Iconic Filipino rock band Rivermaya recently thrilled fans with news of a highly-anticipated reunion concert, featuring original members Bamboo Mañalac, Rico Blanco, Mark Escueta, and Nathan Azarcon.
The concert is scheduled to take place on February 17, 2024, at the SMDC Festival Grounds, marking a significant moment for fans who had been eagerly awaiting the return of the band’s classic lineup.
The announcement of the reunion concert brought immense joy to fans who had been clamoring for a reunion since the early 2000s. Many had almost given up hope of witnessing the original Rivermaya members sharing the same stage again. As a result, the news came as a pleasant surprise, sparking excitement among devoted fans.
However, the excitement was tinged with disappointment for some fans who noticed the absence of Perfecto “Perf” de Castro, the band’s original guitarist, from the promotional materials for the upcoming concert.
One impassioned Rivermaya fan lamented, “Perfecto de Castro, the songs of the first album need the guitar master,” underlining Perf’s significant contribution to the band’s initial success and expressing a desire to see him participate.
Perfecto “Perf” de Castro, alongside Bamboo, Rico, Mark, and Nathan, was one of the original members of Rivermaya. However, Perf left the band in 1995, Bamboo in 1998, and Rico in 2007. Subsequently, Rivermaya went through several lineup changes over the years, with Mark and Nathan remaining as the only original members.
Rivermaya is renowned for its enduring hits, including ‘214,’ ‘You’ll Be Safe Here,’ ‘Elesi,’ ‘Kisapmata,’ ‘Awit ng Kabataan,’ and ‘Liwanag sa Dilim,’ among others, which have left an indelible mark on the Filipino music scene.
The upcoming reunion concert promises to be a memorable event for fans, but the absence of Perf de Castro has left some longing for his contribution to the band’s classic sound.
