MANILA -- OPM legend Rico J. Puno has passed away early Tuesday morning. He was 65.
Puno's death was announced in an Instagram post by his sister-in-law, Anna Puno.
"I am seized with deep emotional shock when I found out that our OPM King - Kuya Rico J. Puno has passed away this morning (manila time)," she said in the post.
"Numbed with grief, I would like to call on all entertainers in the OPM Industry as well as his worldwide fans to stop for a moment and say a prayer to one of the most respected singers in the country," she added.
The total entertainer underwent two major heart operations -- an open heart surgery in 2015 and placement of a pacemaker this year.
Lea Salonga, in a Twitter post, remembered how Puno's "distinctive voice lent itself so much of the music of my childhood."
Other OPM icons, including Jessa Zaragoza and Gary Valenciano, expressed their "shock" over Puno's passing.
"Rest in peace kapitan (captain). I'm in total shock at this news," Valenciano posted on Twitter.
Meanwhile, in a separate post, singer Zsa Zsa Padilla said she will remember Puno's "beautiful songs and (his) unique way of interpreting them." (PNA)
