Mark Escueta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Escueta
Escueta in 2022
Background information
Birth name	Mark Edward Penabella Escueta
Also known as	"The Heart and Soul of Rivermaya"
Born	(1976-01-09) 9 January 1976 (age 49)
Genres	Alternative rock Pinoy rock pop rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Drums Acoustic guitar electric guitar percussions trumpet vocals
Years active	1994–present
Associated acts	Rivermaya Bazurak Planet Garapata Bamboo Mañalac Rico Blanco Nathan Azarcon Raimund Marasigan Jolina Magdangal

Mark Edward Penabella Escueta (born January 9, 1976) is a Filipino musician. He is one of the original members of the famous Filipino rock band Rivermaya. Mark has been the only member to stay with Rivermaya since it started in 1994.

Early Life and Education

Mark Escueta is the oldest of four children. He has two younger brothers and one sister. He went to high school at De La Salle Santiago Zobel School. Later, he studied Business Administration at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. His family comes from Tiaong, Quezon.

Musical Journey

Starting with Rivermaya (1994–Present)

Mark Escueta began playing the drums when he was 13 years old. He joined the Philippine music scene as the drummer for a band called Bazurak. In that band, Nathan Azarcon played the bass guitar.

Nathan later introduced Mark to another band named Xaga. In 1994, Mark became the drummer for Xaga. This band eventually changed its name and became Rivermaya. Mark played the drums for Rivermaya until 2011. At that time, Ryan Peralta took over as the drummer.

Mark then started playing guitars and became one of the lead singers for the band. Ryan Peralta left Rivermaya in May 2018. After that, Mark went back to being the band's main drummer.

On his birthday, January 9, 2016, Mark had a special reunion. He met up with former Rivermaya members, Perf de Castro, Nathan Azarcon, and Rico Blanco. It was a surprise mini-reunion after Perf de Castro's show.

Other Music Projects

Mark Escueta also played drums for a band called Planet Garapata. This band was formed in 1996 by Eraserheads drummer, Raimund Marasigan. Planet Garapata was a short-lived band.

Family Life

Mark Escueta married singer and actress Jolina Magdangal on November 21, 2011. They have two children together, named Pele and Vika.

Rivermaya Albums

Here are some of the albums Mark Escueta released with Rivermaya:

• Rivermaya (1994)
• Trip (1996)
• Atomic Bomb (1997)
• It's Not Easy Being Green (1999)
• Free (2000)
• Tuloy ang Ligaya (2001)
• Between the Stars and Waves (2003)
• You'll Be Safe Here (EP) (2005)
• Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo (2006)
• Bagong Liwanag (EP) (2007)
• Buhay (2008)
• Closest Thing to Heaven (2009)
• Panatang Makabanda (2013)
• Sa Kabila ng Lahat (2017)