Born in the Philippines but grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he and his two older sisters (Kay and Simone) grew up playing Goose Creek Golf Club, a parkland-style public course in nearby Mira Loma.

Earliest golf memory is watching Tiger Woods at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Began to work with Ron Stockton, son of 10-time PGA TOUR winner Dave Stockton and brother of Dave Stockton Jr., around the time he turned 10 years old; the biggest lesson Ron taught young Rico was to imagine shots and be creative because "there's no such thing as a straight shot," so he taught Rico how to cut and draw the ball as he told him to "go curve the ball and have a good time."

Known for wearing square diamond earrings, Rico got his ears pierced and began wearing earrings when he was in second grade. Rico jokingly "bluffed" his mom and said he wanted earrings, and she actually called Rico on it and took him to a nearby Claire's to get his ears pierced.

Aspirations outside of golf include writing a book.

His sisters, Kay and Simone, played college golf at Long Beach State University, where Kay (2004-09) was a two-time All-America Second Team selection, two-time Big West Conference Golfer of the Year, and set a school record with seven individual wins, while Simone (2009-13) won twice and was a two-time All-Big West First Team honoree.