The Reycards or Reycard Duet were a Filipino singing comic duo consisting of Carding Castro (also known as Carding Cruz) and Rey Ramirez. Ramirez was known as the dashing singer while Cruz provided the comedy.
Ramirez and Castro first teamed up in 1953 during a singing contest in Quiapo, Manila, where they won first prize. In 1954, they started calling themselves the Reycard Duet. Reycard was simply the union of their names, Rey and Carding. They became regulars at The Clover Theater, The Manila Grand Opera House and also performed at town fiestas, on television and radio.
In July 1966, the duo were one of the opening acts for The Beatles’ performance at Rizal Stadium in Manila. Sometime in the late 60s the duo moved to the United States where they continued to perform for more than 40 years until Ramirez’s death in 1997. Castro died in Las Vegas in 2003.
I loved Ricky and Ray, I knew them personally when they were hired at Harvey’s in Lake Tahoe. They came to my home for supper several times…I made Lumpia for them which they loved. I have lotsa wonderful memories of our friendship. They are truly missed.
LikeLike