Ira Cruz Biography: Albums, Age, Net Worth, Bamboo Band, Ex-Girlfriends, Songs, Career

Ira Cara Cruz, known professionally as Ira Cruz, is a multi-awarded Filipino musician, songwriter, and producer celebrated for his pivotal role as a founding member and guitarist of influential rock bands like Introvoys, Passage, Kapatid, Bamboo, and Hijo.

His contributions to the OPM scene, blending rock with pop-inflected melodies, have earned him acclaim through albums like Introvoys’ Line to Heaven and Bamboo’s breakout hits, shaping Filipino alternative rock in the ’80s and ’90s.

Cruz’s journey from early band days to production work underscores his enduring impact on Philippine music, fostering a legacy of raw energy and emotional depth.

Profile

• Full Name: Ira Cara Cruz
• Stage Name: Ira Cruz
• Born: 1960s
• Age: 60s
• Birthplace: Philippines
• Nationality: Filipino
• Occupation: Musician, Songwriter, Producer
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: None
• Girlfriends: Mylene Dizon (ex), Phoemela Baranda (ex)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Ira Cara Cruz was born in the early 1960s in the Philippines, though specific details about his exact date of birth are unknown.

Information about his parents and any siblings are not publicly known.

Growing up amid the vibrant Manila music scene, Cruz developed a passion for rock and pop from a young age, influenced by local bands and international sounds.

No formal education details are disclosed, as his career took precedence early on, with informal training through band collaborations and workshops.

Cruz is of Filipino ethnicity, and his religious beliefs are unknown.

Career

Ira Cruz began his career in the late 1980s, joining Introvoys as a guitarist from 1987 to 1991, contributing to their debut album—a raw, diamond-in-the-rough effort that blended catchy melodies with rock edges.

His early work with the band, including the pop-inflected Line to Heaven in 1994, showcased his songwriting flair, though he briefly left in 1996 before rejoining for a short 2001 reunion.

These formative years in Manila’s underground scene honed his skills, leading to collaborations that emphasized emotional, anthemic tracks rooted in personal tragedy and resilience.

Cruz’s growth accelerated in the 2000s with Passage and Kapatid, where he explored diverse talents alongside Karl Roy and Marinito “J-hoon” Balbuena, infusing sibling-like dynamics into their sound.

His pivotal move came in 2003, co-founding Bamboo with Nathan Azarcon and Bamboo Mañalac, delivering high-energy alternative rock hits that captured the post-Rivermaya era.

Bamboo’s success, marked by raw brotherhood anthems, elevated his profile until the band’s 2011 disbandment, after which he transitioned to production, blending his guitar-driven style with emerging Filipino talents.

Ira Cruz reunited with Azarcon and Vic Mercado in Hijo post-Bamboo, channeling their shared history into a fresh lineup with Junji Lerma and Jay-O Orduna, focusing on vocals, bass, and keyboards for layered rock explorations.

His production credits, including film scores like Bukal (2021), reflect a matured artistry that influences OPM’s evolution, mentoring through workshops and fostering inclusive band dynamics that echo his early underground roots.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Ira Cara Cruz
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Ira Cruz has no spouse or children publicly known, maintaining a low-key personal life amid his music commitments.

He dated actress Mylene Dizon from 2010 to 2012 and Phoemela Baranda from 2005 to 2009, both relationships ending amicably.

Discography

• Line to Heaven (Introvoys, 1994)
• Bamboo (Bamboo, 2004)
• Light Peace Love (Bamboo, 2005)
• Distance, Loving, Living (Bamboo, 2006)
• Hijo (Hijo, 2011)
• Bukal Soundtrack (2021)

Net Worth

Ira Cruz has an estimated net worth of $1 million. His finances primarily stem from contributions to band albums like Bamboo’s chart-toppers and Introvoys’ classics, yielding royalties and live performance fees. Production work on film scores such as Bukal and session gigs with emerging artists provide ongoing support for his multifaceted music career.