Rico paints from the heart and draws inspiration from life experiences, extracting the beauty and optimism out of each experience.
Rico's early life was not easy as he grew up without a father. In order to support his family, he tried various odd jobs including being a house boy, an errand boy, and a street peddler, all while balancing his life as a student.
Due to his early experiences, Rico learned the value of hard work even at an early age. Despite the struggles in his life, his love for painting was always deeply rooted in his being.
In his late twenties, he took a leap of faith and left his day job to pursue his passion for art. Despite not having any formal training, he was inspired by national artists and renowned painters such as Ang Kiukok, Bencab, Malang, Manansala, and Botong Francisco. The artists he looked up to and the time he spent observing a variety of art styles from galleries helped him discover techniques he could call his own.
Rico's portrayals of Filipino scenes are different. His unique style of portraiture focusing on geometric shapes along with his dramatic use of pigment make his creations distinct with a style that's completely his own.
Rico believes that his art should reflect him as a person, his feelings, and his aspirations. He dreams of sharing many more of his pieces in the homes of more Filipinos, sharing the good values inherent in every piece.