaya.

Wala naman akong problema. Actually very supportive naman sila (fans) on what I'm doing now. And kung meron mang kaunti, I respect them, its their way lang siguro to express kung gaano nila ka gusto y'ung music na ginawa namin dati. It's very nostalgic and I understand. Because I look at on some bands that I wish also like this, I wish like that. Hindi mo maaalis sa tao y'un. As long as they're very respectful I'm very happy about that.

How are you with the rest of Rivermaya now?
Parang when I left it wasn't really good. So haven't seen them since. Hindi pa kami nagtatagpo sa isang gig.

♫♫♫