Keno(I)

For a brief time in the late 1980s, the popular music scene was dominated by Keno, who was at the time heralded as heir to the niche that singers Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano had carved out for themselves. Keno, born on June 16, 1962, started his career in opera but switched to popular music. In 1986, he came out with the classic Filipino love song "Leaving Yesterday Behind", which garnered a gold record award. It was at this time that Viva films cast him as one of the ninjas in "Ninja Kids". It was his first and only film, despite Viva Films' other offers. He came out with several other albums, with notable song "A Friend" being most requested song for radio in 1990. He performed in several solo concerts in the Philippines and other Asian countries. Aside from that, he was a media icon for Pepsi-Cola. ALIW's most promising entertainer of the year (1987), Keno was an advocate and board member of the then fledgling 'Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit' or OPM, the official association of Filipino singers. Keno announced his retirement following a successful major concert at the ULTRA stadium in 1991. Much like his song, Keno "left yesterday behind", leaving admirers and fans with much music but only one classic movie: Ninja Kids and the Samurai Sword (1986).