Rico Blanco, the veteran musician and former partner of Maris Racal, has garnered widespread admiration online for his dignified response—or lack thereof—to allegations involving Racal and her co-star Anthony Jennings. As heated discussions erupted following claims of infidelity made by Jennings’ ex-girlfriend, Jamela Villanueva, Blanco chose not to address the issue publicly, earning respect for his mature and composed stance.
Social media users praised the former Rivermaya frontman, describing his silence as a rare display of grace in the face of controversy.
“Rico Blanco’s maturity is on another level,” wrote Prince Dennmarc Umpad in a now-viral post. “He never exposed Maris. Never spoke ill of her even after everything she’s done. That kind of love is rare. He chose to protect her and rise above despite the age gap, the risks, and all the judgment they probably faced. Just a genuine care that stays even when things fall apart.”
Another netizen, Abelardo Billy Balin Jr., echoed similar sentiments: “The way he’s chosen to stay silent amidst all the noise is something else—a rare kind of maturity you don’t see often. He chose silence over drama. He chose peace over chaos. He chose love over bitterness. He chose forgiveness instead of being weighed down by the past.”
Blanco, who has been sharing updates about his recent gigs in Alaminos, Cainta, Bulacan, and Manila, has refrained from engaging with the swirling allegations. Instead, his social media is filled with gratitude for his fans and excitement for upcoming performances, such as his show at Howlers Manila.
His recent Instagram post, featuring snapshots from his tours, was met with comments lauding his character. “Rico deserves so much more. He doesn’t deserve a girl like Maris,” one Facebook user commented.
Blanco and Racal’s five-year relationship, which became public in 2021, ended in July 2024. At the time, Racal denied any involvement from Anthony Jennings in their breakup, stating, “Anthony is out of the picture. It’s just me and Rico.” She described the split as emotionally challenging but denied the presence of a third party.
While the controversy surrounding Racal and Jennings continues to dominate social media, Blanco’s decision to focus on his music and maintain his silence has made him a symbol of resilience and grace for many.
“He’s shown us what it means to be the bigger person, to take the higher road when it’s so easy to get pulled into the mess,” Balin added. “That kind of grace is just inspiring.”
