Ric Manrique Jr.

Born in Manila on May 23, 1941, the “King of Kundiman’s” first claim to fame was in 1960, when he became champion for 12 weeks in Tawag ng Tanghalan, a nationally televised amateur singing contest. The TV show’s program director Teddy Valdemor took notice of Manrique’s talent and composed for him his first big hit song, “Till I Die”. Since then, he became a popular singer, interpreting popular movie them songs such as “Sapagkat Kami Ay Tao Lamang”, and “Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak”. Later on, he would become a member of the Mabuhay Singers under the Villar Recording Company.