Meet Dj Rico Baby

We were lucky to catch up with Dj Rico Baby recently and have shared our conversation below.

DJ Rico Baby, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Even as a paternal orphan at three (3) years old, I didn’t know the difference between being brought up by my mother only and by both my parents in a family home scenario. As part of growing up, I remember when asked if I missed my dad or told if only your dad were around, my answer was always how would I miss something I had no encounter or experience at all? Though it’s a sad state, that didn’t get in the way of carrying on with my life. My mom was not remiss in taking care of me in all aspects, including keeping my dad’s memories alive in our hearts and, most especially, training me in the ways of God and not departing from it when I grow old.

My grounding in confidence and self-esteem started when I first knew what I wanted as a young boy. I was fascinated to appear on television shows of ABS-CBN and GMA outfits when I was twelve years old for a fee, and to attain it I attended several acting workshops. My first pay-after talent fee went to open myself a bank account as well as the succeeding earnings, and for my spending, I already used a debit card; so smart for a teenager then. I bought a DVD player to listen to and sing along with my favorite songs to hone my singing skills. To me, these lend credence to a certain degree of security and power growing up.

In college, I enrolled in Communication Arts and have represented Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila in hosting a Campus Hour program aired by a radio outfit called Radio Veritas. The passion for hosting came upon me that day. After graduation, I organized my application letter, printed numerous copies with my resumés, and dropped them weekly and repeatedly in the application boxes of those television outfits and the blocktimer famous show Eat Bulaga to ensure a positive response. True enough, I landed the Production Assistant job that opened my doors to a whole different world of entertainment production and personalities, which became not only my training ground but my playground as well. Then, the time was ripe for my first love, hosting and disc jockeying, to take center stage, so I joined the airwaves with 102.7 Star FM Manila, ABS-CBN’s MOR 101.9 For Life Manila, and 106.7 Energy FM Manila, in that order and of different durations. All told, popularity and good rapport ushered me to host festivals, provincial shows, product endorsements and got an awards in different award giving bodies in the Philippines.

Migrating to the United States carries with me the same passion for disc jockeying and hosting for the Filipino community here, making every family event and community celebration a memorable one, a tagline that encapsulates happy memories for client satisfaction. I remain a pilot of the airwaves in collaboration with Fresh FM based in Manila, doing DJ Rico Baby for its morning timeslot.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Entertainment is the happiest business on earth. It requires human capital that can capture clients’ approval, satisfaction, and delight as the ultimate form of gain on par with cost.

At Sound Vibes Entertainment, we pay attention to details and offer the best of our customized playlists, energetic emcees, and great sound systems. We make sure that every celebration is like a once-in-a-lifetime moment that leaves a lasting mark in the hearts and memories of the client and guests.

Started only in January 2024 and already did sixty-one (61) events, including the Fiesta America and the Philippine American Friendship Community (PAFCOM) events across New York and New Jersey. Wherever Filipino families and communities are, we are there to make their events fun and memorable. Indeed, it’s the best form of advertising we could ever get.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I believe that every individual is gifted with a good measure of talent, which he is expected to use for good works.

Being a part of the entertainment world was my choice from the early stages of my life and not at all a fortunate stroke of serendipity. It happened to me because hosting and disc jockeying interest me the most. When you want what you’re doing, you can find ways to excel. I sharpened my skills through constant social media exposure and healthy interaction and collaboration with the top practitioners and event suppliers in town.

To stay in control and withstand challenges, I empowered myself with uniqueness and classiness. Because I believe that reflecting high standards lets one’s bearing hold sway on the ground.

Lastly, I maintain a good connection or ties with my clients. Remember, occasions happen all year round and repeatedly year after year. With the lasting mark left in the clients’ memories, chances are they’ll get to have your services the second time around.

I’ll leave my advice with you aspiring hosts or Deejays: know yourself. There is no one ever to decide the path that you would like to take but you alone. If you have a passion for something with a clear vision of what you want to be, pursue it. It is that drive that will take you to your spot under the sun and help you enjoy a work-life balance.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

I am truly grateful to my mom and so blessed to have been guided by her in life. Her values motivated me to pursue my star, and her continuous encouragement to me is unparalleled.

A special mention to my loving wife, Hannah, who inspired and helped me put up Sound Vibes Entertainment and, at times, especially when most needed, helped me in the pre-production and during the show at the event venues.

Back home, I appreciate the valuable contributions of the people I met and worked with and who, in one way or another, molded my personality from a mere dreamer to a media personality that I was in the Philippines.

Here in the United States, I am forever indebted to DJ Dennis Almario, who believed in my talent, introduced me to the Filipino community organizers, and got my first hosting assignment. The same goes for DJ Zin Joel Navarro, who paved the way for me to do various hosting stints in New York and nearby States. He shared his best practices with me, which helped me improve still more.

I would not have achieved this much without the help and support of these beautiful people.

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