Ronnabelle Lora

Rico Blanco marks three new milestones in his career: ‘Thanks for enjoying my music!’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>After launching his newest business venture Motel Mambo in La Union earlier this year, singer and songwriter Rico Blanco has been busy with various things both in and outside the music industry.</p><p>The musical <em>Liwanag Sa Dilim</em> by 9 Works Theatrical features most of his well-loved songs and solidifies his status as an icon in the industry. A recipient of awards from various prestigious award-giving bodies in the country, Rico was recognized with the Dangal Ng Musikang Pilipino at the 36th Awit Awards for his contribution to the Philippine music scene.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHF5_x7zcZi/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A638649.099999994%2C%22ls%22%3A638476.799999997%2C%22le%22%3A638485.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/6/rico-blanco-attends-liwanag-sa-dilim-musical-calls-it-a-hell-of-a-story-0119"><strong>READ: Rico Blanco attends ‘Liwanag sa Dilim’ musical, calls it a ‘hell of a story’<br/></strong></a></div><p>Last March 12, Rico shared another proud moment in his career as he celebrated three more milestones in music. In his Instagram post, he wrote, “Thankful for some fresh new milestones 🙏</p><p>&quot;3M streams &#x27;Kisapmata&#x27;</p><p>&quot;80M streams &#x27;You&#x27;ll Be Safe Here&#x27;</p><p>&quot;90M streams &#x27;Antukin&#x27;</p><p>&quot;Thanks for enjoying my music. I&#x27;m sorry that work on new recordings hit a speed bump due to shift in personal priorities. Promise I&#x27;m trying my best to get back soon. I appreciate your patience and understanding.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/1/10/rico-blanco-just-launched-a-hotel-in-la-union-here-s-a-look-1424"><strong>READ: Rico Blanco just launched a hotel in La Union: Here&#x27;s a look<br/></strong></a></div><p>Rico got his start in the music industry as one of the founding members of the popular &#x27;90s Pinoy rock band Rivermaya which he started along with Bamboo Manalac,  Mark Escueta, Nathan Azarcon, and Perf de Castro. He is credited with writing many of Rivermaya’s most iconic songs like &quot;Ulan&quot; (co-written with Azarcon), &quot;214,&quot; “Isang Bandila,” and &quot;Awit ng Kabataan.”</p><p>Even though his name is one of great recall in the OPM world, Rico shared some insight on how tough it is to work in music in the country especially during the pandemic during a Fireside live chat interview in 2020.</p><p>“To be a musician in the Philippines is tough, it&#x27;s not like in bigger markets where you can make a living just releasing recorded material. Dito, even the biggest recording artists have to rely on their shows. Most musicians really rely on the live circuit, even the big artists, to sustain their needs. &#x27;Yung iba na may day job pa, parehas wala: wala nang day job, wala pang gigs. It&#x27;s been tough for everyone in the music industry income-wise. We don&#x27;t know what the future will be.&quot;</p><p>After going solo in 2008, Rico has branched out into becoming a record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. His hit songs &quot;Kisapmata,&quot; “Himala,” ”Hinahanap-hanap Kita,&quot; ”You&#x27;ll Be Safe Here” are just some of the heavily used songs in the “LIwanag Sa Dilim” musical.</p>

<p>Singer and songwriter Rico Blanco proudly shares reaching new milestones in his career with three of his well-loved songs.</p>

Singer and songwriter Rico Blanco proudly shares reaching new milestones in his career with three of his well-loved songs.