But just the same, Moonstar88 churned out a brand new selection of relevant situational state of the heart stories in latest output "Todo Combo" under Sony-BMG Music. In fact, there’s no bad blood among the Moonstar88 members that stayed (guitarist Herbert Hernandez and bassist Paolo Bernaldo) and those who left (particularly former lead vocalist Acel Bisa, the voice behind hits "Torete" and "Sulat"). Now Moonstar88 also added drummer Bon Sundiang. Other former band members are William Pineda and Teng Marcelo.

It was more of a transferring of responsibilities, revealed Moonstar88’s new lead singer and guitarist Maychelle Baay. Acel left to prioritize marriage and family so she willingly "trained and guided" the new front-woman.

Maychelle told the media during the "Todo Combo" launch at Metrowalk in Ortigas, "We haven’t really left the gig circuit. Tumutugtog pa rin kami over the last three years of absence. Hindi lang nga kami nakikita sa mainstream at medyo hindi na masyadong nararamdaman ng media but thanks to Sony-BMG, maririnig na kami ng mas marami."

Guitarist and one of the band’s chief songwriters Herbert Hernandez (who also penned the released "Tadhana" and most cuts in the CD) said the album is called "Todo Combo" simply because, "Todo talaga yung album. It has been three years that we’ve been brewing this so we’re really confident with how the album came out. It also refers to ‘combo’ as the 70s colloquial term for band and ‘combo’ as used in games and in some sports meaning ‘combination of hits’ parang yung mga songs sa album na’to. Tatamaan ka talaga ng todo."

The group was beyond prepared and overflowing with new originals that they initially wanted a double CD for a next output. "Ang gusto nga talaga namin double CD, yun ang ambisyon namin," Maychelle disclosed, "but Todo Combo turned out better than what we expected."

"Todo Combo" is quite a heady collection of well-conceptualized originals and a few remakes. There are potential hits in the self-hurt-inducing "Migraine" (about people who fail to define the status of their relationship ironically for ‘convenience’), the pop/back-to-basics alternative "Dot Song" and the perky paradox "Lumiliwanag" as well as revivals the Yanooriginal "Senti" and APO’s "Panalangin."

Other tracks are "Can’t Stop," "Girlfriend," "Di Kasi," "Di Kita," "Friendster," "Late Ka Na Naman." "Bintana," and "Damang Dama."

Although Moonstar88 underwent changes in lineup and a long quiet shut from mainstream ears, the CD is worth the wait for the band’s followers. On the whole, the band was able to retain the signature feel of songs with stories almost everybody could relate to. Most of the cuts, specifically the originals, impart real situations and portray in music what most hearts must have felt at one point or another.

And if the band does have materials for a double CD same as some of the unique tracks in "Todo Combo," they wouldn’t have much use for revivals.