'Bamboo' disbands; Ely Buendia not surprised

MANILA, Philippines - The music is over for popular alternative rock band Bamboo.

The group's leader and vocalist, Bamboo Mañalac, officially announced the disbanding of his group in a statement posted on his official website.

The band, composed of Mañalac (vocals), Ira Cruz (guitars), Nathan Azarcon (bass) and Vic Mercado (drums), is well known for its hit songs "Noypi,” “Hallelujah” and “Masaya."

Below is the official announcement of Mañalac.

"Hello everybody, We started the band 2002-2003, playing for small venues or to whoever just wanted to sit down and listen to 4 old dogs who refused to grow up and continued to do what we know we were born to do (it took me awhile. I confess). No one believed in us at the start. Always with a chip on our shoulder we were able and willingly ready to prove doubters wrong.

"Here we are 7 or 8 (to the few) years later. (A lifetime in this business.) Things change.



"As a group we've come to a point where you have to trust your gut, your hear and your head and accept that all things change. The hardest part as always is to know when to pack it up and part ways. We've learned that this journey is not only about is but includes all who came along for the trip. Family, friends and of course our front row believers who were there for the best reason of all. To simply listen. So it didn't come easy winding down to this decision. So here we go--IT'S OFFICIAL--THE BAND--IT'S OVER.

"A chapter closes and a new one begins. So what happens next? I don't know. 2011 and I readily look forward to tomorrow's "I don't knows" and hiccups. So "here we go" a new page.

"This is not the end. We move forward for all the right reasons. This is not a sad day. Music will forever be a part of our lives and I couldn't imagine us just simply walking away. Not possible. All I see are possibilities.

So to end in behalf of the band and Management I would like to thank everybody. Our friends, fans, supporters and Believers. Thank You. To the few brave producers out there. Thank you. Our business partners throughout the years. Thank you. To EMI and Polyeast. Thank you. This is not goodbye."

News of the band's break up first came out on a radio show last Monday.

Break up

They come and they go. Through the years Filipinos witnessed the popularity and end of popular bands like Eraserheads, Rivermaya and Hale.

Rivermaya’s Rico Blanco is now part of hit television series "Imortal." But in a previous interview, he said that he won’t give up his musical career.

Hale’s Champ Lui-Pio is now a host-singer while Ely Buendia of popular group Eraserheads formed his own group called Pupil.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Buendia said he is not surprised to hear about the break up of Bamboo and Sugarfree. He said it is normal in the lives of bands to break apart after some time together.

He denied rumors that Pupil will also disband, saying that he and his bandmates remain intact.

The group actually launched their newest album "Limiters of the Infinity Pool.
source: abs-cbnnews.com/