Bamboo Mañalac
Bamboo Mañalac in 2006
Background information
Birth nameFrancisco Gaudencio Lope Belardo Mañalac
Also known as
  • Bamboo
  • The Prince of (Philippine) Rock
  • The Vocal Rock Maestro
Born (1976-03-21) March 21, 1976[1]
Quezon City, Philippines[2]
OriginSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1994–present
LabelsPolyEast Records
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Francisco Gaudencio Lope Belardo Mañalac[3] (Tagalog pronunciation: [mɐɲaˈlɐk]; born March 21, 1976),[4][5] popularly known as Bamboo Mañalac or simply by the mononym Bamboo, is a Filipino musician and singer-songwriter. He began his career as vocalist and original frontman of Rivermaya and later fronted his own band, Bamboo. Bamboo band disbanded in 2011 and Mañalac then pursued a solo career and released his first solo album, No Water, No Moon.

Mañalac is known for his distinct vocals, which combines elements of rock with a mellow technique; he also has a notably eccentric style in live performances. His musical and singing style as well as his band's polished sound have made him an icon in the Philippine music industry.

Early life

Mañalac was born in Quezon City, Philippines to Filipino parents. His family immigrated to San Francisco, California when he was 10 years old and spent the rest of his childhood there. He was named after a combination of his grandfathers' names and coincidentally after his home city. His mother gave him the nickname "Bamboo" when he was still a kid.[6]

Career

Band frontman

1994–1998: Rivermaya

Rivermaya's roots came from a band named Xaga consisting of Jesse Gonzales on vocals, Kenneth Ilagan on guitars, Nathan Azarcon on bass guitar, Rome Velayo on drums, and Rico Blanco on keyboards and backing vocals. The band was managed by Lizza Nakpil and director Chito S. Roño. In the process of grueling practice sessions, Azarcon's former schoolmate Mañalac replaced Gonzales, as well as Azarcon's childhood friend, Mark Escueta, replaced Velayo, and later, Ilagan was replaced with Perf de Castro. With Ilagan leaving and de Castro as guitarist, the band members themselves decided to disband Xaga and form the band Rivermaya. They started putting together original songs like "Ulan", "214", and "Awit ng Kabataan" in demo form for prospective recording companies. Since its formation, the band has launched several successful albums, received numerous awards, and has undertaken several successful concerts and tours.

After the band's successful US and Canada tours, Mañalac decided to leave the band after a 4-year stint and stay with his family in the United States. His last performance with the band was on October 10, 1998, in Oakland, CA.[7] Despite of the popular belief and rumors saying that he was removed from the group due to drug addiction, Mañalac dismissed this as a mere "fan theory" claiming that he does not even smoke and have not tried taking drugs ever since, even out of curiosity. He actually went back to school in San Francisco and Los Angeles and took up English, Philosophy and Film which were his majors and did several odd jobs.[6]

2003–2011: Bamboo

In 2002, after living in Los Angeles following the Rivermaya tour in America, Mañalac returned to the Philippines. His former bandmate in Rivermaya, Nathan Azarcon, introduced him to Ira Cruz and Vic Mercado. Later, all of them joined together and formed the band Bamboo.[8] Since then, the band had launched four successful albums, and received numerous awards.[9]

Rumors were initially spreading on January 10, 2011, after KC Montero tweeted on Twitter that the band has decided to call it quits. On January 11, 2011, Mañalac published an official statement in the band's official website. He said:

As a group we've come to a point where you have to trust your gut, your heart 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." He further said that, "We've learned that this journey is not only about us 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.[10]

Solo career

2011–present

In November 2011, Mañalac released his solo debut album, No Water, No Moon, under the label of PolyEast Records. The album consists 12 tracks with "Questions" as its carrier single. The album reached gold record in February 2013 after selling more than 7,500 copies.[11][12]

In January 2012, Mañalac joined ASAP as a mainstay cast and a performer in the show.[13]

On February 10, 2013, during an appearance on the last episode of Sarah G. Live, Bamboo Mañalac hinted that he would be working with Sarah Geronimo after they both finished performing a production number together.[14] On February 14, 2013, ABS-CBN aired a promotional plug during the airtime of the pre-primetime television drama Kahit Konting Pagtingin, confirming Bamboo Mañalac's stint in The Voice of the Philippines as coach and judge.[15][16] In an interview made by ABS-CBN News, Mañalac provided a statement regarding his stint on the show, "I'm ready to be a coach. There's a time for everything and this is it."[14] When asked on what kind of artist will he would like to coach, he said, "I’ve been listening to rock for a long time but I also listen to other genres from rock to pop to folk to everything. I want someone who is open to all kinds of music; someone who is willing to listen and willing to learn."[17]

Bamboo, alongside Sarah Geronimo, and Lea Salonga returned as coaches for The Voice Kids Philippines from 2014 to present.[18]

In October 2015, four years after the release of his first album, Bamboo released his second solo album entitled Bless this Mess. The 10-track album was recorded in Grand Street Recording Studio, Brooklyn, New York.[19]

Personal life

Mañalac is married and has kids. Mañalac is evasive when it comes to his personal life.[6]

Discography

Solo albums

with Bamboo

with Rivermaya

Filmography

List of television performances
Year Title Role Notes
2011–present ASAP Natin To! Himself Host/Performer, ABS-CBN
2013 My Myx Celebrity VJ for July
Backtrax
Rock Myx
Pinoy Myx
The Voice of the Philippines Coach and Judge, ABS-CBN
Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Celebrity Guest, ABS-CBN
2014 The Voice Kids Coach and Judge, ABS-CBN
The Voice of the Philippines (season 2) Coach and Judge, ABS-CBN
2015 The Voice Kids (Philippines season 2) Coach and Judge, ABS-CBN
2016 The Voice Kids (Philippines season 3) Coach and Judge, ABS-CBN
2017 The Voice Teens (Philippines season 1) Coach and Judge, ABS-CBN
2019 The Voice Kids (Philippines season 4) Coach and Judge, ABS-CBN
2020 The Voice Teens (Philippine season 2) Coach and Judge, ABS-CBN
2023 The Voice Kids (Philippine season 5) Coach and Judge, Kapamilya Channel

NOTE: This list only includes Mañalac's regular television shows. Short television guestings are not included.

Awards

Year Organisation Award Work Result
2004 13th NU Rock Awards Vocalist of the Year[20][21][22] Bamboo Mañalac (of Bamboo) Won
2005
2006 SOP Pasiklaband
14th NU Rock Awards Nominated
2008 SOP Pasiklaband
2012 25th Awit Awards Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist Bamboo Mañalac (for "Questions")[23][24] Won
2014 Myx Music Awards 2014 Favorite Male Artist Bamboo Mañalac
Favorite Rock Video Bamboo Mañalac (for "Carousel")[25]
Favorite Media Soundtrack
2016 Myx Music Awards 2016 Favorite Song Bamboo Mañalac (for "Firepower")[26] Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Bamboo Mañalac. discogs.com
  2. ↑ VIDEO: "I was born here in QC and then I stayed here for many years and then at some point in our life my parents wanted to immigrate to the US so we moved at around I was 10 years old." / "Magandang Buhay: Bamboo's childhood". ABS-CBN Entertainment.
  3. ↑ VIDEO: "It's Francisco, that's my great-grandfather, then Gaudencio, that's my lolo, then it's Lope, then it's Belardo Mañalac." / "Magandang Buhay: Bamboo's childhood". ABS-CBN Entertainment.
  4. ↑ "WATCH: Breaking News Artist Bamboo Manalac Death Real or Fake- Know The truth Here". Attract Tour. September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  5. ↑ Celebrity Birthdays. by SuperBalita Cebu, via PressReader
  6. 1 2 3 Body Talk with Bamboo – FUNFARE with Ricky Lo, PhilSTAR.
  7. ↑ "Why Bamboo left the band". ABS-CBN News. March 9, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  8. ↑ "MYXposed: Much Has Been Said (The Story Of Bamboo)". MYX Philippines. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  9. ↑ Marlon Anthony R. Tonson (January 12, 2011). "Rock band Bamboo breaks up, turns a new leaf". GMA News. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  10. ↑ Bong Godinez (January 12, 2011). "Official statement confirms Bamboo's breakup". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  11. ↑ Miro Valera. "BAMBOO's "No Water, No Moon" Reaches Gold!". MYX Philippines. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Polyeast Records re-releases Bamboo Manalac's 'No Water No Moon'". GMA News. May 17, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Bamboo, mainstay na ng 'ASAP'". Balita. January 18, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2013.http://abscbnpr.com/opm-reigns-in-asap-2012/
  14. 1 2 "Bamboo to join 'The Voice PH'?". ABS-CBN News. February 11, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  15. ↑ ABSTVPromo (February 14, 2013). "The Voice of the Philippines – COACH BAMBOO PROMO". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  16. ↑ Glaiza Jarloc (February 16, 2013). "Bamboo joins Sarah Geronimo in 'The Voice of the Philippines'". Sun.Star. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Bamboo to coach in The Voice of the Philippines". The Philippine Star. February 17, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  18. ↑ Dimaculangan, Jocelyn. "Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, and Lea Salonga return as coaches for The Voice Kids". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  19. ↑ "ruthdelacruz". ruthdelacruz.com. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Bamboo wins 6 of 15 awards in the 2007 NU Rock Awards". GMA News. December 6, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Pasiklaband returns to SOP". GMA News. October 28, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  22. ↑ Salve V. Asis (July 8, 2006). "56 and Fantastic!". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  23. ↑ Nikko Tuazon (December 15, 2012). "Bamboo Mañalac feels thankful for winning the Best Male Performer trophy at the Awit Awards". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  24. ↑ Mark Angelo Ching (November 27, 2012). "Kapamilya artists win big at the 25th Awit Awards; Zia Quizon bags three major awards". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  25. ↑ Ira Agting (March 27, 2014). "Full list: Winners and nominees, MYX Music Awards 2014". Rappler. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  26. ↑ Rappler (March 15, 2016). "FULL LIST: Winners, Myx Music Awards 2016". Rappler. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
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