RIVERMAYA: BAGONG LIWANAG

There's a lot of truth to the latest EP released by Rivermaya. And with the recently concluded auditions, they have indeed found a new light in the shape of Jayson Fernandez. Hailing all the way from Manguisoc, Camarines Norte, this 18year old teen has impressed the judges enough to fill in the spot voided by Rico Blanco. I never really got to follow the events in studio 23 but from the glimpses I saw, I was rooting for Michelle. I haven't really heard her voice or compositions but judging from her pictures I think she's pretty enough to charm the public in voting her. hehehe! (c'mon.. everybody loves a rock chick! :P) But seriously, going back I believe that they have assembled noteworthy judges for this competition which really singled out the best person to complement the kind of direction Rivermaya is headed to. So congratulations to Jayson Fernandez for being part of the rich history of Rivermaya!

With the lack of knowledge in the events of competition, I dug out some information to figure out what really transpired on the monumental day. According to the band's website, it did not go uncontested as arch-rival Hans Dimayuga, 19, a senior from Dela Salle University garnered the most number of text votes and got the judges approval for best original song.

Jayson dropped to the floor when Rivermaya co-manager, Lizza G. Nakpil, exclaimed, I'm going for a leap of faith --- so, Jayson, we love you! Welcome to Rivermaya!

It has only been a couple weeks since Jayson and over 500 other hopefuls gathered at UP for the initial stage of the audition. But now, he joins the Banda ng Bayan that he only used to see in pictures, hear from the radio, and see from their music videos. His message to others who want to make it big, "Ang gusto ko lang paratingin sa lahat ay wag mag-give-up sa iyong dream. May nag-text sa akin na kaibigan na naniniwala siya na kaya kong maging part ng Rivermaya, so naglakas-loob akong sumali. Ang sinabi ko sa sarili ko, walang mawawala naman sa akin at kung matalo, at least may picture ako na kasama sila."