MANILA, Philippines — Even an iconic rock star is not immune to a sudden case of stage fright when stepping away from his microphone.Filipino music legend Rico Blanco admitted to experiencing severe “impostor syndrome” after unexpectedly landing his very first romantic-comedy leading man role at the age of 53.
The former Rivermaya frontman opened up about his anxieties during a recent media conference for his upcoming debut film, “Project Baby,” where he stars opposite actress Sue Ramirez.
Blanco, whose career has spanned decades of historic musical milestones, confessed that sitting at a movie press conference felt vastly more intimidating than playing to a packed stadium of screaming rock fans:
- The Actor’s Anxiety: Blanco shared that stepping into the quintessential “leading man” archetype was entirely unchartered territory, making him doubt whether he truly belonged in the frame.
- The Unimagined Milestone: The musician revealed that starring in a mainstream romantic comedy—especially one backed by the legacy of Regal Entertainment—was never an ambition he actively chased, making its sudden realization surreal.
[ DECADES AS ROCK ICON ] ──► Commands Crowds of 50,000+ ──► Feels Calm and Entirely Content[ DEBUT AS ROM-COM LEAD ] ──► Faces Media Room at Age 53 ──► Suffers Intense Impostor Syndrome
The rock icon was brutally candid about his internal dialogue, admitting he occasionally has to physically pinch himself to believe his current career trajectory.
“First ko ito, ever (na rom-com). Hindi ko alam kung magiging last. Sana hindi. Minsan nga nagkaka-impostor syndrome ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Totoo ba ‘yan? Kinakabahan ako dito eh. Mas kabado pa ako dito kaysa pag merong major concert or malaking music event… You know, at this point in my life, ngayon pa ako magkakaroon ng lead role and Regal movie. It’s like, parang ginaganun (sampal) ko ‘yung sarili ko. I can’t believe all of this is happening.” — Rico Blanco
While Blanco has accumulated minor acting credits across his storied career, his creative identity remains permanently anchored in the DNA of Philippine rock.
[ RICO BLANCO'S DUAL CREATIVE PROFILE ]
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[ THE MUSICAL LEGACY ] [ THE ACTING EVOLUTION ]
• Iconic keyboardist and chief songwriter • Occasional dramatic cameos and
for Rivermaya during the 90s. specialized television roles over the years.
• Decades of solo hitmaking (*"Yugto," • 2026: Breaks through as a certified
"Antukin"*) and independent production. cinematic leading man in *Project Baby*.
Blanco added that he has already surpassed his wildest childhood music dreams multiple times over. Because a romantic lead role was never on his professional bucket list, he views the opportunity not as a calculated career pivot, but as an unexpected gift that fills him with immense gratitude for the industry’s continued trust.