Bamboo (Filipino band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Nathan Azarcon, Bamboo Mañalac |
| Defunct | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Philippines |
Key people | Bamboo Mañalac (lead vocals), Nathan Azarcon (bass guitar, backing vocals), Ira Cruz (lead guitar, backing vocals), Vic Mercado (drums and percussion) |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Bamboo was an alternative rock group from the Philippines, established in 2003 by Nathan Azarcon and Bamboo Mañalac. The lineup consisted of lead singer Mañalac, bassist Azarcon, guitarist Ira Cruz, and drummer Vic Mercado.
Formation of the band
The band’s frontman was Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac. Guitarist Ira Cruz noted that the band's name not only stems from Mañalac's nickname but also represents qualities like resilience, strength, and a connection to Filipino-Asian heritage.
Before forming Bamboo, Mañalac and Azarcon were part of Rivermaya, while Cruz and Mercado had played in Passage. Additionally, Cruz and Azarcon had experience as members of Kapatid. Following Mañalac’s departure from Rivermaya, he reunited with Azarcon, who then introduced him to Cruz and Mercado.
2004–2006
The band's first album, As The Music Plays, was released in February 2004 and quickly garnered both critical praise and fan support, winning several accolades from the AWIT Awards, NU 107 Rock Awards, and MTV Pilipinas. A repackaged edition came out in October 2004.
Their sophomore album, Light Peace Love, arrived on June 4, 2005, comprising ten tracks with varied themes and tones. Recorded within three months, this album embraced a gentler sound featuring strings and trumpets, signaling a more introspective approach. The band explored new musical directions to widen their audience base while risking the alienation of fans who preferred their earlier rock-oriented style.
In the same year, Bamboo represented the Philippines at EMI Music Southeast Asia’s annual regional conference held in Singapore.
2007–2008
Released on February 16, 2007, their third album We Stand Alone Together included covers of local classics such as Buklod's "Tatsulok" alongside international songs like Paul Simon's 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. It also featured unplugged bonus tracks of earlier hits including "Mr. Clay", "These Days", and "Hallelujah". This album marked a stylistic shift toward a jazz-influenced sound departing from their typical rock roots.
Star Music, in cooperation with ABS-CBN and MYX, produced the official soundtrack for the television epic "Rounin", which included Bamboo’s song "Argos". This project was their first partnership with Star Music and their debut contribution to a primetime TV soundtrack. Furthermore, Bamboo joined UNICEF’s "Days of Peace" campaign alongside Gary Valenciano.
Their fourth studio effort, Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday, reached platinum certification on September 28, 2008—just two days after its release. A repackaged version followed in 2010 featuring a DVD containing music videos for its singles.
Break-up
On January 9, 2011, news emerged that Bamboo had officially parted ways. DJ KC Montero of Wave 89.1 confirmed the split during The KC Show and through his Twitter account, mentioning that all members had chosen to move forward individually without providing specific explanations. At that point, no formal announcement had been made by the group itself. Two days later, lead vocalist Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac publicly confirmed the breakup via an official statement on the band’s website.
Reformation as Hijo Excluding Bamboo
Several months following their dissolution, the band regrouped under the name Hijo, this time without lead singer Bamboo Mañalac. The lineup included Nathan Azarcon handling vocals and bass, Ira Cruz on guitar, Vic Mercado playing drums, Junji Lerma from Wahijuara on guitar, and Jay-O Orduña from Cauio contributing keyboards and backing vocals.
Meanwhile, frontman Bamboo Mañalac embarked on a solo path, launching his first solo album in November 2011.
Band members
- Bamboo Mañalac – lead vocals
- Nathan Azarcon – bass guitar, backing vocals, primary songwriter
- Ira Cruz – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Vic Mercado – drums and percussion
Albums
- As The Music Plays (2004) – achieved Double Platinum status (2-disc repackaged edition issued in 2004)
- Light Peace Love (2005) – certified Platinum
- We Stand Alone Together (2007) – earned Gold certification
- Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday (2008) – Platinum certification (2-disc repackaged edition released late 2010)
Compilations
- Full Volume: The Best Of Pinoy Alternative (2005 Polyeast Records) – features "As The Music Plays" (Jam Version)
- Rounin OST (2007 Star Music) – includes the track "Argos"
- Astig...The Biggest OPM Hits (2008 Universal Records)
- Platinum Hits Collection (2011 Polyeast Records)
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Noypi | center|As the Music Plays |
| Mr. Clay | ||
| Masaya | ||
| 2005 | Hallelujah | center|Light Peace Love |
| F.U. | ||
| Much Has Been Said | ||
| Truth | ||
| Peace Man | ||
| 2006 | Argos | Rounin OST |
| 2007 | Tatsulok | center|We Stand Alone Together |
| Probinsyana | ||
| So Far Away | ||
| 2008 | Kailan | center|Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday |
| 2009 | Last Days on a Cruise Ship | |
| Muli | ||
| 2010 | Kalayaan | |
| Bagong Sigaw |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award body | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 89.9 TM Year End Awards | Song of the Year | "Masaya" | Template:Won |
| New Local Artist | N/A | Template:Won | ||
| 93.1 RX Year End Awards | Song of the Year | "Noypi" | Template:Won | |
| New Local Artist of the Year | N/A | Template:Won | ||
| Group of the Year | N/A | Template:Won | ||
| MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Favorite New Artist in a Video | "Noypi" | Template:Won | |
| Favorite Song | "Noypi" | Template:Won | ||
| Favorite Group Video | "Noypi" | Template:Won | ||
| Guitarist of the Year | Ira Cruz | Template:Won | ||
| NU Rock Awards | Artist of the Year | N/A | Template:Won | |
| Song of the Year | "Noypi" | Template:Won | ||
| Vocalist of the Year | Bamboo Mañalac | Template:Won | ||
| Drummer of the Year | Vic Mercado | Template:Won | ||
| Listener's Choice | N/A | Template:Won |
| Year | Award body | Category | Work | Result |
|---|
Commercial endorsements
- Smart
- Nescafé
- Colt 45
- Pepsi
- Yamaha Motors
- Tanduay Rhum T5 (alongside 6cyclemind, Chicosci, Kamikazee, and Sandwich)
References
- Official Bamboo Website
- Bamboo profile on Onlypinoy.com
- Vic Mercado at Zildjian
- Vic Mercado on Gretsch Drums
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