Rico J Puno

I grew up in the 70s. As a seven year old child, I had so much confidence.

I wanted any adult in the house to take me to a near radio station because I wanted to join the weekly amateur singing contest.

My chosen piece was the current popular song on the radio at that time, 'May Bukas Pa' (There's still tomorrow) by Rico J. Puno. Really loved his raspy singing voice.


Image from Pelikula, Atbp.

Nobody coached me in singing. I didn't even know if I sounded good nor if I was in tune. I just knew that I could sing and reach the high notes. I would sing all my conversations if I could. That was me as a child.

One Sunday, I bathed early in the afternoon. Dried my hair, and rolled it into pink plastic rollers. The singing contest was at four. I was dressed by three, and all ready for the singing battle.

Past four o'clock and no one was willing to take me to the radio station. I guess my determination to be an amateur child singer slowly died that day. It slowly came alive when I was in second year high school in Miss Bijud's Social Studies class. More about it in future posts.

In the house, I love listening to Original Pilipino Music (OPM). I love singing them too.
In fact, I learned that the neighbors loved to listen when I sang while I was in my vegetable garden or when I was at the swing set. I will tell you about it in future posts as well. This story with the neighbors is funny.

On many occasions when I tag along with the mister on his record buying trips, he'd scan the new vinyl record releases, while I'd be in the international bins looking for OPM records, particularly Rico J Puno, Asin, Kuh Ledesma, Pepe Smith, Florante, Sampaguita, Hotdog, Eva Eugenio, VST and Co., Boyfriends, Apo Hiking Society, Marco Sison, Imelda Papin, Victor Wood, Yoyoy Villame, Sharon Cuneta, Miriam Pantig, Ivy Violan, Dulce, Pilita Corales, Hagibis, and so much more.

So far, we are not too successful with the hunt, and we are not giving up. As Rico J's song lyric says, 'There is still tomorrow.'

Rest in peace, Rico J. Puno. 
February 13, 1953 - October 30, 2018