OPM rock icon Rico Blanco is doing something new in his career: acting as the main male lead in a romantic comedy film for the first time.
Directed by Eric Quizon and written by Jose Javier Reyes, the upcoming film casts Rico as Mico Andrade, an artist drawn into a story that tackles modern questions about relationships, parenthood, and readiness, delivered with a balance of humor and emotional weight.
At 53, Rico said the opportunity arrived at a point when he was not expecting to headline a commercial film of this scale.
“I can’t believe all of this is happening. I’ve done so many things in my career that I’m so grateful for. Nalagpas-lagpasan ko na lahat ng dreams ko,” he said, describing the experience as surreal even after months of preparation and the film’s growing online buzz.
His casting in Project Baby also marks a shift from music icon to screen lead, something he acknowledged as both exciting and intimidating. Rico shared that acting remains a craft he has long respected, tracing his interest back to earlier creative work in his youth.
“I have so much love for acting,” he said, noting that he has explored other forms of visual art, such as painting and photography, alongside his music career.
Preparation for the role, he added, stretched over months as he repeatedly revisited the script and gradually shaped his character through each revision. He also credited the production team for allowing collaboration in building the role.
“Bawat revision po, binabasa ko,” Blanco said, noting that he was open to contributing small ideas even after officially joining the project.
The musician also revealed that the transition into film acting came with a different kind of pressure compared to performing on stage or in concerts.
“Kinakabahan ako. [Mas] kabado pa ako dito kaysa kapag meron akong major concert,” he said, adding that it sometimes felt unbelievable to be leading a Regal Entertainment film.
Despite the nerves, the singer-songwriter said the experience helped him appreciate the nature of filmmaking, particularly its permanence and unpredictability.
He then described acting as a space where moments cannot simply be replicated, unlike music performances that can be refined over time.
“There are moments na magagawa ninyo nang isang beses lang, hindi mo siya mauulit,” he said.
Working with director Eric, Rico said that it also helped ease his transition into the role. He described Eric’s approach as collaborative and actor-friendly, often offering simple but precise guidance during key scenes.
Beyond its romantic comedy framing, Project Baby also explores how people navigate expectations around family and personal timelines, an idea that resonated with Rico as he reflected on life choices and timing.
“Sometimes it’s a good thing to take control. Sometimes it’s a good thing to let life happen to you,” he said, summing up the film’s central tension.
For him, who has spent decades defining himself in music, Project Baby represents a new creative chapter, one where he is no longer just performing for audiences but leading a story on screen for the first time.
Project Baby also stars Sue Ramirez, Matt Lozano, Arra San Agustin, Yasser Marta, Alex Calleja, Kimson Tan, Christian Ty, Charuth, Drei Arias, Jonathan Perez, Jazzil Sarinas, and Alice Dixson. The film opens in cinemas nationwide on June 10.
