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Jason Fernandez former Rivermaya lead vocalist is one of the most influential and critically acclaimed Filipino rock bands in the Philippines. Formed in 1994, they are one of the several bands who spearheaded the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion. Rivermaya is currently composed of Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Ryan Peralta and Norby David. Former members included Rico Blanco, who had been the original songwriter of the band, and vocalist Bamboo Mañalac, who later formed the band Bamboo. Rivermaya is the fourteenth biggest-selling artists/act in the Philippines.

Formation and early years (1993)
The first line-up consisted of Jesse Gonzales on vocals, Kenneth Ilagan on guitars, Nathan Azarcon on bass guitar, Rome Velayo on drums, and Rico Blanco on keyboards and backing vocals. They were managed by Lizza Nakpil and director Chito Roño who had the intention of molding the group into a rock show band. The band was then called Xaga. Classic line-up and mainstream success (1994–2001)

 Bamboo Mañalac, the lead vocalist of Rivermaya from 1994 to 1998 and its original frontman.
In the process of grueling practice sessions, Ilagan was replaced with Perfecto "Perf" de Castro; Azarcon's childhood friend, Mark Escueta, to replace Velayo, as well as former classmate Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac to replace Gonzales. With Bamboo as frontman, the band members themselves decided to disband Xaga and form the band Rivermaya. They started putting together original songs like "Ulan" [Rain], "214", and "Awit ng Kabataan" [Song of the Youth] (mostly composed by Rico Blanco) in demo form for prospective recording companies.

 By November 1994, the band had released its first album, the self-titled Rivermaya, and its first single, "Ulan"; followed by "214". Critically praised for its fresh, excitingly new pop/rock sound, the album went on to become one of the best acts in the 1990s.

Citing artistic differences, Perf de Castro was adamant in leaving the group and returned to his project band "The Blues Trio," a band later renamed "Axis" until its final inception as "Triaxis."

 The band's second album Trip, followed with the singles "Kisapmata" [Blink of an Eye], "Himala" [Miracle], "Flower", "Princess of Disguise" and "Panahon Na Naman" [It's Time Once Again]. Whilce Portacio, creator of the X-Men's "Bishop" and co-founder of Image Comics, designed the album art for Trip.

 In 1997, the band released its third album, Atomic Bomb, with the single "Hinahanap-hanap Kita" [Always Searching For You]. The album gained positive responses from listeners and received heavy airplay from radio stations. During this period, Rivermaya also released the Rivermaya Remixed album, put together with the help of DJ Toti Dalmacion of Groove Nation.



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Travelling to the Davao


Departure of Jayson Fernandez (2011)
On August 28, 2011, after months of speculation, Jayson Fernandez stated that he had left Rivermaya after 4 years with the group citing musical differences as the primary reason.[5] Paolo Valenciano (son of Gary Valenciano) and Vinci Montaner of Parokya ni Edgar simultaneously filled in as temporary lead vocalists for some occasional gigs weeks after Fernandez's departure. Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar and Norby David now simultaneously switch over the lead vocal duties.

 After taking a brief hiatus, on November of 2012, Japs Sergio posted on his official Facebook page that he left Rivermaya, in order to pursue his new band, Peso Movement. On March 19, 2013, Rivermaya released the album Panatang Makabanda ['Oath for the Band Passionates'
Band members
->Current members
Mark Escueta – lead vocals, guitars, occasional drums & percussions (2011–present); drums & percussions, trumpet, occasional guitars (1994–2011)

 Mike Elgar – lead vocals (2011–present); guitars (2001–present); keyboards (2007–2011)
Norby David – lead vocals, bass guitar, occasional guitars (acoustic) (2011–present)
Ryan Peralta – drums & percussions, keyboards, backing vocals (2011–present)


In February 22, 2011, Rivermaya's official Facebook page announce that they will release their music video titled "Remenis" [Reminisce] and will formally introduce their new members, Ryan Peralta and Norby David of the band Overtone.


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LATEST NEWS

It all began in March 5, 1989 when Jason gave his first shout out at the former Manila Lying Hospital along Taft Avenue in Manila. His parents were Juvy Fernandez, an OFW and George Cristodolous a Greek national living in Cyprus. Growing up in his mother and grandmother’s care, life was difficult. At one point they had to move to Bicol just to make ends meet. But even if they didn’t have a lot, they would still find ways of entertaining themselves. Like when Jason was five years old, he would pretend to hold concerts by turning his bed into a stage and arranging chairs around it. It must have been these pretend play performance that his mother must have seen glimpses of Jason’s talent. But it wasn’t until he was seven that she entered Jason in his first singing contest. His interpretation of Gary V.’s “Natutulog ba ang Diyos” won over the judges and he walk away as the winner.
From then on, he continued to join more singing contest in schools and fiestas. He remembers one time he was just at home watching TV. His mother came in to the room and told him to get dress quickly. It turns out she entered him into a contest at the last minute. Without any rehearsal he joined the contest and won! It was through these contests though, that Jason managed to gain experience in performing and hone his natural talent in singing.
Upon reaching high school, he started learning how to play the guitar and drums. It was also during the same time that he started forming and joining different bands. While he would still sing ballads in contest, he began exploring different musical genre such as rock and acoustic pop. His style would be influence by 90′s rock and roll. It was also during this time that he began joining different bands and would enter different band competitions. But often he and his band mates would always lose. That is until he joined the heavy metal band that he finally made it as a rockstar.
It was in 2007 that someone told him that the band Rivermaya was looking for a new lead singer. What made it interesting is that the audition would be done in the form of a reality TV show. At first Jason hesitated whether he should join or not, but he eventually did at the last moment. The odds were daunting as the audition attracted 500 aspiring rockstars all wanting to be the band’s new front man. The number of applicants was then cut down to 82 and then the final twelve final contestants. Funny thing was, Jason was not even part of the final twelve. But the show producers decided to make it thirteen rather than twelve finalists in the final elimination rounds. Because of this, Jason was able to make it in to the show






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NEW SHOW DATES ANNOUNCED

"Ulan" was the first single released off this album, during the last quarter of 1993.

 "214" is a pop rock/ ballad song, released as the second official single. It went to number one spot in various charts in the Philippines. It replaced Eraserheads hit song "With a Smile" in N.U. 107.5 on 1994.

 "Awit the Kabataan", a folk, pop rock anthem, was released as the third single.

 "Bring Me Down", a duet with Rico Blanco and Bamboo Manalac both on vocals, was released as the final single.
This album was critically praised for its fresh, excitingly-new pop/rock sound. It become one of the best sellers in the 1990s.

 International success (2004–2007)
The band found a variety of partners who commissioned such works as "Liwanag sa Dilim" [Light In The Dark], "Posible" [Possible] (Southeast Asian Games' Athletes Anthem) and "You'll Be Safe Here".

 "You'll Be Safe Here", originally created as the theme for the ABS-CBN TV series Spirits (directed by Rivermaya co-manager Chito S. Rono) would be the song to take Rivermaya outside the country. Released as an EP by Warner Music Philippines, it also became the song that MTV Asia selected for performance at the 2006 Asia Awards. Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child introduced the group, and they were backed up by Thailand’s Royal Symphony Orchestra during live performance. It was the first time that a Filipino band was invited to perform in the said event.


An album of compiled works, titled "You'll Be Safe Here", is distributed in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

 Rivermaya embarked on a series of Asian tours, including at Thailand's Pattaya Music Fest (2008, 2009) as well as Singapore's Mosaic Festival (run by The Esplanade); and Bangkok's Fat Fest as well as in Indonesia's MTV Staying Alive show.

 In the Philippines, the Rivermaya Greatest Hits 2006 album on Viva Records was followed by an album dedicated to its music heroes: Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo ['One Root, One Blood'].

 At the end of March 2007, Rivermaya scored again another first for the Philippines as their videos, "You'll Be Safe Here" and the recent video remake "Balisong" were chosen as the first Asian artists to have full-length music videos featured on the Star World Channel.

 In 2008–2009 Rivermaya performed at the Marina Bay New Years' Countdown in Singapore and became the first Filipino band invited to perform at the 2009 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.

 Rivermaya is also often referred to as "Banda ng Bayan" [The Band of the Nation], a nickname they share with Parokya ni Edgar.



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