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Bamboo says upcoming Rivermaya concert ‘never an easy decision’: ‘Sometimes maganda ‘yun eh’

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Nikka Avegail Sabio

<p>Bamboo said he couldn&#x27;t be any happier that the reunion is finally happening. </p><p>OPM band Rivermaya is set for a reunion concert this coming February. The band&#x27;s comeback is extra special as they celebrate their 30th year anniversary in the music industry this year.</p><p>Fans who have been waiting for the classic and nostalgic music of Rivermaya are in for a treat as the band&#x27;s original members, including Bamboo Mañalac, Rico Blanco, Mark Escueta, and Nathan Azarcon, are all set to perform together on one stage. The band members are excited and ready to bring back the memories and the music that made them a legendary band in the Philippines.</p><p>&quot;For me, parang imposible siya. Hindi ko talaga in-expect na mangyayari to,&quot; bass guitarist Nathan Azarcon shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fvideos%2F1027467511666108%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Rivermaya made their debut in 1994 with the release of their hit single &quot;Ulan.&quot; The band rose to fame with several other popular songs, including “Himala”, “Kisapmata”, “You’ll Be Safe Here,” “Awit ng Kabataan,” “Liwanag sa Dilim,” “Elesi”, “214,” and “Hinahanap Hanap Kita”.</p><p>The original members of the band were Perf de Castro, Bamboo, Rico Blanco, Mark Escueta, and Nathan Azarcon. However, at present, only Mark and Nathan are the active members of the band. </p><p>Perf left the band in 1995, followed by Bamboo in 1998. Rico, who was the last to leave in 2007, pursued his solo career, as well as Bamboo.</p><p>The band has undergone several changes over the years, with new members joining and various challenges, including a trademark battle over their band’s name. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1MKea0JkQH/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A4034736.7000000477%2C%22ls%22%3A2864061.100000024%2C%22le%22%3A2864064%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>When asked about their reunion preparations, the band members were surprised and amused that all their bandmates had agreed to the concert. </p><p>“It’s never an easy decision and sometimes maganda yun eh, na there is a bit of resistance eh,” Bamboo said, as he previously reacted if there’s a chance for them to reunite for a show. </p><p>“To work with these two again (Bamboo and Rico), ayun palang okay na okay na sakin,” Mark Escueta expressed as he shared his excitement to perform with former band members Bamboo and Rico Blanco.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1tP0DrvjzG/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A4009494.2000000477%2C%22ls%22%3A2864061.100000024%2C%22le%22%3A2864064%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Rico agreed to the reunion partly because it was organized by Live Nation and would feature the first Filipino artist at a concert, along with his former bandmates.</p><p>&quot;The opportunity to do another first is a very strong factor for me to decide. Also, we&#x27;re the first Filipino artist na ipo-produce ng Live Nation. So, that&#x27;s big. For me, I&#x27;ve always been open, and it was just a matter of &#x27;Is there anyone who can bring everyone together?” Rico said during the interview.</p><p>During their rehearsals, the members shared how they felt nostalgic and at the same time observed some changes and improvements amongst themselves. </p><p>“When I listened to the song and I had to review the song, it felt like, I was like parang twelve,” Bamboo said.</p><p>He added: “It felt like we’re messing around, like, (in) certain songs we were like goofy voices.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1OL5MAreTa/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A3981166.7000000477%2C%22ls%22%3A2864061.100000024%2C%22le%22%3A2864064%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="512" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>“Everyone’s better,” Rico joked around as he recalled their rehearsals for the past few months.</p><p>“Yung ibang bands, &#x27;di ba, &#x27;pag nag-reunion sila, 20 years, 30 years, iba na &#x27;yung tuning nila. Mababa na,&quot; Nathan said. </p><p>&quot;Ito hindi eh, mas tumaas pa. Mga siraulo &#x27;tong mga to. Certain songs, mas tumaas pa!&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="http://WATCH: Rivermaya members meet up ahead of reunion concert" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>READ: Rivermaya members meet up ahead of reunion concert</u></strong></a></div><p>When asked if the reunion would lead to the band performing together again, the members expressed that they were simply enjoying the chance to perform together.</p><p>“Happy lang ako na may new era sa friendship namin, sorry to be senti guys, but mas excited ako doon na we are in touch again and where everyone’s cool,” Rico shared.</p><p>The much-awaited reunion concert is set to happen on February 17 at SMDC Concert Grounds in Paranaque.</p>

<p><i>The Rivermaya reunion concert became extra special as the band marks its 30th year in the industry.</i></p>

The Rivermaya reunion concert became extra special as the band marks its 30th year in the industry.

Bamboo says upcoming Rivermaya concert ‘never an easy decision’: ‘Sometimes maganda ‘yun eh’

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Bamboo says upcoming Rivermaya concert ‘never an easy decision’: ‘Sometimes maganda ‘yun eh’

Nikka Sabio

Published January 14, 2024 04:45 PM PHT

Read More:

​Rivermaya

Bamboo Mañalac

Rico Blanco

Mark Escueta

Nathan Azarcon

reunion concert

Live Nation

OPM rock band

celebrity news

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