“Honor your commitment,” former Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco said on Twitter yesterday.
The Filipino singer-songwriter expressed his dismay and called out artists and managers who flake on small gigs for bigger ones.
He said in the tweet: “Listen artists and managers. When [you] confirm a gig, no matter how small, [you] have a responsibility to HONOR [your] commitment even if another gig comes along later on.”
Blanco was the frontman of Filipino band Rivermaya, which gained popularity in the Philippines and Southeast Asia in the 90s and 2000s. They’re known for their hits “Elesi,” “Kisapmata,” “214,” and “Balisong.”
listen artists and managers. when u confirm a gig, no matter how small, u have a responsibilty to HONOR ur commitment even if a another gig comes along later on. its a very small scene – ditching a small gig 4 a bigger 1 is very unprofessional and makes u look really cheap.
— bestfriend korics (@ricoblanco) March 25, 2019
He then replied to Twitter user @reciyrseraphim and shared how he gave up the opportunity to tour the United States and the United Kingdom, and record with American rock band Wheatus in 2005, just to perform in a Southeast Asian Games gig.
“[I]t was painfully hard to fathom and accept but [I] did it anyway. [I] have not flaked on a single gig/guesting [for] 26 [years] and counting,” Blanco said.
“[It’s] about principles,” he added.
i gave up the opportunity of touring the US & UK and recording with @wheatus in 05 to come home and do one SEA Games gig. yes it was painfully hard to fathom and accept but i did it anyway. i have not flaked on a single gig/guesting 26 yrs and counting. its about principles.
— bestfriend korics (@ricoblanco) March 25, 2019
His first tweet garnered over 1,900 likes and 200 retweets as of this article’s posting. Netizens who came across the post agreed with him.
@joesarte823 said: “Exactly. Word of honor is very important. It reflects on one’s professionalism.”
https://twitter.com/joesarte823/status/1110360959250370560
@_AmbiVHERt agreed in the form of the 100 percent emoji.
https://twitter.com/_AmbiVHERt/status/1110165637203030016
@MarleneAcorda wrote in Filipino: “This is why this man has been my idol ever since, he knows how to value [things]. He’s so supportive, even to new faces in the singing industry, keep it up idol! I agree with you.”
https://twitter.com/MarleneAcorda/status/1110326343252623360
Wheatus also checked in on Blanco and asked, “Everything ok bud?”
Blanco replied: “Yes sir! Hang soon.”
https://twitter.com/ricoblanco/status/1110139105378074624
What are your thoughts on Blanco’s two-cents? Leave a comment below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
