SEVEN DAYS TO GO AND COUNTING.....!!!!

After a grueling two months search for the right brother, the newest member of Rivermaya joins the family on Wednesday, October 24th, at a grand finals night at the Music Musuem.

(The invitational event, presented by Smart, Samsung, and San Miguel Beer in cooperation with PLDT and Human, will be broadcast in a 2-hour special on Sunday, October 28th, at 9:15 pm exclusively on Studio 23)

Following the unexplained and unexpected departure of former frontman Rico Blanco, on the eve of the band’s launch of a second Asian album, the music scene was full of rumors that the band that had ruled the airwaves for 14 years was set to finally disband.

However, in a stunning turn of events, Rivermaya members, including founding member Mark Escueta alongside Japs Sergio and Mike Elgar, announced that they would forge on.

So many text messages, email, phone calls from fans and fellow musicians made up our minds that we should never give up, said Mark. It gave new meaning to the words banda ng bayan because we realized that the real heart and soul of Rivermaya are all the people who have supported us through the years.

An energized Rivermaya went on to release not just a CD entitled Bagong Liwanag featuring songs written and sung by Mark, Japs, and Mike but also launched a tv show with the same title on Studio 23.

The show has attracted a cult following among both music fans and the general public who have followed the rollercoaster ride of the banda ng bayan for over a decade.

(For updates, log on to www.mypad.net or dial 1-908-RMYA-888.)

Rivermaya’s friends from the OPM band scene, including Sandwich and The Dawn, Stonefree, Imago, Callalily, and Spongecola share topbilling for the Bagong Liwanag grand finals night.

Hosts for the evening are MYX veejay Sanya Smith (daughter of the legendary Pepe Smith of Juan dela Cruz fame) and fellow veejay Drei plus other surprise guests.

This Sunday, Oct 21st, the number of finalists goes down to just two. And Rivermaya fanatics may now start voting for their choice of the next member of the Rivermaya family, alongside Mark, Mike and Japs.

Voting starts on Sunday, Oct 21st, at 9 pm and runs till Wednesday, Oct 24th, 12 noon.

Simply text VOTE (SPACE) FINALIST CODE NUMBER and send to 2910 to let your voice be heard on this historic decision day.

It’s D for Decision as the grand finals of Rivermaya : Bagong Liwanag looms on Wednesday, Oct 24th at a strictly invitational concert at Music Musuem.

The finals night – and the results of who will be the next member of Rivermaya – will be broadcast on Sunday, Oct. 28th on Studio 23 at 9.15 pm in a 2-hour special.

Rivermaya’s friends from the OPM band scene, including Sandwich and The Dawn, Stonefree, Imago, Callalily, and Spongecola share topbilling for the event.

Hosts for the evening are MYX veejay Sanya Smith (daughter of the legendary Pepe Smith of Juan dela Cruz fame) and fellow veejay Drei plus other surprise guests.

This Sunday, the number of finalists goes down to just two – and Rivermaya fanatics may now start voting for their choice of the next member of the Rivermaya family, alongside Mark, Mike and Japs.

Voting starts on Sunday, Oct 21, at 9 pm and runs till Wednesday, Oct 24th, 12 noon.

Simply text VOTE (SPACE) FINALIST CODE NUMBER and send to 2910 to let your voice be heard on this historic decision day.