LIKE THE total entertainer he was, death is not enough to stop Rico J. Puno.
The concert which he was supposed to perform in before his death on Oct. 30 will go on as scheduled — Nov. 23 at the Theatre at Solaire stage — though this time, as a celebration of his life and his songs.
“I know my Papa will say — the show must go on!” Tosca Puno, Mr. Puno’s daughter, was quoted as saying in a press release.
The concert, which was supposed to be the second of the “Music and Laughter” concert series titled Sana Tatlo ang Puso Ko, not has a subtitle: A Tribute Show for Rico J. Puno.
“I just love how the audience laugh and fall off their seats from our jokes. Only Rico and I can pull something that naughty and still appear respectable after the show,” singer and comedian Giselle Sanchez was quoted as saying in the press release.
“I am so happy that so many stars have agreed to join this musicale because this is exactly how Rico imagined it to be. He had so many ideas and was so excited about our concert and he told us this will be our biggest concert in 2018. Rico, we promise not to let you down. This will still be our biggest concert in 2018 and you are the biggest part of it. We love you, Corics,” she said, referring to Mr. Puno by his nickname.
The original show was supposed to be a concert/comedy show with Mr. Puno performing with seasoned singer/comedians Giselle Sanchez and Marissa Sanchez.
Now, as a tribute, the show will also feature performances by other OPM (Original Pilipino Music) greats — Marco Sison, Nonoy Zuniga, Nanette Inventor, and Eric Nicolas — with the special participation of Mr. Puno’s children: Tosca and Rox Puno.
“We expect that all who will participate in the tribute show will deliver a very nice interpretation of Rico’s songs. I will surely miss his performance as a total entertainer and his jokes,” Gerry Matias, Mr. Puno’s long-time musical director and who is also working on this show, said.
Mr. Puno, whose career spanned four decades, first caught the public’s attention in 1973 when he released his first single, “The Way We Were.”
He then went on to become a prolific concert artist, holding regular sold-out concerts in Quezon City’s Araneta Coliseum — the biggest performance venue at the time — and going on tours of the US.
He was also known for cracking tongue-in-cheek, often off-color, jokes which led him to be called the “Total Entertainer.”
Some of his hits include “May Bukas Pa,” “Macho Gwapito,” “The Way We Were,” and “Magkasuyo Buong Gabi,” among others.
Music and Laughter: A Show Tribute to Rico J. Puno will be held on Nov. 23, 8 p.m., at the Theatre in Solaire Resort and Casino, Parañaque City. Tickets, which range in price from P800 to P8,800, are available via TicketWorld (891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph). — ZBC

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