Hailing from Pacita, San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, Rico Blanco was an active youth leader and became the founding Sangguniang Kabataan chairman in his hometown. His mother is Purita Granados-Blanco and his father is Rene Aldeguer Blanco. He has 3 siblings Heart Blanco-Elizon, Rey "King" Blanco and Patrice Blanco.
He graduated grade school at O. B. Montessori Center, high school at the Benedictine Abbey (San Beda College Alabang) and finished his Management Economics degree at the Ateneo de Manila University at the early age of 19.
When he was younger, Rico was one of the main soloists in his parish's choir in Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna, often singing the most challenging soprano and bass parts because of his wide vocal range. He is a totally self taught musician and used to practice playing the piano more than five hours a day.
At a young age, Rico listened heavily to his uncle's records which included the Beatles, jazz and 1970s rock. He moved on to appreciate late 1970s to 1980s punk rock, post punk, synth pop and new wave artists (mostly from the U.K.) such as XTC, The Cure, The Smiths, U2, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, OMD, Tears for Fears, Ultravox, New Order, Madness, Terry Hall, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Midnight Oil, among others. He also listened to Filipino artists such as Deans December, Violent Playground, Identity Crisis, Urban Bandits, Joey Ayala, among others. The music he listened to growing up is largely credited for his musical style.
Awards & Recognition
Won Vocalist of the Year, NU 107 Rock Awards 2008
Won OPM Solo Artist of the Year, RX93.1 FM 2008
Won Favorite New Artist, Myx Music Awards 2009
Won Best New Artist, 1st Philippine Radio Music Awards 2009
Won Best Solo Artist, 1st Philippine Radio Music Awards 2009
Won Album of the Year(Your Universe),1st PhilippineRadioMusic Awards 2009
Won Song of the Year (Antukin), NU 107 Rock Awards 2009
Won OPM Male Artist of the Year, RX93.1 FM 2009
Won Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist(Yugto), Awit Awards 2009
Won Song of the Year (Yugto), Awit Awards 2009
Won Best Musical Arrangement (Yugto), Awit Awards 2009
Won Best Engineered Recording (Angee Rozul, Yugto), Awit Awards 2009
