Rico J. once more rules the Makati bar scene

There is no one we could possibly bill as the country’s Ultimate Macho Gwapito than Rico J. Puno whom we have known for what seemed like forever, when we would hie over to his gigs at the Corix Bar in the late ’80s to listen to his hit songs that included among others Kapalaran, Buhat, Lupa, May Bukas Pa, Damdamin, Ang Tao’y Marupok, Magkasuyo Buong Gabi and Macho Gwapito which eventually became his signature song. He had an inimitable style as singer-entertainer par excellence, what with his green jokes that were part and parcel of all his shows.

When we heard he had moved venues, we decided to visit and found it easily enough with the Chico Rico sign high above the entrance which carried large posters of current and coming attractions in deep-blue lighting. The new bar was a stone’s throw from Corix and since it was only 7 p.m. and Rico had not yet arrived, we decided to enter and size up the joint. It had a few people having dinner of all kinds of fattening choices and drinking beer. We are offered the same but preferred to wait till the action had begun. At around 8:30, the crowd had started coming in, a sure sign that the man of the hour was nearby. We went out to the street to catch Rico J. parking his spanking-new Porsche by the sidewalk.

Rico asked us what we were doing outside, and we said, we wanted a few minutes of his time. Once inside, we were certain he would be expected to give everyone an audience. We sat with him on the chairs under the posters and asked why he had moved from his old location. He said he felt everyone needed a change of atmosphere. He continued by stating that everything that needed attention has to pass through him although he does ask opinions from others. He prepares the line-up of bands from Tuesday to Friday. Tuesdays are for Joey’s Mailbox and Jazz; Wednesdays for Piano and Voice with Ali; Thursdays for the Music Making Company and songs of the ’60s; and Fridays for his brother Rox Puno alternating with Joey Abando of the Boyfriends. Mondays and Saturdays are for special occasions.

The interior of Chico Rico is large and comfortable with a smoking area separated from the performance area. Pointing to the padded ceiling, he said he had to put it in after some neighbors complained that they were bothered by the loud music. “Mahal yan,” he added. He asked us what we thought of the deep-blue lighting outside and we said it was different from the usual colors.

We asked him if he misses the heyday of the “Greatest Hitmakers” barkada of Marco Sison, Rey Valera, Hajji Alejandro and Nonoy Zuñiga, and he smiled while reminiscing. “During those years we were out of the country for at least eight years, with more time spent outside than in our own country. We gave shows all over the world, Russia lang yata ang hindi namin napuntahan.”

Reminiscing time over, Rico excused himself and went table-hopping wherein every table had friends who, at times, are present every night. Rico said that anyone and everyone can be found here at Chico Rico, from businessmen to councilors and vice-presidents to women out for a night with friends. Many, like us, stay the night mainly for the music and especially for the jamming from Rico J when he would sing only a couple of his hit songs. On the night of our visit, Rico sang Just Once, Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, Sorry Na Pwede Ba and Kahit Isang Saglit. We heard comments from the women behind us. They came only to hear Rico J sing and were apparently content with three songs.

We said goodbye knowing full well we’d be back for more of the fun, more of the green jokes and perhaps the song Macho Gwapito this time around. Meantime, Rico J. followers may be interested in tuning in to Home Sweetie Home on ABS-CBN, a family sitcom starring John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga as newlyweds, and Rico J as John Lloyd’s dad, who like Lloydie, has a way with women. Doesn’t this sound a lot like a teleserye imitating real life?

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