# Bamboo (Filipino band)

Bamboo was a Filipino alternative rock band formed in 2003 by Nathan Azarcon and Bamboo Mañalac. The band was composed of lead vocalist Mañalac, bassist Azarcon, lead and rhythm guitarist Ira Cruz, and drummer Vic Mercado.

## Band origin

Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac serves as the band's frontman. Ira Cruz, the band's guitarist claimed that the name of the band was not just derived from their vocalist's name but also from the word bamboo, the characteristics of which are associated with strength and durability with an island feel to it. Also, it's very Filipino and Asian at the same time, and coincidentally happens to be Mañalac's nickname.
Two of its members, Bamboo Mañalac and Nathan Azarcon, were formerly part of Rivermaya. The other two members, Ira Cruz and Vic Mercado, were former instrumentalists of another band, Passage. Cruz and Azarcon were also former members of the band Kapatid during that time.
Four years after their departure from Rivermaya, Mañalac and Azarcon caught up again with each other, during which Azarcon introduced him to Cruz and Mercado.

## Music career

Bamboo's debut album, As The Music Plays, was released in February 2004, where it received positive response from fans and critics alike. The album also won numerous awards at the AWIT Awards, NU 107 Rock Awards, and MTV Pilipinas 2004. and a repackaged version release on October 25, 2004.
Their second album, Light Peace Love, which was released on June 4, 2005, consists of ten songs with differing moods and subjects, and took only 3 months to record. This album has a softer sound with both its lyrics and delivery. For this album, the band added more strings and a variety of other instruments, including trumpets. The band admitted that this album had a personal feel to it. They experimented with several new styles that may please new listeners, at the risk of disappointing fans of the more conventional rock of their first album.
on 2005, the band represents the Philippines at EMI Music Southeast Asia three-day annual regional conference in Singapore
Their third album, We Stand Alone Together, was released on February 16, 2007. It contains covers of local songs such as Buklod's "Tatsulok" and international songs such as Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", from different generations. It also includes bonus tracks like unplugged versions of their hit songs from previous albums such as "Mr. Clay", "These Days", and "Hallelujah". Once again, opting to do away with the conventional rock image that was attached to them, they produced sounds which were more jazzy than expected.
Star Music—backed up by ABS-CBN and MYX—produced and created the official soundtrack for the tele-epiko "Rounin", wherein the title track "Argos" was performed by Bamboo. A new avenue was opened to the band, as "Argos" is said to be the band's first venture to record a song for a primetime television show. It is also the first time for the multi-awarded band and Star Music to work together.
The band was also part of the "Days of Peace" Campaign by UNICEF with Gary Valenciano. The band's fourth album, Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday achieved platinum status on September 28, 2008 - just two days after its release.

## Past members

* Bamboo Mañalac – vocals
* Nathan Azarcon – bass guitar, backing vocals, chief songwriter
* Ira Cruz – lead guitar, backing vocals
* Vic Mercado – drums, percussion

## Break-up

News circulated on January 9, 2011, that Bamboo had "allegedly disbanded". DJ KC Montero of Wave 89.1 confirmed the breakup on Wave's The KC Show and via Twitter. Montero clarified that all the members of the band "have decided to move on," and that he does not know why they called it quits. The group has not released an official statement on the issue, according to ABS-CBNNews.com. On January 11, 2011, Bamboo's lead vocalist Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac finally confirmed the breakup of his band in an official statement posted on the group's website.

## Aftermath

A few months after the band disbanded, the group reformed without the vocalist (Bamboo Mañalac) and formed the band Hijo composed of Nathan Azarcon (vocals & bass), Ira Cruz (guitar), Vic Mercado (drums), Junji Lerma of Wahijuara (guitar) and Jay-O Orduña of Cauio (keyboards and backing vocals).
The band's frontman Bamboo Mañalac pursued a solo career and released his first album as a solo artist in November 2011.

## Discography
### Albums

* As The Music Plays (2004) - Double Platinum (A 2-disc Repackaged Version was released in 2004)
* Light Peace Love (2005) - Platinum
* We Stand Alone Together (2007) - Gold
* Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday (2008) - Platinum (A 2-disc Repackaged Version was released in late 2010)

### Compilations

* Full Volume:The Best Of Pinoy Alternative (2005 Polyeast Records)
    includes As The Music Plays (Jam Version)
* Rounin OST (2007 Star Music) :includes Argos
* Astig...The Biggest OPM Hits (2008 Universal Records)
* Platinum Hits Collection (2011 Polyeast Records)

### Singles

| Year | Single | Album |
| 2004 | Noypi | As the Music Plays |
| 2004 | Mr. Clay | As the Music Plays |
| 2004 | Masaya | As the Music Plays |
| 2005 | Hallelujah | Light Peace Love |
| 2005 | F.U. | Light Peace Love |
| 2005 | Much Has Been Said | Light Peace Love |
| 2005 | Truth | Light Peace Love |
| 2005 | Peace Man | Light Peace Love |
| 2006 | Argos | Rounin OST |
| 2007 | Tatsulok | We Stand Alone Together |
| 2007 | Probinsyana | We Stand Alone Together |
| 2007 | So Far Away | We Stand Alone Together |
| 2008 | Kailan | Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday |
| 2009 | Last Days on a Cruise Ship | Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday |
| 2009 | Muli | Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday |
| 2010 | Kalayaan | Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday |
| 2010 | Bagong Sigaw | Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
| 2004 | 89.9 TM Year End Awards | Song of the Year | "Masaya" | Won |
| 2004 | 89.9 TM Year End Awards | New Local Artist | — | Won |
| 2004 | 93.1 RX Year End Awards | Song of the Year | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2004 | 93.1 RX Year End Awards | New Local Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| 2004 | 93.1 RX Year End Awards | Group of the Year | — | Won |
| 2004 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Favorite New Artist in a Video | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2004 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Favorite Song | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2004 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Favorite Group Video | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2004 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Guitarist of the Year | (for Ira Cruz) | Won |
| 2004 | NU Rock Awards | Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| 2004 | NU Rock Awards | Song of the Year | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2004 | NU Rock Awards | Vocalist of the Year | (for Bamboo Mañalac) | Won |
| 2004 | NU Rock Awards | Drummer of the Year | (for Vic Mercado) | Won |
| 2004 | NU Rock Awards | Listener's Choice | — | Won |
| 2005 | 89.9 TM Year End Awards | Song of the Year | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2005 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a New Group Recording Artist | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2005 | Awit Awards | Best Rock Recording | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2005 | Awit Awards | People's Choice Favorite Song | "Noypi" | Won |
| 2005 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | MTV Ayos! Best Commercial Video | "Fiestamazing" | Won |
| 2005 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Favorite Group Video | "Masaya" | Nominated |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Album of the Year | "Light Peace Love" | Won |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Vocalist of the Year | (for Bamboo Mañalac) | Won |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Listener's Choice | — | Won |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Guitarist of the Year | (for Ira Cruz) | Nominated |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Bassist of the Year | (for Nathan Azarcon) | Nominated |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Drummer of the Year | (for Vic Mercado) | Nominated |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Best Live Act | — | Nominated |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Song of the Year | "Hallelujah" | Nominated |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Best Male Award | (for Bamboo Mañalac) | Nominated |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Artist of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Music Video of the Year | "Hallelujah" | Nominated |
| 2005 | SOP Music Awards | Strictly Alternative | "Hallelujah" | Won |
| 2006 | Aliw Awards | Most Promising Entertainer | — | Won |
| 2006 | Aliw Awards | Best Major Concert(Group) | — | Won |
| 2006 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a New Group Recording Artist | "Hallelujah" | Won |
| 2006 | Awit Awards | Album of the Year | "Light Peace Love" | Won |
| 2006 | Awit Awards | Song of the Year | "Hallelujah" | Won |
| 2006 | Awit Awards | Best Ballad Recording | "Much Has Been Said" | Won |
| 2006 | Awit Awards | Best Rock Recording | "Hallelujah" | Won |
| 2006 | Awit Awards | People's Choice Favorite Song | "Hallelujah" | Won |
| 2006 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Best Cinematography in a Video | "Much Has Been Said" | Won |
| 2006 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Favorite Group Video | "Much Has Been Said" | Nominated |
| 2006 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Favorite Pop Video | "Much Has Been Said" | Nominated |
| 2006 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Best Production in a Video | "Much Has Been Said" | Nominated |
| 2006 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Artist | — | Nominated |
| 2006 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Song | "Hallelujah" | Nominated |
| 2006 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Group | — | Nominated |
| 2006 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Rock Video | "Hallelujah" | Nominated |
| 2006 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite MYX Live Performance | — | Nominated |
| 2006 | NU Rock Awards | Best Male Award | (for Bamboo Mañalac) | Nominated |
| 2006 | SOP Pasiklaband | Best Rock Band | — | Won |
| 2006 | SOP Pasiklaband | Vocalist of the Year | (for Bamboo Mañalac) | Won |
| 2006 | The 2bU! Click Awards | Most Clickable Band | — | Won |
| 2007 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Recording Group | — | Won |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Guitarist of the Year | (for Ira Cruz) | Won |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Bassist of the Year | (for Nathan Azarcon) | Won |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Drummer of the Year | (for Vic Mercado) | Won |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Listener's Choice | — | Won |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Best Live Act | — | Won |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Vocalist of the Year | (for Bamboo Mañalac) | Nominated |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Song of the Year | "Tatsulok" | Nominated |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Album of the Year | "We Stand Alone Together" | Nominated |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Producer of the Year | with Angee Rozul for "We Stand Alone Together" | Nominated |
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Best Music Video | "Probinsyana" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Rock Recording | "Tatsulok" | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist (Performance Award) | "Tatsulok" | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Musical Arrangement | "Probinsyana" | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Engineered Recording | "Probinsyana" | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Music Video of the Year | "Probinsyana" | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist (Performance Award) | "Argos" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist (People's Choice Award) | "Argos" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist (People's Choice Award) | "Tatsulok" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Rock Recording | "Argos" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Rock Recording | "Probinsyana" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play | "Argos" (from Rounin) | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Music Video of the Year | "So Far Away" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Music Video of the Year (People's Choice Award) | "Probinsyana" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Music Video of the Year (People's Choice Award) | "So Far Away" | Nominated |
| 2008 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Recording Group | — | Won |
| 2008 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Music Video | "Probinsyana" | Nominated |
| 2008 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Group | — | Nominated |
| 2008 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Remake | "Tatsulok" | Nominated |
| 2008 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Rock Video | "Tatsulok" | Nominated |
| 2009 | NU Rock Awards | Music Video of the Year | "Last Days on a Cruise Ship" | Won |
| 2009 | Philippine Radio Music Awards | International Artist | — | Won |
| 2010 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Group Recording Artist/Performer of the Year | — | Won |

## Other media
### Commercial endorsements

* Smart
* Nescafé
* Colt 45
* Pepsi
* Yamaha Motors
* Tanduay Rhum T5 (with 6cyclemind, Chicosci, Kamikazee, and Sandwich)

## Footnotes

* ↑ "Parokya, Bamboo to rock NJ, NY this weekend". GMANews.TV. GMA Network Inc. March 23, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
* ↑ Gil, Baby A. (August 10, 2007). "Bamboo goes on tour". ABS-CBN News Online. ABS-CBN Interactive.
* ↑ "HOY, PINOY AKO!". gmanetwork.com. DENISE MALLABO. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
* ↑ "Bamboo Redefines Light Peace Love!". titikpilipino.com. EMI Philippines. Archived from the original on March 2, 2006. Retrieved March 2, 2006.
* ↑ "LightPeaceLove! be with you". September 27, 2005. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
* ↑ "Bamboo To Go International". titikpilipino.com. EMI Philippines. Archived from the original on June 24, 2007. Retrieved March 2, 2006.
* ↑ Glorioso, Bot (April 19, 2007). "The sound of Rounin". The Philippine Star via ABS-CBN News Online. ABS-CBN Interactive. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
* ↑ Ayson, Jim (April 19, 2007). "Days of Peace: Gary Valenciano and Bamboo sign up for UNICEF campaign". Philmusic.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2007. Retrieved August 30, 2007.
* ↑ Concepcion, Pocholo (January 12, 2011). "Rock band Bamboo disbands". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
* ↑ "Bamboo reportedly disbands". yahoo.com.ph. January 11, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
* ↑ "Bamboo's breakup confirmed by an official statement | Batangas Today | Breaking News, World News and More News". Archived from the original on January 16, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011. Bamboo's breakup confirmed by an official statement
* ↑ "Bamboo Shouts "F.U."". titikpilipino.com. EMI Philippines. Archived from the original on March 2, 2006. Retrieved March 2, 2006.
* ↑ "2005 MTV Pilipinas Music Awards Winners". August 29, 2005. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
* ↑ All in the Family: The MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards 2006 Winners "TitikPilipino.com", Retrieved January 29, 2008
* 1 2 3 4 5 Baby A. Gil (May 1, 2006). "List of 1st MYX Music Awards nominees". PhilStar. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
* ↑ Gil, Baby A. (November 24, 2006). "NU 107 Rock Awards nominees". PhilStar.com. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 "NU Rock Awards 2007 winners". Thoughts in Binary. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
* 1 2 3 4 5 "And the nominees are ..." Inquirer.net. November 26, 2007. Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
* 1 2 3 4 Jocelyn Dimaculangan (February 18, 2008). "Third MYX Music Awards to be held on March 26". PEP.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
* ↑ Sisante, Jam (October 31, 2009). "Up Dharma Down, FrancisM tribute rule NU 107 Rock Awards". GMA News Online. Retrieved November 28, 2018.