Filipino music icon Rico J. Puno dies at 65

OPM (Original Pinoy Music) legend Rico J. Puno passed away earlier today at 65 years old.

Anna Puno, Rico’s sister-in-law, confirmed his passing in an Instagram post.

“I am seized with deep emotional shock when I found out that our OPM King – Kuya Rico J. Puno, has passed away this morning (Manila time),” Anna wrote.

 

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I am seized with deep emotional shock when I found out that our OPM King – Kuya Rico J. Puno has passed away this morning (manila time). Numbed with grief, I would like to call on all entertainers in the OPM Industry as well as his worldwide fans to stop for a moment and say a prayer to one of the most respected singers in the country. I cannot help but say it was serendipitous that Starmedia prepared a solo 40th Anniversary concert for him and a US tour with the OPM stalwarts and colleagues just recently. Little did I know that this is his Final Bow in the live entertainment world. We will forever miss the TOTAL ENTERTAINER…but his songs will forever cherish in our hearts.

A post shared by Anna Puno (@annapuno) on Oct 29, 2018 at 1:13pm PDT

“Numbed with grief, I would like to call on all entertainers in the OPM industry as well as his worldwide fans to stop for a moment and say a prayer to one of the most respected singers in the country,” she added.

ABS-CBN News reported that Rico J. died at 1:56am. He passed away due to heart failure, reported CNN Philippines. He checked himself in St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City yesterday when he had difficulty breathing after a gig.

The veteran singer previously had open heart surgery in 2015 and underwent a procedure earlier this year for the insertion of a pacemaker, ABS-CBN News reported. He was also hospitalized earlier this month due to diabetes complications.

Rico J. rose to stardom in the 70s and is best known for hits such as May Bukas Pa, Kapalaran, Macho Gwapito, Sorry Na Pwede Ba, and Magkasuyo Buong Gabi, which are now all OPM classics.