Well this is a first for Rivermaya. This is the first time that the band would be releasing a repackaged edition of their album that would contain a DVD. The last time Rivermaya included videos in their Audio CD releases was the Rivermaya Live and Acoustic way back in 2002. So this comes as a surprise. This also means that Panatang Makabanda has been successful enough to warrant a new release. Notable inclusions in this repackaged album are:
Music Videos of Tayo Lang Dalawa, Malayang Magmahal, and Pilipinas Kelan Ka Magigising
Lyric Videos
Outtakes
Live Performances
and more...
I'm excited for this release. But one thing that I hope gets to be released in the future is the Rivermaya Bagong Liwanag auditions DVD. I know hopes of having those episodes seen in Studio 23 gets released are slim, but I would love to see those episodes gets releases one day. That was the vocalist auditions that Rivermaya did when Rico Blanco left the band. The auditions netted them Jayson Fernandez who has since left Rivermaya before Panatang Makabanda was recorded and released.
Rico Blanco seems to like making cameo appearances in horror themed movies/tv shows. Last seen in ABS CBN's Imortal T.V. Series and Star Cinema's Segunda Mano movie, Rico is at it again with a new horror/action movie with a title borrowed from Rico's old hit song from Rivermaya, Liwanag Sa Dilim. Rico also used this occasion to breath new life to the song by giving us a new rendition of the song post Rivermaya Rico Blanco style. The new rendition pretty much adheres to the type of songs Rico has been making lately.
The full version of the song can be heard through Deezer.
If Rico Blanco is with Giordano, Bamboo is with Jag Jeans. In a 30 seconder raging sexy rock video, Bamboo showcases Jag Black Jeans partnered with a foreign looking model. Bamboo also recently has been tapped to be Jollibee's new fast food menu, the Garlic Pepper Beef. Check out the commercial below.
I just recently came across with a Rivermaya song that was made specifically for toddlers and kindergarten. Teamed up with Mark Escueta's wife Magdangal, Rivermaya releases a playful song fit for the intended audience. Entitled Reading Books/Magbasa ng Libro and beautifully sang by the husband and wife tandem of Mark Escueta and Jolina Magdangal, the song is a back to back English and alternate Filipino version that teaches the children to learn to enjoy reading books.
Check out a sample of the song below (Filipino Version).
The Jooma Jam Vol. 1 compilation album boasts a stellar all-star line up of Filipino musicians from different genres to help our kids enjoy education and music.
For more info about the album and how to purchase the song, visit their website at: http://joomajam.com/
JB Music and Sports, the country's leading specialty store when it comes to musical instruments and accessories just held their 40th year anniversary last Dec. 1, 2014, at Valkyrie, the Palace, Uptown BGC. During their anniversary celebration, they honored 40 of the most influential names in the Philippine Music Scene. From great
rock institutions like Saguijo and Tracks, eternal classics such as The
Dawn, The Eraserheads and Juan Dela Cruz to the fresh talent that have
kept the scene alive such as Up Dharma Down and Urbandub and more. Among those named were Rivermaya and most probably Rico Blanco too (a full list is yet to be released as of this writing). I will be waiting for the complete list and post it here as soon as it becomes available.
For the meantime, check out some photos of Rivermaya and Rico Blanco below.
(All Photos Taken from JB Music and Sports Facebook Page)
Yes this was Rivermaya after Rico's departure, Jayson is the third guy from the left
Jayson who? For the uninitiated, a few months after Rico Blanco's departure from Rivermaya, the remaining band members (namely Mark Escuete, Mike Elgar, and Japs Sergio) conducted a reality tv show like search for the next Rivermaya frontman. A guy named Jayson Fernandez emerged as the winner and spent four years and two studio albums with the band before surprisingly leaving the band to pursue a solo career. Details of the break up was sketchy, but it wasn't as high profile as Bamboo and Rico's departure. Nevertheless, Rivermaya (as expected) survives another break up and is now going strong with their current lineup.
Now, since the Rivermaya departure, Jayson was able to release one solo album (that's going to be a separate entry on this blog) that ended up on the clearance bins. His resurfacing in the Voice Philippines audition with no less than original Rivermaya front man Bamboo Manalac as one of the judges made me interested to watch the audition. To see the results of the blind audition, check out the video below:
Now if he'll actually win the competition or not remains to be seen. And it's APL (of Black Eyed Peas fame) job to coach Jayson to make it to the top. Too bad for him though that Bamboo didn't turn his chair.
As a teenager, one of the most highly popular clothing brand that I used to wear was the Giordano Classic. It was simple, yet fashionable to be seen with the Classic logo on the shirt's left chest. Currently, Rico Blanco is now a part of Giordano's efforts to relaunch the brand. Signed as Giordano's brand ambassador to their World Without Strangers campaign, Rico's transition from a Rockstar to become a multimedia icon has never felt an upswing. Giordano has also recently released The World Without Strangers music video as sand and written by Rico Blanco. Check it out below.
