Cheyenne Suarez

Rico Blanco bids a beautiful goodbye in new song 'Paalam'

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K9QjXNyIL2g??si=9bmQv39Crt4E_PD0autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>MANILA --  After years in the making, the moment has finally come for Rico Blanco&#x27;s newest song, &quot;Paalam.&quot;  </p><p>A beautiful farewell song, “Paalam” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.</p><p>&quot;Paalam&quot; contemplates the emotional weight of parting, whether from a person, a chapter, a place, or a former self. </p><p>In Blanco’s hands, goodbye becomes not only an act of release and reawakening, but also a gift that offers clarity, grounding, and ultimately, healing.</p><p>“Out of all the songs I’ve released, &#x27;Paalam&#x27; is the song that took me the longest to finish,” Blanco admitted via a press release. “Some songs I finish in minutes, days, or weeks, but this one has been a work in progress for many, many years.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754028446702PAALAM COVER_SPOTIFY.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="OPM singer-songwriter Rico Blanco. Handout" style="width:950px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">OPM singer-songwriter Rico Blanco. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Paalam&quot; was originally inspired by a former bandmate&#x27;s departure in the &#x27;90s, but over the years it changed and gained deeper meaning after the death of Blanco&#x27;s brother.</p><p>Blanco even revealed that for years, he hesitated to record the song, waiting for the right singer to come along.</p><p>With its kundiman arrangements and intricate orchestral builds, the song taps into something powerful and primal, as if unlocking something personal from Blanco without completely giving away the story. </p><p>“Production-wise, I always knew how I wanted the song to sound,” shared Blanco. “I wanted it to have a timeless arrangement, or some would say a bit traditional.”</p><p>&quot;Paalam&quot; follows the renewed success of Blanco solo catalog, particularly “Your Universe.” </p><p>Before becoming a solo artist, Blanco started as part of the OPM band Rivermaya. </p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmCMRO4OOiM?&amp;pp=0gcJCccJAYcqIYzvautoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1nG3lZUc-Xs?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A beautiful farewell song, “Paalam” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.</p>

A beautiful farewell song, “Paalam” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.