Announcing their reunion concert last 2023, 90s OPM band Rivermaya featuring Bamboo Mañalac, Mark Escueta, Nathan Azarcon, and Rico Blanco gears up for the much-anticipated event. 

After Bamboo and Rico left the group to pursue solo careers, the band remained active under the care of Mark and Nathan. In 2022, Rivermaya released a song called "Casino."  

But with the return of Bamboo and Rico to the group, fans are curious: will the band record a new song? 

During an intimate roundtable interview with Rivermaya, Bamboo, and Rico shared that they are mainly focused on the current concert. 

"I think we got our hands full right now," Rico said. 

"I don't want to think of anything right now; this concert is in full play, di ba? Ito lang yung focus namin right now. I promise you, last night, after our rehearsals, I went home, laid in bed, and 40 minutes in tumutugtog pa rin yung songs sa isip ko; that's how it goes," Bamboo said. 

(I don't want to think of anything right now; this concert is in full play, right? This is our only focus right now. I promise you, last night, after our rehearsals, I went home, laid in bed, and for 40 minutes, the songs were still playing in my mind; that's how it goes) 

The original lineup, which rose to fame in 1994, consisted of Bamboo, Nathan, Mark, Rico, and Perf de Castro. They started making waves in the OPM scene with their notable songs Ulan, 214, Hinahanap Hanap Kita, Elesi, and Awit ng Kabataan.

Up to this day, Rivermaya songs are still a banger to their fans. 

Reuniting on stage after 25 years 

Aside from their comeback, this reunion is notable for the band because they will be the first OPM band that Live Nation Philippines will produce. 

According to Bamboo, doing the concert is like giving thanks to all the fans who supported them throughout their years together. 

"And I say naiintindihan ko yung fans like how we sort off left things unfinished. This concert resolves it, a form of thank you because they've been clamoring for years, the fans have been wanting this for so long," Bamboo shared. 

(And I understand the fans like how we sort off left things unfinished. This concert resolves it as a form of thank you because they've been clamoring for years; the fans have wanted this for so long.) 

Mark Escueta, who's been active with the band ever since added that he's very thankful for all the fans who waited patiently for them to reunite on stage. 

"Sobrang thankful kami lalo na yung matagal ng nagrerequest para sa show na ito, kasi years na talaga and hindi sila napagod sa kakahintay. So thankful kami for that and excited kami makita sila ulit," Mark said. 

(We are incredibly thankful to those who have been requesting this show for a long time because it has been years, and they are not tired of waiting. So we are grateful for that, and we are excited to see them again.) 

Rico also added performing with his former band is like riding a bike.

"As a musician, talagang there's sense of fullfilment kapag magagaling yung kasama mo, I don't know how many rehearsals we had, while we're playing iniisip ko. Wow, this is why we did a lot of nice stuff back then because of the instincts or the chemistry we have, it's like they are making me sound better," Rico said.

(As a musician, there's really a sense of fulfillment when your group is good; I don't know how many rehearsals we had while we're playing. Wow, that's why we did many good things back then. It's because of our instincts or chemistry; it's like they make me sound better.) 

As per Bamboo, he agrees that keeping their chemistry as a band keeps them intact despite not being together for a long time.

"Chemistry, that's what our band has. We sort of out lean on each other," Bamboo added. 

Regarding preparations for the concert, the band shared that this is their first time to experience handling the list of songs they will be playing. 

"I think kami yung musical director for this concert," Mark said. 

(I think we are the musical director for this concert)

"We're also working with Live Nation; they are hooking us up with an international team for the creative direction and production. So it's our first time to experience this kind of event," Rico added. 

They've also mentioned that it's easier for them now to work together since they want to make the concert fun and nostalgic for the fans. 

"It's easier now because we've matured. It's easier now to handle our artistic directions, and honestly, it's kinda surprising that we can still play our songs while we are doing first rehearsals," Bamboo shared. 

Aside from the roundtable interview, the band also treated members of the press as they performed their song "If" during rehearsals. 

Rivermaya: The Reunion concert is presented by Live Nation Philippines and is scheduled for Feb. 17 at the SMDC Festival Grounds. Tickets are available via SM Tickets, with prices ranging from VIP at P14,750 to Bronze at P2,550, promising an unforgettable musical experience and the ultimate '90s nostalgia.