By ALFIE VERA MELLA
Carla Abaya and Leni Llapitan first worked together in Identity Crisis, a band considered among pioneers of Philippine New Wave.
The band released two albums: “…Tale of Two” in 1988 and “Water Came Running” in 1990.
Despite critical success, the band eventually folded soon after.
After a short stint with the Neo-Ethnic collective Lokal Brown, which also featured luminaries Ed Formoso, Pendong Aban, Lolita Carbon, Cesar “Saro” Banares, Chicoy Pura, and Binky Lampano – Abaya and Llapitan will go on to form Mariya in 1992.
The outfit was short-lived, but not without being able to release a couple of singles that enjoyed airplay on local radio stations.
In 1993, Abaya and Llapitan reorganized themselves forming Mariya’s Mistress, initially with Ronald Yumul (guitars), Mon Legaspi (bass, who was later replaced by Ian Monsod when he joined Wolfgang), and Jb Medrano (drums).
They released their only album “Unang Pag-agos” in 1995, spawning the hit singles “Di Maglalaho,” “Agos,” and “Palabas.”
Sadly, the band broke up in 1997.
Last we heard, they were planning to record another album as Identity Crisis.
