Richard Reynoso (Instagram)

With more than 30 years in the music industry, OPM singer Richard Reynoso shared some of his memorable experiences in an episode of TicTALK with Aster Amoyo on YouTube. Before establishing himself as a singer, Reynoso sang theme songs, which he said can be heard during the end credits of multiple movies. He believed that looking at the bigger picture is important because there lie the preparations for what goes ahead. “Kung di po ako gumawa nung movie theme songs na yan… together with the Aawitan Kita experience, I don't think I’d be able to do Paminsan-minsan, Hindi Ko Kaya, and all other things,” he said. When he was just starting out as a singer, Reynoso said that an established artist told him that he should just continue studying. However, that did not discourage him from pursuing his career.  “Dapat gamitin mo yun na hamon, kung talagang naniniwala kang may lugar ka sa industriya,” Reynoso said. This was proven to be true when his song, "Hindi Ko Kaya," became a hit in the provinces. He first held his major concert in Santiago, Isabela, where his song first became popularized. Reynoso, 53, wanted a song that was simple and timeless that even children could sing.  Another hit song entitled "Paminsan-minsan" was originally a song included in his second album. But it was made into a single after singer and actress Rachel Alejandro heard it and demanded that it should be released as a single instead.  These days, it continues to be one of his greatest hits and a song known by Filipinos in karaoke, which he said was a contributing factor to his fame.

A screenshot of Aster Amoyo and Richard Reynoso during interview on TicTALK with Aster Amoyo

Even when he enters establishments, guards would sing it and waiters would play it.  “Sinusundan ako ng kanta, it follows me everywhere. It’s their way of saying na hello,” he said.  Reynoso also had his fair share of challenges in life outside of his musical career.  He faced two brushes with death when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and went into surgery in 2018. He also stayed in the ICU for eight days because of critical COVID illness. Now, Reynoso remains content with his life and said that he already has everything he needs right now: family. “I live for them sila yung rason kung bakit kaming mag-asawa ay nagtatrabaho nang maayos, nagpupursigi,” he said about his two daughters.  Reynoso also said that he has come to a point in life when all he wants is to give rather than to receive, especially in the industry.  In this lifetime, Reynoso said that he wanted to be remembered as someone who “made people laugh, sing, have a good time” and as a “dedicated family man and a loving son.” (Jaff Emielene Conejos/OJT/University of Sto. Tomas)

For full interview, click:

 [https://youtu.be/HIruvoakJoM](https://youtu.be/HIruvoakJoM)