Filipino music legend Rico J. Puno died on October 30 at the age of 65 due to cardiac arrest, as confirmed by his long-time manager Norma Japitana.
Japitana said in an interview with dzMM that Puno was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig for his regular checkup, but he was advised to get confined in the hospital after the diagnosis.
“Dinala siya for a health executive check-up. Dinala siya sa St. Luke’s,” Japitana said. “Nung nandun na, sinabi na wag nang paalisin. Pina-admit na siya. And then, this morning [Ocotber 30]… 1:56 AM siya namatay.”
Japitana said that Puno’s death was unexpected since he did not feel anything different before he was confined in the hospital.
“Wala naman eh. Para bang regular checkup lang. I’ve been talking to him, wala naman. Mabiro pa nga,” she said.
However, Japitana did say that Puno has undergone several medical operations in the past like an open heart surgery in 2015 and a placement of pacemaker earlier this year.
In another interview with PhilStar.com, Japitana remembered Puno as a “generous man”.
“He called up to greet me on my birthday this month,” she said.
Puno started his career in the music industry in the mid-70s. He is known for being the voice behind some of the most iconic OPM songs such as “Macho Gwapito”, “Kapalaran,” “Buhat,” and “May Bukas Pa”.
He was set to hold a concert on November 23 at The Theater in Solaire with Marissa Sanchez and Giselle Sanchez.
After reports about Puno’s passing spread, several celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to the well-known singer who is known for promoting original Filipino music.
Some of the personalities in the entertainment industry who remembered Puno and expressed their condolences to the departed singer’s family include Lea Salonga, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Lani Misalucha, Mark Bautista, Jessa Zaragoza, Jenine Desiderio, Klarisse De Guzman, Bailey May, and Dolly Anne Carvajal.
US-based publication New York Times also paid tribute to Puno who it described as a “soul music pioneer in the Philippines”.
In an article written by Mike Ives, New York Times remembered Puno as one of the “biggest stars of the glory days of Filipino music” who helped “forge” how OPM is known today.
Photo credits: Joey San Andres via Inquirer.net
