Filipino singer and songwriter Rico Blanco dedicates his acoustic rendition of “Alab Ng Puso” song by Rivermaya to the first ever Filipino gold medalist in the Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz.
Rico posted his cover on Tuesday, July 27 following the Hidilyn’s victory last Monday, July 26. He even included “Para Kay Hidlyin” (for Hidilyn) in the title of his Youtube video.
The singer showed intimacy in his cover as he played the guitar and sang live with electrical drums as a backing track.
Being a sports fan himself, Rico shared his thoughts regarding the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold medal earned by Diaz. He shared how his love for sports is just as much as his love for music and how much he had waited for the moment where the Philippines would take the limelight in the biggest sports competition.
“Gumising ako kanina at hindi pa rin makapaniwala na may Olympic Gold Medal na ang Pilipinas. Alam niyo nang lahat na ang pagmamahal ko sa sports ay katumbas ng pagmamahal ko sa musika, minsan nga higit pa. Mula sa pagkabata ko iniisip ko kung kailan darating ang panahon. At dumating na nga kahapon,” Blanco wrote.
He added how the Filipina competitor carried the dreams of every Filipinos just like him, ending his message by thanking her, “Sa mga balikat ni Sgt. Hidilyn Diaz, binuhat niya ang mga pangarap ng bawat Pilipinong katulad ko. Hindi ko mapigil ang pag apaw ng inspirasyon mula sa kanya at nais kong magpasalamat lamang kaya’t agad agad kong ginawa at inaalay sa kanya ang recording na ito. Salamat, Hidilyn.”
As of writing, the song cover has garnered over 71k views and 6.9k reactions.
Moreover, Rico Blanco will be featured on Viva Records’ “Rico Blanco Songbook: Musical Stories by Rico Blanco” which will be released on August 7, 8 pm on Ktx.ph, IWantTFC, SkyPPV, IPTV; and August 20 on VivaMax.
He will be joined by renowned local artists in the streaming event such as Sarah Geronimo, December Avenue, Ebe Dancel, Janine Teñoso, Earl Generao, John Roa, This Band, Raphiel Shannon, Callalily, Mayonnaise, Sponge Cola, and Gibbs.
