By Nestor Cuartero
JUST A THOUGHT: Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost.
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RICO J. BACK ON TRACK: Looking good after a recent heart by-pass surgery, Rico J. Puno said he’s not about to throw in the towel, not just yet. In the last two years, the singer-actor known for his quick wit and inimitable singing style has had three episodes of hospitalization, all of them life-challenging.
Fact is, the durable entertainer is bracing for a 2-night Valentine concert series in February in tandem with his contemporaries in the local OPM scene. Rico and his contemporaries date back to the 1970s, the golden age of Original Pilipino Music.
On Feb. 14, for instance, the quartet of Rico Puno, Imelda Papin, Rey Valera and Claire de la Fuente topbill Timeless OPM at the Newport Performing Arts Center in Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.
On Feb. 17, Rico will be joined by Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera, and Marco Sison in a similarly themed
show at Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.
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TOUR OF THE U.S.: On top of these, proof that there’s no stopping Rico J., he’s also enlisted in a 7-city tour across the United States in April with the same OPM balladeers. All these shows are produced by Ana Puno.
During a recent media conference, the everlasting entertainer joked that the first time he felt dizzy and seemingly out of control, he thought he was pregnant!
The remark drew, as usual, thunders of laughter from the media. It is the same way with Rico on stage, when he is in his element.
Seriously, he said, ‘Siguro, kulang pa ang kontribusyon ko sa OPM kaya binuhay pa ako ng Diyos.’
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IMELDA THE LEADER: On the other hand, Imelda Papin, the country’s acknowledged Jukebox Queen, thanked the local Actors Guild, which she now heads, for supporting her many projects.
After enrolling the members of the guild with Social Security System, she has closed a deal with PhilHealth, giving health insurance to actors, especially the little people in the industry.
