Ira Cruz

Ira Cara Cruz is Bamboo’s guitarist. He is also the son of Alex Cruz, a member of the band Juan dela Cruz which is one of the pillars of Pinoy rock.

 His band, Bamboo, is a fusion of different band members. Ira, for one, used to be part of the Passage band. Their vocalist Bamboo Mañalac and bassist Nathan Azarcon, on the other hand, were former members of Rivermaya, and drummer Vic Mercado also used to play for Passage band and Kapatid.

 2007 was perhaps the luckiest year for Ira and the rest of Bamboo. That same year, Ira was named the Guitarist of the Year at the NU ROCK AWARDS 2007. His band mates also bagged titles. Nathan Azarcon was hailed the Bassist of the Year of the same Vic Mercado was named the Drummer of the Year by the same award-giving body. Collectively, the band won the award for Best Live Act, Artist of the Year, and the Listener's Choice Award still at the NU Rock Awards.