The big difference is that, they have a new face in their fold, not really to replace former vocalist and super-songwriter Rico Blanco, but to join "their family" as co-equal.

Eighteen-year old Jayson Fernandez won the recent band’s search for a new member which came off as a career move after Blanco left. He’ll be sharing songwriting and vocalist duties with the rest of the gang, drummer Mark Escueta, guitarist Mike Elgar, and bassist Japs Sergio.

"Jayson’s ‘edge’ is that he is a good God-fearing person. Kung literal lang na galing yung hanap namin, madami diyan. Madaming magaling pero walang puso," expressed Mark, who has been with the group since day one.

The popular act responsible for many chart-topping OPMS hits is gearing up for two major performances: To play in a tripleheader that includes Vertical Horizon and Jamie Kennedy on December 7 in Araneta Coliseum, and to rock for Asian Idol in Jakarta on December 16.

A full-length album comprising fresh original compositions from the quartet will be out in the market by January next year, according to Rivermaya manager Lizza Nakpil. The first single is a track titled "Sugal Ng kapalaran" wherein Jayson is partly featured as vocalist.

"Makakaasa sila na pagbubutihin ko alang-alang sa kasiyahan ng lahat at makakaasa din sila na makakarinig sila ng bagong uri ng musika mula sakin!" promised Jayson to old and would-be Rivermaya fans in a recent exclusive chat with the Manila Bulletin.

Instantly a pride of Manguisoc, Camarines Norte where he came from, the now-bigtime rhythm guitarist beat 500 other hopefuls for the coveted post he now occupies. He earned a chance to compete in the televised auditions called "Rivermaya: Bagong Liwanag" by being chosen as the 13th finalist. It was a lucky break for him since only twelve would be chosen originally, while the group felt they needed to add one more.

"Rivermaya is about the people who come-in, not about those who leave," Mark noted, in obvious reference to his former groupmates.

Mike shared his excitement about the upcoming shows. "We try to treat each gig the same way, ‘coz we believe all gigs are important. In shows with foreign artists anywhere, we treat it as if we’re representing our country. This kind of pressure helps us focus more on the assigned task. We will be doing a 45-min set for Vertical Horizon. We’re very excited!"

It is given that Rivermaya might lose some fans with the departure of Blanco who for many was the group’s heart and soul. But the group is treading on with a positive mindset. Japs the bassist think of their work process as synergy, with no one fronting up. "It’s still the same as how we write songs before. We write, record our own demos and then we record them as a band. Regardless of who wrote what, as long as we continue writing what we feel are good songs, it’s always going to be effective," he pointed out.

As the lady who created the group back in the 90s with Chito Roño, Lizza seems to object to the idea that her group was and is always Blanco, nothing more. In doing so she gratefully acknowledged the trust of their loyal fans through the years. "The heart and soul of rivermaya is our fans. I never felt that we were incomplete. That’s what ‘banda ng bayan’ means for us – of the people, by the people and for the people. Through our darkest days, it’s the fans who believed in us, who’ve never left us, and who have kept us strong."

MTV Music Summit

Meanwhile, another significant gig for the new-faced Rivermaya is the MTV Staying Alive Music Summit for HIV/AIDS scheduled on December 12 at SM Mall of Asia Complex. Rivermaya joins a colorful roster of group acts and soloists as they create awareness of the dreaded disease through the language of music. Some of the other marquee bands included are The Dawn, Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Pupil, Sugarfree, Barbie Almalbis, Kjwan, and a lot more.

Georgette Tengco, MTV Philippines creative and content director, said in a statement, "Through the MTV Music Summit, we continue to empower the youth by using our resources to inform, address, issues, and eradicate myths about HIV and AIDS."

The MTV Music Summit has been an annual gathering of fans and popular rockers since 2003. This year, gates will be opened at 3 pm. Pre-show begins at 4, while the main spectacle starts at 6 pm.

(MTV Staying Alive Music Summit is presented by San Miguel Pale Pilsen and Smart Buddy, along E-Aji, Mall of Asia, E-Games, Frenzy, Kotex, and Pepsi. Official radio partners are Jam 88.3, Magic 89.9, Hit FM 99.5, Max 103.5, and NU 107.)