[Miracle], "Flowers", "Princess of Disguise" and "Panahon Na Naman" [It's Time Once Again]. Whilce Portacio, co-creator of the X-Men's "Bishop" and co-founder of Image Comics, illustrated the album art for Trip. On January 31, 1997, the band released its third album, Atomic Bomb, with the single "Hinahanap-hanap Kita" [Always Wanting to See You]. The album gained positive responses from listeners and received heavy airplay from radio stations. In October 1998, Rivermaya also released the Rivermaya Remixed album, put together with the help of DJ Toti Dalmacion of Groove Nation. Departure of Bamboo Mañalac (1998) The band then embarked on a US and Canada tour in 1998. Despite the band's successful tour, It was also at this time that Bamboo Mañalac decided to stay in the U.S. with his family. His last show with the band was on October 10, 1998, in Oakland, CA. (he eventually went on to form his eponymous band in 2003). Rivermaya decided to forge on, with Rico Blanco taking on lead vocals and released their fourth album, It's Not Easy Being Green on January 15, 1999, containing the singles "Nerbyoso" [Nervous], "Shattered Like", and "Rodeo". the album hits Gold barely a month after the album was released. On January 22, 2000, the band performed at the Nescafe's Open Up concert in Baguio City with Mike Hanopol. On June 30, 2000 the band performed at Channel [V] Philippines Concert for Peace at the University of the Philippines (UP) Sunken Garden. The band become the cover of the May 2000 Issue in the Pulp Magazine. On August 30, 2000, The band released its fifth studio album, aptly called Free. entirely for free on the Internet as well as on CDs distributed at their gigs. Free went on to be named "Album of the Year" at the NU Rock Awards and Rico Blanco winning Producer of the Year for producing the album and Teeth's "I was a Teenage Tree" album. Second evolution of lineup (2001–2007) In April 2001, Nathan Azarcon departed from the group to focus on other musical interests (later revealed he got kicked out due to unruly off-screen behavior), leaving Rico Blanco and Mark Escueta as remaining members. Japs Sergio (from Daydream Cycle) filled in on Azarcon's position in gigs. They were later signed with Viva Records and released an EP "Alab ng Puso" [Fire of the Heart] on June 2001, an original soundtrack for the film