Ric Segreto facts for kids

Richard Vincent Macaraeg (born September 27, 1952 – died September 6, 1998), known to many as Ric Segreto, was a talented singer, songwriter, and actor. He was born in America but became very popular in the Philippines. Ric was also a teacher, journalist, and historian.

Ric Segreto's Early Life

Ric Macaraeg was born in Brooklyn, New York City. His mother, Bridget Segreto, was Italian-American, and his father, Godofredo G. Macaraeg, was Filipino. Ric was the second of six children. He spent his first five years in New York with his parents. His mother worked as a dietician, and his father was a surgeon.

Family Background and Moving Around

Ric's father, Dr. Macaraeg, was from Malasiqui, Pangasinan, Philippines. He was a doctor in the Philippine Army during World War II. After the war, he studied in the United States at Johns Hopkins University. Both of Ric's parents loved music, which helped him get interested in singing.

In 1957, Ric's family moved to the Philippines. He went to Lourdes School of Quezon City. Two years later, in 1959, they moved to Guam. This calmer environment helped Ric explore his love for performing.

Starting Music in Guam

In Guam, Ric and his older brother Gordon started a rock band called The Asteroids. They were only 12 and 13 years old! They even played with the grandsons of a famous Filipino composer, Nicanor Abelardo. The Asteroids played in places where military people gathered.

Later, Ric went back to the Philippines for high school at Ateneo de Manila. There, he became friends with people who would later form the famous band APO Hiking Society, like Jim Paredes and Boboy Garovillo. After a year, Ric returned to Guam. He formed another band called the Salvation Army with his brother Goff and other friends. They sang and played music all over Guam on weekends.

College Years

After high school, Ric went to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States. He studied history there. During college, he continued to play in bands and act in plays.

Ric's Music Career

After finishing college in 1974, Ric, who was 22, traveled around the US with a band. They sang and he played bass guitar in places like Scottsdale, Arizona, Reno, and Las Vegas. He later joined another band and performed for audiences in Japan in the early 1980s.

Becoming a Star in the Philippines

Ric wanted to reconnect with his Filipino heritage, so he left Japan and returned to the Philippines. He sang in clubs until the Vicor record company discovered him. In 1982, his first big song, "Kahit Konting Pagtingin," became an instant hit! This song launched his career as a recording artist in the Philippines. He appeared on many TV shows and performed in concerts both in the Philippines and overseas.

Ric as a Teacher and Writer

Besides being a musician, Ric Segreto was also a teacher and a writer. He taught history to high school students in Guam. When he returned to the Philippines, he wrote articles about sociology for a local magazine called MAN Magazine. He also worked on a special project about the music industry in the Philippines.

While teaching in Guam, Ric also played music in local beach bars and night clubs with his younger brother Gordon. Their band was called the Bunelos Brothers. They often played songs by The Beatles, along with other easy-listening tunes and ballads. They performed together for three years.

Ric Segreto's Songs

When Ric's music career took off, Filipino songs written in English were very popular. He worked with famous songwriters like Levi Celerio and Odette Quesada.

Ric released two original albums: Segreto and Man of the Hour. Many compilation albums with his songs have been released since then.

Here are some of his well-known songs:

• "Kahit Konting Pagtingin"
• "Don't Know What to Say (Don't Know What to Do)"
• "Give Me a Chance"
• "Touched by the Rainbow"
• "Angela"
• "Come Back to Me"
• "Do Ya, Do Ya Ever, Do Ya?"
• "Man of the Hour"
• "Hold On to My Love"
• "All I Wanna Do"
• "Slippin' Away"
• "Even Just Once More"
• "Stay"
• "I Need You"
• "I Thought She Was You"
• "Since You Said Goodbye"
• "Nang Dahil Sa Iyo"
• "Labis Din Kaya?"
• "Dasal"
• "Loving You"

Ric also sang backup vocals for the band RP (Rock Project) and for his brother Goff Macaraeg on the song "Run."

Ric Segreto in Movies

Ric Segreto also appeared in a few movies:

• May Minamahal (1993) – He played himself and performed his song "Don't Know What to Do (Don't Know What to Say)."
• Nine Deaths of the Ninja (1985) – He played a PC Trooper.
• Missing in Action (1984) – He played a GI.

Ric Segreto's Passing

Ric Segreto passed away on September 6, 1998. He was riding his motorcycle in Makati when he was involved in an accident on a bridgeway that was being built. He was almost 46 years old. Ric was survived by his wife, Erica, and their son, Darby. He was laid to rest in San Ildefonso Catholic Cemetery in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.