RiverMaya Update

ok..this is for michelle…taglish nga lang…before i got into this state of boredom, the two last events i went to were kuya daniel’s concert and the 2007 14th NU rock awards..i would not miss those events for the world!..it was my first time to be at the NU rock awards…i was starstrucked but the same time i was like—”i dont have time to care if i see that bamboo has just arrived or that the vocalist of chicosci was just sitting at the backstage after an opening performance”…but really…it was awesome!!!..anyway…our first interview was with rivermaya after mark escueta–the drummer—who got a tie of best drummer with vic mercado,from bamboo…and their performance with jayson fernandez–the new addition to the band….

for a brief intro–as far i know,….rumors about rico blanco leaving the group was unclear..until we saw mark escueta at the album launch of julianne…i didnt have the courage to do the interview back then..since i thought they’re hard to reach–but turned out to be fine..he confirmed the truth ..according to mark..though not the exact words..and based on the things that i could remember–and correct me if i’m wrong–hindi naging malinaw sa grupo ang pag alis ni rico…i read in the news that rico wanted to explore his artistic side..but i dont think that it’s reason enough for him to leave a group who’s already on the verge of an international success!..one could feel that mark was in pain and that he’s trying so hard to be strong not only for himself but for the fans of rivermaya..dating back to history, the original members of the group were nathan azarcon and rico blanco…mark joined just years after..but now, mark remains to still stand up for the group together with his bandmates..after a few weeks, we were at the HUMAN fashion show where rico blanco was an endorser/designer…the media people were in dismay..i just didnt know if he really did not want to be interviewed…or whatever..basta..we did not bother anyway…

then…rivermaya had an open audition for a new member….i was able to ask mark for an update..he was at the time one of the judges for Musikhero..he said that they are looking for a new bandmate..but not necessarily a lead vocalist..as all of them will be singing already..i asked if it’s just ok for them to have a girl groupmate..and he said it was just fine…they were halfway through the audition and it was doing great..i also got to ask mr. francis reyes, the chief announcer for NU107 and a band member of the dawn..he was one of the judges in finding the perfect person o be on the band…he said that one of the qualities they were looking for is his good character aside from the fact that looks may be of big help…he was referring to jayson fernandez…who won the hearts of the judges…the girl who got in the top 12 or so..did not make it..she was, however, really talented….but she was more of a solo artist than a bandmate for maya…

and so came the NU rock awards…it was jayson’s first…and he did quite good!after they came down from the stage, i approached him and asked if we could do an interview…i was actually contented to be asking just him..but he shyly said that i got to ask their manager, ms. lizza nakpil..she was kind enough to let us interview the band in a well lighted space..:)….jayson was a typical shy boy…he was very naive…it’s really good that when he was asked how he felt upon winning..he never failed to thank God and the people who supported him..”marami ang nagtataka kung bakit si jayson ang napili nyo…” according to mark, “bakit hindi??..naging mahirap yung desisyon…”ang hinahanap lang naman namin ay yung taong mamahalin yung banda…”… i need not to elaborate….i  think mark is always emotional when it comes to the band…but i can see that he is happy with the way things turned out..they are now in the process of making their new album. it will be out by january 2008. the band never fails to thank all those who supported them through thick and thin..sandwich,spongecola, parokya ni edgar, imago..they were just one of the few friends who made them feel good..and let them know that they’re always there to support…one more thing..rivermaya are in good terms with bamboo…

well..these are all for now..i just hope anyone who reads this will learn something worthwhile..:)