Mark Escueta

Mark Escueta
Birth name Mark Edward Penabella Escueta
Also known as The Heart and Soul of Rivermaya
Born 9 January 1976
Genres Rock, Pop rock, Alternative rock, Pinoy rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Drums, Percussions, Rhythm Guitar, Trumpet, Vocals
Years active 1990s-present
Associated acts Rivermaya, Bazurak, Planet Garapata, Bamboo Mañalac, Rico Blanco, Nathan Azarcon, Raimund Marasigan

Mark Edward Penabella Escueta (born 9 January 1976) is a Filipino musician and the lone original member of the Filipino rock band Rivermaya.

Early life

Escueta is the eldest of four siblings. He has two younger brothers and one younger sister. Escueta took Business Administration Major in Computer at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. His family is from Tiaong, Quezon.[1]

Musical career

Escueta began playing drums at the age of 13. He entered the Philippine music industry when he became the drummer of the band Bazurak where one of his bandmates, Nathan Azarcon was the bass player. Azarcon introduced Escueta to another band, Xaga, where Azarcon also played bass. In 1994, he replaced Rome Velayo as drummer and percussionist of Xaga which eventually disbanded and was renamed Rivermaya.[2] He served as drummer of Rivermaya until 2011. He is currently the percussionist, rhythm guitarist and the vocalist of Rivermaya (with Mike Elgar and Norby David). Ryan Peralta replaced him as drummer.

He is also the former drummer of the short-lived band, Planet Garapata formed by Eraserheads drummer, Raimund Marasigan in 1996.

Personal life

Escueta married the singer-actress Jolina Magdangal on 21 November 2011.[3]

References