In May 2007, Blanco announced his departure from Rivermaya. His last performance with Rivermaya was on May 4, 2007, at the Metro Bar (wherein two other high-profile Filipino bands opened the show, Pupil and Sandwich; two spin-off bands of the legendary pop-rock group Eraserheads). It was coincidental that Rico's first gig as singer for Rivermaya was also held at the Metro Bar (formerly known as ""Kampo""). Furthermore, first ever Rivermaya gig (where Blanco was keyboardist) was in Las Piñas City in 1993 where the band was the opening act for Eraserheads.