Rico Blanco’s younger brother dies at 50

Rey Estanislao “King” Blanco (left), the younger brother of Rivermaya vocalist Rico Blanco (right), dies at the age of 50 on May 14, 2025.

Pumanaw na ang nakababatang kapatid ni Rico Blanco, 51, na si Rey “King” Blanco nitong Miyerkules, May 14, 2025.

Siya ay 50.

Ang malungkot na balita ay kinumpirma ng anak ni King na si Daniela sa pamamagitan ng Facebook post ngayong Huwebes, May 15.

Kalakip ng kanyang post ang detalye ng lamay at libing ng ama, maging ang huling mensahe ng pagmamahal niya rito.

Hindi tinukoy ni Daniela ang dahilan ng pagkamatay ng kanyang ama, ngunit napaulat noong may cancer si King.

Mababasa sa post ni Daniela (published as is): “Our daddy King has peacefully joined our Creator.

“For those who wish to visit him, his wake will be held at Heaven’s Park, Biñan, Laguna (formerly Arlington) starting today.

“His interment will be on May 20, Tuesday, at Everest Hills Memorial Park, Muntinlupa shortly after the funeral mass at Heaven’s Park at 1 PM.

“We love you always and forever, dad. Like you always say: “Thank you, love you.””

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Rico Blanco appeaLS for prayers for brother King

Noong January 23, 2025, nanawagan ng dasal mula sa publiko si Rico sa gitna ng matinding pagsubok sa kalusugan ni King.

Sa Instagram, ipinost ng Rivermaya vocalist ang throwback photos nila ng kapatid, kalakip ang malungkot na balita sa pagkakaroon nito ng cancer.

Ayon kay Rico, hindi matatawaran ng kahit ano ang samahan nila ni King dahil bata pa lang daw sila ay malapit na sila sa isa’t isa.

Sila raw ang madalas magkasama sa lahat—sa kalungkutan man o kaligayahan—kaya naman ganoon na lamang naapektuhan si Rico nang madiskubre niyang may malubhang sakit si King.

Rico Blanco (right) and his younger brother King (left). 

Na-diagnose si King na mayroong squamous cell carcinoma.

Ayon sa Pathology Report, ang squamous cell carcinoma ay isang uri ng cancer na nagsisimula sa squamous cells o mga espesyal na selula na matatagpuan sa panloob na ibabaw ng lukab ng ilong at paranasal sinuses.

Ang paranasal sinuses—na kinabibilangan ng maxillary, frontal, sphenoid, at ethmoid sinuses—ay mga puwang na puno ng hangin sa mga buto sa paligid ng ilong na nagpapagaan sa bigat ng bungo at gumagawa ng mucus.

Mababasa sa caption ni Rico (published as is): “This beautiful boy you see with me is my younger brother, King. Only a year apart, we did everything together growing up, like bestfriends, or even twins.

“We shared so many adventures and fought so many battles alongside each other. I love him so very dearly.

“A few weeks ago we received the terrible news that he has cancer.

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“The signs all came too rapidly and seemingly out of nowhere, and by the time we got the full diagnosis, we were told he already has an advanced and very aggressive type of squamous cell carcinoma (sinus).”

Bagamat nagsisimula na noon ang gamutan ni King, karagdagang dasal pa rin ang hiningi ni Rico sa kanyang fans para mapagtagumpayan ng kapatid ang iniindang sakit.

Ayon kay Rico, hindi niya kakayanin kung sakaling may mangyaring hindi maganda kay King.

Aniya: “His treatment started yesterday, and we are praying all our efforts are not too late.

“Weve also decided to share so we can humbly ask for your help – please pray for King’s strength and healing.

“Only heaven really knows whats best for my dear brother but we are keeping our hopes up.

“I cannot bear to imagine a world without him in it.

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“This is our toughest battle. Please, please help us win.”