Open hearts and pockets inside-out
TUESDAY last week, Hard Rock Café filled to the rafters. It was a benefit show for Rico Puno (not the name-saked undersecretary who was 2 out of 3 K’s of the President, but Rico J. Puno, the pop song icon who is recovering from triple heart bypass).
The emcee, his friend Richard Merk, said Rico Puno would be overwhelmed by the crowd… he might have another heart attack.
A month earlier, a man of consequence, Oscar Violago, was advised by his cardiologist Dr. Rody Sy, to have an angiogram. The portents looked dark –overweight, suffering chest pains, he was a candidate for heart bypass. But after a series of tests, Oca got a clean bill of health and was just advised by his team of doctors to observe a strict regimen, diet, and medication.
When word went out that friends were passing the hat for Rico Puno’s heart bypass, Oca pledged 6 digits towards the operation. He said it would have been him going under the knife, but “sa awa ng Diyos” (“for God’s grace”). For that providence, helping another one is his way of saying thanks.
Oca hosted six tables for his San Jose high school chums. Richard Merk was not shy of announcing that Oca paid many times over the tag price of his six tables.
Several other Capo di tutti godfathers, (and godmothers, too, Yolly Ong was one of them), bought tables; many generous souls also contributed by turning out their pockets for seats. Besides the support of the Medicis and fans, the artists without exception donated their fees to the cause.
So much so that Gary Lising commented that, surely, “Kita pa si Rico dito” (Translation: “Rico will surely come out ahead.”) He added that he wouldn’t wish it to happen, but wondered if friends and relations would do the same for him.
There would be 42 artists performing that evening, the Who’s Who in our music world, including several who flew in from Los Angeles, Europe, the Middle East, Hong Kong. Woodstock had 30 bands and artists over three days… but this jamming had more artists in one day. (Actually, over two days if you count the spillover to the wee hours next day.)
The common refrain from the performing artists was that they were doing this for Rico, who had been an inspiration or gave them their first break… or has helped other artists get a start-up… or graced their show.
Some acts, in no particular order, but to a senior’s best recall: Mike Hanopol (rhymes with “rak en rol”) belted out “Laki sa Layaw Jeproks.” A revelation: I wouldn’t have recognized Mike with his goatee and the Jewish vest; he is studying to be a rabbi.
Hajji Alejandro and Rico Puno were played up as the musical equivalent of Vilma and Nora. The rivalry only did each other good. Hajji did a medley of his favorites, and capped it with his signature “Kay ganda ng ating musika.”
Dulce and David Ezra dueted – a mother-and-son class act.
Freddie Aguilar and his Wawat band, including his son Jeriko, played “Estudyante Blues.”
One of Oca’s guests, Danny Brocka, brother of the late enfant terrible director Lino Brocka, gamely accompanied Ivy Violan in her number… hugging her in a dance. But when Jo Awayan enticed him at her song-and-dance, he kept as far away and cleared the chairs to set her apart, because “Nakuha siya sa
tingin ng asawa, Tessie. (Translation: If his wife Tessie’s looks could kill…)
Mitoy, “The Voice,” reverberated; and Jun Regalado played the drums that would have Gene Krupa sit up, (or, he beat a charge “that would make the dead fall in line”?).
PWD Ronnie P, was about to start, when Rico Puno came on stage to thank all his friends and admirers for their support. From his bawdy one-liners, Rico was without doubt well on the mend.
When an undersized, handicapped Ronnie P. sang, (mike on one hand and right elbow leaning on his crutch), “Kahit isang saglit”, he grew into a tall-dark-and-handsome suitor. How is it that the personality changes, blooms, with each song? Singing is the greatest gift, the higher form of prayer.
An inspiration: If a PWD can morph by singing, what can we not do? (Except that my PWD condition is that I am desintunado.)
Rico’s daughter Makati councilor-Tosca Camilla, sang one of her father’s favorites, “Diyos ang Pag-Ibig”; (she also sang it to him before his operation). Her brother Rox Puno performed “Macho Gwapito” and “Magkasuyo” with his band. (The head-taller and better looking look-alike daw of Rico.)
Oca said the show was worth many times over the ticket price, which came with a free non-alcoholic drink. (No need for alcohol: the performances were intoxicating!) The marathon started at 8:00 p.m… and they were still rocking when we seniors had to stand up at 200 a.m.
We may never again see at Hard Rock Café a similar constellation of top recording and performing artists. It may need another heart attack… but we do not want that. FEEDBACK: