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Rivermaya making waves in Asia

THE YEAR just past is once again a very successful year for the popular band, Rivermaya, which continues to make waves in many parts of Asia. In the process, they received numerous awards from local and international tribute-giving bodies.

Also, their much-awaited album titled Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo which includes the hit song, "Isang Bandila," was released in the last quarter of 2006.

Indeed before the year ended, Rivermaya raised the Philippine flag in Asia anew, after making a triumphant tour of Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. The group, which is admiringly called the "People's Band" by their legions of fans, also performed in Ulsan, South Korea last December 17.

It goes without saying that the hit band impressed the foreign audiences of TV networks and channels throughout the region during the recently concluded 11th Asian TV Awards, held at Suntec City, Singapore. The awards night featured entries from 15 countries across the Asian continent.

The Pinoy band—composed of Rico Blanco (vocals and guitar), Mike Elgar (guitar), Mark Escueta (drums) and Japs Sergio (bass) played to a 20,000-strong crowd at Thailand's biggest rock fest, the Fat Festival, at the huge Challenger Hall of Bangkok's Impact Arena last November.

Rivermaya also performed at the re-launch of Channel V in Singapore, specifically at the exclusive, by-invitation (V) Party in Zouk Singapore which was also participated in by the winner in the Singapore Idol competition as well as by other regional stars from India and Hong Kong. Channel (V) selected Rivermaya as its "Singled Out Artist" for November 2006, the first Filipino band to be given this distinction.

Lastly, the goup rounded up their Southeast and East Asian tour with back-to-back shows. These were in MTV Staying Alive Summit in Jakarta, attended by an overwhelming crowd of 50,000 Indonesian music-lovers, and in the prestigious PL University Fair which was attended by several thousand of students—many of whom were waving Filipino and Indonesian flags during Rivermaya's performance.

Meanwhile, the band has received praises for coming up with a truly inspiring album in Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo—which in these crucial times is said to give Pinoys new hope and inspiration to resurrect Filipino values. For instance, a cut of their music video of Bandila, which is now used by ABS-CBN's late night news programme, has what it takes to be called the new sound of this era.

Cool, melodious, distinct with that unique tribal ring -- these are what set Rivermaya apart from other bands in the Philippines that seem to capitalise on issues about corruption, governance and leadership, and yet sound foreign.