Rico Blanco Gains More Love and Respect from Fans and Netizens Amid Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings Cheating Controversy

Five months after Kapamilya actress Maris Racal announced her separation from Rico Blanco, the Rivermaya frontman, during a media conference, and amid the latest cheating controversy involving Anthony Jennings, Rico Blanco performed live at a significant event attended by many fans. It was evident from Rico’s performance that he had moved on, delivering every lyric with deep emotion and palpable meaning.

Despite the heartbreak of letting go of Maris, whom he once called the love of his life, Rico chose to prioritize her growth and happiness over his own. He has now moved on and continues his journey as a musician, staying true to his passion for music.

Rico’s selfless love for Maris reflects his desire to see her happy in her life’s journey. A true gentleman, he accepted the painful reality that the most selfless act of love is sometimes to let someone go. Believing Maris deserves someone better than himself, Rico’s mature and heartfelt actions have garnered him immense love and respect from fans and netizens alike. His integrity stood out even amid shocking revelations by Jam Villanueva, which further stirred public interest.

Understanding Maris’s current stage of growth—flourishing in her career, discovering her true self, and embracing new opportunities—Rico demonstrated exceptional maturity, bravery, and acceptance. These qualities have earned him widespread admiration, especially in an industry often fraught with drama during celebrity breakups.

On the other hand, Maris Racal’s first lead role in a film failed to perform at the box office on its opening day last July 17. The LGBT comedy-thriller, rated R-18 by the MTRCB, was pulled from Ayala cinemas nationwide due to poor ticket sales. The film was removed after its second day and even canceled as the “Opening Film” for the 20th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

The announcement of Maris’s breakup with Rico did little to boost the film’s promotion, with the controversy she now faces further compounding the situation. A marketing strategy advised by her management—holding up her movie poster while calling netizens “Tsismosa”—backfired, leading to even poorer ticket sales.

Most recently, Maris took to social media to distance herself from Anthony Jennings, accusing him of being a womanizer. This move prompted netizens to speculate that their relationship has soured.

Meanwhile, Rico Blanco’s fans have begun to “ship” him with Net25 Star Kada singer and brand endorser Sofi Fermazi. Fans are eagerly anticipating a collaboration between the two, already dubbing their tandem “SofRic.” According to reports, both artists’ management teams are working to finalize plans for their joint performance and are finalizing a deal that Rico will be part of Fermazi’s released debut album n March 2025 titled Rain Inside Us, under Star Music.