Bamboo Rocks His Long Hair in This Rare Video Unearthed from 1994

OPM icon Cooky Chua was browsing through old files when she came across a very old clip of Rivermaya performing on stage in 1994. 

“I had some free time on my hands last night so I decided to edit files when I came across this in my VHS! Rivermaya 1994 lineup!  I love their music! Good morning!” wrote Chua. 

In the video, Bamboo Manalac is prominently featured as the lead singer of Rivermaya. He rocked “Ulan /Awit ng Kabataan,” two of its singles that catapulted the band to national fame. Bamboo is backed up by Rico Blanco on the keyboards, Mark Escueta on drums, Nathan Azarcon on bass, and Perf de Castro on guitar. Blanco also provided the backup vocals for the two songs. 

In 1994, the band launched their debut titular album Rivermaya, shortly followed by the release of the band’s first single, “Ulan / Awit ng Kabataan.” The two songs were released as a single track in the album, which was why Bamboo sang the two songs as one during their 1994 performance in this video. 

“Ulan” would later become one of the most successful releases of the band, but the second single “214,” also composed by Blanco, would catapult the band into legendary status, dominating the airwaves for months with this one song. 

In 1998, while on tour in the U.S. and during the height of their popularity, Bamboo left the band. His role as lead singer was filled in by the band’s keyboardist Rico Blanco, who would compose most of the band's songs thereafter. In 2007, Blanco announced his departure from the band and forged a successful solo career. 

Today, Rivermaya is composed of Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Nathan Azarcon, and touring member Aiman Borres. Only Escueta and Azarcon remain from the original members of the band.