Rivermaya makes an appearance on “Asap Natin ‘To.” Image: YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment
It was an unforgettable moment of nostalgia as the original members of the 90s rock band Rivermaya made their TV comeback on the Sunday noontime show “ASAP Natin ‘To.”
Bamboo Mañalac, Rico Blanco, Mark Escueta, and Nathan Azarcon brought fans to their feet with a performance of their 1997 song “Elesi” during the show’s Jan. 14 episode, as seen on the show’s official X (formerly Twitter) page.
“Experience the ultimate reunion of 90s OPM legends, Rivermaya, on ‘ASAP Natin ‘To!’” the post read.
Experience the ultimate reunion of 90s OPM legends, Rivermaya, on ASAP Natin ‘To! #ASAPfest pic.twitter.com/JrWnqaiDMi
— ASAP Natin ‘To (@ASAPOfficial) January 14, 2024
X user @ALTiWantTFC also shared a screen recording of the band’s performance on their account.
GRABE YUNG RIVERMAYA!!!!! BAMBOO AND RICO BLANCO IN ONE STAGE HUHUHU
ANG GANDA RIN NA MAY PA-LIVE AUDIENCE SA ASAP STUDIO!!!!!
RIVERMAYA ON ASAP#Rivermaya #ASAPfest pic.twitter.com/oJ60ksuN6Q
— alt iWantTFC (@ALTiWantTFC) January 14, 2024
The members of the OPM rock band will hold a reunion concert at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque on Feb. 17.
Rivermaya was formed in 1994, and was composed of Blanco, Mañalac, Escueta, Azarcon, and Perf de Castro. The group remains active up to this day with Escueta and Azarcon remaining from its original lineup.
Escueta and Azarcon are also joined by Mike Elgar and Aiman Borres, with Borres serving as a touring member.
De Castro was the first to leave the band in 1995, while Mañalac and Blanco parted ways from Rivermaya in 1998 and 2007.