PEP Exclusive: Rico Blanco leaves Rivermaya

Vocalist and guitarist Rico Blanco has left Rivermaya, a reliable source told the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), confirming a rumor that has been circulating for weeks. "But that's all I am ready to say at the moment. We are still reeling from the shocks," the source, who is very close to the group, said. The group, the source said, is currently in shock. Final act The whispers about the group's disbanding got louder during a gig last May 4 at the Metro Bar, where they played with Sandwich and Pupil. In a message posted by The Dawn's drummer, J.B. Leonor, in their web mailing list, he said that guitarist Francis Reyes got a text message early in the morning of May 4, saying that Rivermaya was breaking up and would have their last show later that evening. Francis went to Metro Bar that night and texted J.B. after a couple of hours: "Confirmed! It's Rivermaya's last gig!!! They're breaking up!" Signs of goodbyes According to those present at the show, a nostalgic Rico said that the gig was memorable because it was held at the same place where an inexperienced Rivermaya played its first ever gig as an opening act for the legendary Eraserheads. (Metro Bar was known as Kampo during the '90s.) Spectators also noted Rico's happiness that night sharing the bill once more with former E-heads members Ely Buendia (now with Pupil) and Raimund Marasigan (now part of Sandwich). An intense Rico, in the middle of performing "Umaaraw, Umuulan," reportedly shouted, "Isang huling malupit!" Rivermaya's bassist Japs Sergio then seconded by telling the crowd, "Lakasan n'yo pa, huli na ‘to!" However, neither the bar management or any the band members issued a official statement was validating the split — until recently. The aftermath In the heels of the main man's departure came another rumor saying that the talented singer-songwriter would pursue a solo career and would be known simply as "Blanco." Before Rico's decision to leave the band, Rivermaya has been doing very well in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and in Singapore. At the moment, there's still no confirmation on whether Rivermaya would carry on without Rico or just disband. There are unconfirmed reports that remaining members — Mike Elgar (guitars), Japs Sergio (bass), and Mark Escueta (drums) — will launch a reality-based TV search to find a replacement. The Australian rock band INXS did the same thing to find a replacement for its original lead singer, Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997. But some local music experts expressed doubt that Rivermaya would still have a future. "Rivermaya survived the departure of Perf de Castro, Bamboo Mañalac, and Nathan Azarcon simply because they're not the chief songwriter," one music journalist said. "Rico was the most important component of that band because he supplied the hits. It was the same when Ely (Buendia) left the Eraserheads. Inasmuch as the other members wanted to continue, they just found it hard to fill in that huge void," he added. Blanco authored most of Rivermaya's well-loved hits such as "214," "Bring Me Down," "Awit ng Kabataan," "Elesi," "Kisapmata," "Balisong," and "241," among many others. - MICHAEL ANCHETA, Philippine Entertainment Portal