Five on Friday: Rivermaya Pinoy Rock Anthems

Liwanag sa dilim?

It seems Rico Blanco has indeed left Rivermaya and will be on his own from now on, so here’s a list of five rock anthems we’ll always sing as we remember Rivermaya, Ang Banda ng Bayan.

  1. Awit Ng Kabataan
    Hindi niyo kami mabibilang,
    at hindi rin maikakahon
    Marami kami ngunit iisa lamang
    ang aming pasyon.

  2. Liwanag Sa Dilim
    Ituring ang iyong sariling
    Tagahawi ng ulap
    Sa kalangitang kulimlim
    Kampanang yayanig
    Sa bawat nilalang
    Magigising ang lupang
    Kulang sa dilig.

  3. Umaaraw, Umuulan
    Wag kang maawa sa iyong sarili
    Isipin na wala ka nang silbi
    ‘Sang dambuhalang kalokohan.

    Bukas sisikat ding muli ang araw
    Ngunit para lang sa may tiyagang
    Maghintay.

  4. Isang Bandila
    Wag kang mabahala sa kahol ng mga aso
    Ligtas ang pag-asang nakasakay sa ating mga palad at balikat
    ‘Wag mong patulan, ‘wag mong sakyan ang mga talangka
    Panis ang angas sa respeto’t pagpapakumbaba
    Walang matayog na pangarap
    Sa bayang may sipag at t’yaga.

  5. Alab Ng Puso
    Ika’y matutumba
    Ika’y masasawi
    Mabibilangan ka ngunit babangon kang muli.

    Walang maniniwala
    Walang makikinig
    Wala na raw pag-asa’ng daigdig mong tagilid
    Padadala ka ba sa agos o hindi?

Inspiring music, isn’t it? And that’s just the rock anthems, not the love–inspired hits the band and Rico does just as well. I guess this is how we want to remember Rivermaya from now on, let the name just burn out, not fade away. Salamat, Rivermaya!

13 Responses

  1. Ok din tong passage from Alab ng Puso:

    Lumuha ka,
    Kung hindi mapigilan ang tuwa
    Matagal ka nag-hintay kaibigan
    Umawit ka, paabutin mo sa langit
    Ang tamis ng sandaling ibinigay!

    Goosebumps-maker!

  2. Rico, oo nga lupit ng part na yan! I like the buildup of the song in how it changes from a raw hard sound and becomes beautifully melodic at the end; same goes for the lyrics that becomes calmer as the song concludes. Astig!

  3. Judging from the list, you seem to have liked Rivermaya more sans Bamboo. Interesting. I’ve never met someone who felt that way. hehe

  4. “At sa pag-tulog ng gabi
    Maririnig and dasal
    Ng kabataang uhaw
    Sa tunay na pagmamahal”

    …sabay lead ni perf 😀 nakakamiss! I’ve watched them sing this live so many times.

  5. i was about to txt u when i heard the news, and i wondered if it’s just a prank.

    i guess i don’t need to tell you how i feel about it, ku.

  6. @benj: That list is just for the rock anthems. It doesn’t include the cheesier love–themed hits. I think they released less love songs after Bamboo’s departure.

    @nanet: Ganda nga ng part na yan! Though I think they were much better when Perf left. 😉

    @weng: Sad gyud sa? 🙁

  7. hi benj. maybe markku is like me 🙂 i’m one of those who didnt care for the original cheesy rivermaya much (i’m an eheads and wolfgang fan) but became a rivermaya convert the minute rico blanco filled in the vocalist spot. a lot of my musician friends i remember got into rivermaya as well only after they released the free album with rico on vox.

    i’m devastated that rico’s leaving music scene for good……. 🙁

    maybe he lost the challenge coz hes got nothin to prove no more but i hope he comes back.

  8. ^ Interesting, I was big Wolfgang and Razorback fan. Never was an Eheads fan. When my band was just starting out, I remember covering “Liwanag Sa Dilim” at some school gig. hahaha

  9. @questions: I think Rico got tired of it all and wants a fresh start where he has complete creative control, without hurting the artistic egos of his friends/bandmates.

    @benj: Well, most Wolfgang and Razorback fans were never eheads fans, if you know what I mean. 😉

  10. we dont have to judge Rico’s exit, it happens to everybody who’s in a band. Rico is defenitely a fine gentleman and intellegent he wouldn’t come up with that move without an intellegent reason..its always gonna happen, break-up is certain! im in a band and i understand the nature..when things are no loger working the same it certainly wont fit..you know what i’m saying! lets all move on..adios!

  11. rock on JAPS,MIKE,&MARK…
    your the true MAYA..
    and for RICO, goodluck dude..
    you Guys gave pride to the country,,,

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