Rico Blanco’s younger brother Rey dies at 50
Rico Blanco and his younger brother King. Image: Instagram/@ricoblanco100
Rey Blanco, the younger brother of singer and songwriter Rico Blanco, died at the age of 50 on Wednesday, May 14. His death was confirmed by his daughter Daniela and Rivermaya drummer Mark Escueta on social media.
Daniela announced her father’s death on Thursday, May 15, on Facebook by sharing an art card that includes the latter’s funeral and interment details.
“Our daddy King has peacefully joined our Creator,” the daughter wrote. “We love you always and forever, Dad. Like you always say: Thank you, love you.”
A family member said viewing and interment will be private and limited to immediate family and friends.
Escueta, who is Rico’s Rivermaya bandmate before the later left the band to pursue his own solo music career, also posted about Rey’s death on his Instagram page, writing, “Farewell, brother.”
Earlier this year, Rico asked for prayers for Rey, who has been diagnosed with an “advanced and very aggressive type of squamous cell carcinoma,” or skin cancer.
The “Your Universe” singer said that Rey’s diagnosis was their family’s “toughest battle” to date as he expressed his hope that it’s not too late for his brother, who just started receiving treatment recently.
“Please pray for King’s strength and healing. Only heaven really knows what’s best for my dear brother but we are keeping our hopes up,” he wrote at the time. “I cannot bear to imagine a world without him in it. This is our toughest battle. Please, please help us win.”
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