Here are the songs…

Set 1

1. Magasin
2. Walang Nagbago
3. Maling Akala
4. Maskara
5. Poor Man’s Grave
6. Waiting for the Bus //Right be for the song, the crowd was shouting “Group hug! Group hug! Group hug!” Ely replied: “Kayo muna!” And there was a brief moment of laughter from the audience.
7. Huwag Mo Nang Itanong //The Eheads played this song Reggae-style. Groovy! Marcus was on vocals!  I will never foreget the whimsical changes to the lyrics like “At di ko sasabihin sayo…”
8. Slo mo
9. Alkohol //For those of you who don’t know, Radio Active Sago’s rendition of Alkohol was actually a tribute to the Eraserheads.  Raims did a good job on the vocals.  Full of energy. It was almost like Sandwich! Haha. Moreover, I believe everyone will never forget the moment when Raims posed with Ely for a good 15-30 seconds for some photo op in the middle of the song.
10. Insomnia //I believe after this song, the crowd was requesting Buddy to sing. “Buddy! Buddy! Buddy!” Jazz was quick to play the intro of the Fabulous Baker Boy on the keyboards. Buddy sang the first line: “They come to me for doughnuts…” Stop. And everyone laughed.And how can we all forget? Ely said: “On vocals… Raimund Marasigan!”
11. Torpedo

Set 2 //This acoustic set is the most memorable one for me. They played songs that I’ve never imagined them perform in a concert. Not to mention, I’ve never seen them on an acoustic setup.

1. Julie Tearjerky
2. Tikman
3. Wishing Wells
4. Fine Time
5. Pare Ko
6. Kailan //Ely goes solo with Jazz Nicolas on keyboards. Loved it!
7. Back2Me
8. Trip to Jerusalem
9. Spolarium
10. Overdrive //After the song, I thought it was over but no one was leaving. No one.

Set 3 //This is supposedly their final set

1. Superproxy //Too bad Francism didn’t make it. Sad. He was going to jam with the Eraserheads. I’m not sure if he was gonna rap or sing.  Again for those of you who don’t know, in the Cutter Pillow version, Ely sang while Francism rapped.  In the Ultraelectromagneticjam version, Francism sang while Ely rapped.  Last night, Ely did both – sing and rap.
2. Minsan //It was a very heartfelt song. You can tell from Ely’s voice and facial expression. One of my friends even got teary-eyed.
3. Alapaap
4. Kaleidoscope World //This is the 0.5 song in my count.  The Eheads played the chorus. “Every color, every hue, is represented by me and you… in this kaleidoscope world.”
5. Huling El Bimbo //As expected this will be their finale. As the song was about to end, Ely lit the piano at his back on fire. I believe it was the piano at the album cover of Sticker Happy. At this point everyone was roudy and shouting “Woooo!” Finally, the fans got their “group hug.” Technically it was just a group bow.  I was really delighted with Ely’s enthusiasm as he was the one calling rest of the band, Raims, Buddy, Marcus and Jazz (their sessionist / drummer of the “Evil” Itchyworms).  They “hugged” and bowed together.Oh I forgot, Ely threw his sneakers! Both of them!

Set 4 //Some of the people started leaving. But, it seemed like Raims wasn’t contented with the 3 sets. He wanted more. And so did we! He called everyone and even asked the crown to call out the other band members! Ely! Marcus! Buddy!

1. Ligaya
2. Sem break //I think Ely jumped to the 3rd stanza so the song was “cut short.” After the last note of the song, he was about to sing another stanza then he realized “Ay tapos na pala…”
3. Toyang //At this point Ely went down the stage spent some time with the fans.  As he was going back on stage, he passed the microphone to Tim Yap. He was supposed to sing the line “Pero pero pero malinis to…” Instead, he mistakenly sang “Pen pen pen de sarah pen…” I feel so embarassed for him. Tim Yap BOOOOO!!!

And that was the greatest concert EVER!

Eraserheads: The Final Set
March 7, 2009 (03.07.09)
8PM at SM MOA Concert Grounds 

When: Ticket selling will start Jan. 21, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Where: Tickets will be sold thu Ticketworld outlets or thru www.ticketworld.com.ph

How much: 

• vip P5150 
• gold P3090 
• silver P1339 
• bronze P309

Here’s my YM conversation with ticketworld…

ticketsmanila: tickets available tomorrow @ 10:00 am

benny_da_ball: how much?

ticketsmanila: vip 5150 / gold 3090 / silver 1339 / bronze 309.

benny_da_ball: can we buy online?

ticketsmanila: yes. using your credit card.

benny_da_ball: anything else i need to know about the eheads concert?

ticketsmanila: mar. 7 8 pm @ MOA

benny_da_ball: ayt. thanks.

Where to buy the tickets will be announced soon.

i got a lot of messages yesterday asking about the eraserheads
concert. apparently there was a press release already in the papers.
anyhoo, here’s what i got so far.

yes its true. that much i know. but after the first one i got darwin
(soupstar, sandwich) to iron out my concerns before anything.i want
this one to be smoother. in other words i just want to rock.

the band has not me yet officially but i know the promoters have been
talking with our respective representatives since december.

we have a dysfunctional relationship haha. we play well together but i
think we can only stand each other for short periods of time.

i see buddy a lot cos were band mates in cambio. i bumped into marcus
at mogwai last week. he just got back from the beach. im glad ely’s
getting his groove back. sandwich played with pupil at guijo last friday.

we dont talk about the show. i know everyone agreed to do it so ill
guess well see each other at the presscon or rehearsals , whichever
comes first.

this wont be as top secret as the marlboro gig. there will be tickets,
sponsors and details in the papers. and well be allowed to talk about
it. haha.

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL OR TEXT ME about it. its just a rock show. i just
want to rock.

see you all there

raim<s>

Reposted this from Miggy’s Blog at Odysseylive.net.

30709

In a taped interview with The Buzz which was aired yesterday, September 7, Ely’s partner and manager Diane Ventura disclaimed earlier reports that the band leader suffered another heart attack.

“He underwent angioplasty because nagkaroon ulit ng cholesterol buildup dun sa main artery,” informed Diane. “It’s not actually a heart attack.”

Diane also added that Ely was asked by the doctors to rest for two months for him to recover fully.

The iconic singer-songwriter was admitted after experiencing chest pains while in the middle of the Eraserheads much-anticipated reunion concert held at the Bonifacio Global City open field in Taguig last August 30.

Ely’s recent health dilemma was being linked to stress and exhaustion—both physically and emotionally. Two days before the reunion concert, Ely’s mother, Mrs. Lisette Buendia, succumbed to cardiac arrest. All the preparations leading to the concert plus the loss of a loved one ultimately took its toll on Buendia—who still managed to finish the band’s first set composed of 15 songs—on the night of the actual concert.

ON THE WAY TO RECOVERY. The Buzz also managed to get a few words from some of Ely’s closest friends who were able to visit him at the hospital.

“Last time na bumisita kami nakakalakad siya, nakakapagsalita, kumakain, nakakapag-joke around,” said film director Joyce Bernal.

According to renowned script writer Ricky Lee, who served as Ely’s teacher when the young musician was still a film major student at the University of the Philippines, the incident was a blessing in disguise since it led to the discovery of the serious health malady.

“Sabi nga niya sa amin, it was a good thing din naman na nangyari ‘yon kasi nagkaka-blockage na rin ‘yong isang artery niya, so nadiskubre. Mabuti’t maagapan,” said Lee.

Even Buendia’s former bandmates from the Eraserheads likewise paid a visit, proving that the relationship among the four is now cordial as compared before.

Diane thanked all the fans who prayed for Ely’s recovery and also for understanding the situation, which unfortunately cut short the reunion concert last week.

“He’s in stable condition, we’re expecting a 100 percent full recovery. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the fans. I’m grateful na the fans are so understanding,” she quipped.

Asked for a message, Diane advised Ely in closing: “Stay in shape, drink your medicine. Wala munang traba-trabaho, kahit mamulubi, importante ang health. Health is wealth.”

Article written by Bong Godinez of PEP.

Photo courtesy of Jorem Catilo.

My blog, ALEGRE.PH, will be featured in QTV’s The Beat on Monday, September 8, 2008. Show starts at 10pm. ALEGRE.PH will be featured because of my blogs on the Eraserheads and their reunion concert.

The TV report, aired over GMA News’ 24 Oras, said the information was relayed by Buendia’s manager Day Cabuhat.

According to Cabuhat, Buendia has recovered after undergoing his third angioplasty to clear his blocked arteries.

But Buendia needs to take a rest, the report said.

Cabuhat said Buendia expressed his gratitude to those who prayed, visited and supported him.

On August 30, the band’s much awaited concert reunion was cut short following Buendia’s heart attack.

Buendia was rushed to the Makati Medical Center and his former band mates, accompanied by his sister Lally, broke the sad news to thousands of fans who attended the concert.

Organizers said fans understood the reasons for the abrupt end of the concert, but they requested for a follow-up reunion concert.

On Sunday, Buendia was transferred to the Philippine Heart Center.

In 2007, the singer also suffered a heart attack while his new band Pupil was performing in Laguna. He underwent two angioplasty procedures at the PHC. – Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV

THE GUITARIST HANGS LOOSE: Marcus Adoro

By Gang Badoy
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Maraming nag-assume na ’yung pinakamahirap sa reunion na ‘to ay ‘yung unang rehearsal.

Ah oo! Hindi ko rin alam what to expect, napa-yosi nga ako nung narinig ko, “Andyan na si Ely.” Tapos pagdating niya, alam mo, ang gaan lang. Ang gaan. “Pare, kumusta.” Tinanong niya kami lahat. ‘Yun.

So, na-realize mo ba na, “Wow, na-miss ko ‘to!”

Hindi pa nga rehearsals, bago pa lang nun, excited na ako. Kasi siyempre bago mag-rehearsal kinailangan kong mag-review ng chords ng mga kanta namin noon. Siyempre habang tinutugtog ko, nagpa-flashback talaga ako. Excited talaga ako na makita si Ely, kasi hindi pa talaga kami nagkikita. Once lang kami nagkita, sa MYX awards, pero lasing na siya, lasing na rin ako, so nag ganun lang kami. (Nods) Alam mo, ’yung first practice para sa akin, ’yung ice breaker namin ay nagtatanungan lang ng mga suot naming sapatos, T-shirt, ganun. Nag-uusap naman kami eh. Nagkikita kami palagi nina Raymund at Buddy. Mga binyag, special occasions. Kasi may ‘sang tropa kami mula college pa talaga. Kami ni Ely ang hindi talaga nagkita nung six years. Hindi kami pinagtagpo ng tadhana (laughs). Nung nag-umpisa na ang rehearsals mismo, kalmado kami lahat, nakatutok kami sa kailangang gawin. Bago nga nun, nagkita pa kami ni Buddy para mag-practice. ‘Yung tipong, “Buds, paano nga ‘yung chords nito, hindi ko makapa eh.” (Laughs)

Aah, so nagkita kayo ni Buddy?

Oo pinuntahan ko siya sa bahay, nag-practice kaming dalawa. Inisa-isa namin lahat.

Ang unang nalaman ko tungkol sa ‘yo ay nagtuturo ka daw ng surfing sa La Union.

Oo, limang taon ako nag immerse sa surfing culture. Nung latter part ng ‘Heads, nahumaling na ako sa surfing. Nung nagpalit na kami ng singer, nung naging si Kris Dancel na, nagpaalam na rin ako kay Raymund, sabi ko sa kanya surfing muna ako.

So hindi tama ‘yung impression ng marami na tinakbuhan mo ang music…

Hindi! Pero yung music ko nung time na ‘yon, para sa akin lang, gumawa ako ng para sa akin. ‘Yun yung laman ng album ko ngayon, ‘yung Markus Highway. Pinahinog ko, kung baga. Pinahinog ko nang matagal na matagal.

Di ba sa banda laging may tinginan at konting usap-usap sa stage para ma-coordinate yung tinutugtog, gaano kahirap para sa ‘yo yung hindi kayo masyadong nagtitinginan?

Personally, para sa akin para ngang walang nangyari eh. ‘Andun ulit, kabit lahat. Nung una may mga linyang naiiwan. Nagkakatinginan, ‘yung tipong, “Oy, meron dapat do’n ’di ba?” May konting sabit-sabit. Lalo na ako. (laughs)

So hindi pala kayo gaanong natisod kahit gano’n.

Oo, kasi syempre warm-up pa lang naman yung first set eh. Pinaghandaan talaga namin ’yung second and third set. Tataas pa dapat talaga ‘yung energy dun eh. Kahit lahat tataas after the first set, ‘yung technicals, ‘yung nasa video wall, hindi pa ‘yun eh, wala pa ‘yon! Marami pa dapat mangyayari, kahit ‘yung fireworks…actually lahat!

So, gaano ka-stressful para sa ‘yo yung change in plans?

Konti lang sa akin ‘yung part na ‘yon. Ang kailangan talaga naming i-deliver ‘yung performance eh.

May theory na mas okey ang banda kung nagkakasundo lahat…

Magkasundo kami lahat. (Smiles then moves his mouth closer to the voice recorder) Okey na banda kami.

Nakakatuwa na iba-iba kayong mga sagot sa pare-pareho kong tanong…

Wala akong problema sa kanila. Baka ‘yun ang gusto kong sabihin, kasundo ko sila. Si Ely dinalaw ko kagabi. Magkasundo kami. Magkasundo kami ni Buddy. Magkasundo kami ni Raymund. Ewan ko sila. (laughs) Pero, Gang, hindi eh… maganda talaga yung vibes eh.

Paano kaya na maganda pa rin ‘yung vibes despite the six years na hindi kayo nagkasama-sama?
Dahil sa kanta. Kasi naka-angkla kami sa kanta. Kasi kung bad vibes ka, sasabit ka. Para sa akin, pag nagpeperform ka tapos nag-iisip ka ng iba, doon ka sasabit. ‘Pag iniisip mo na masama kunwari ang ka-banda mo, doon ka magkakamali.

May mga taong hindi masyadong aware na hindi kayo ma-salita during gigs.

Ako ‘yung tahimik, usually. ’Yun ang trabaho ko, “Tumahimik ka dyan, Marcus.” (laughs) Ako madaldal ako ‘pag ako ‘yung frontman. So siguro si Ely ‘yon. Pero dati may instances na planado lahat. Dito ako magsasalita, tapos diyan si Buddy, tapos palitan kami ng sasabihin…meron din namang ganoon dati. Nagka-time…

Sinabi ko rin ‘to kay Raims eh, na halos lahat sa inyo may trademark na look sa respective bands ninyo kaya na-curious talaga ako kung nag-usap man lang ba kayo tungkol sa susuotin ninyo during the reunion.
Sinuggest ko actually na mag usap-usap ‘yung mga “stylist” namin. Siguro ‘yung mga girlfriends namin. Kami ni Buddy nag-coordinate naman kami kasi kami ‘yung magkabilaan sa stage eh. “Basta ‘wag ka magpuputi.” Sabi nya kasi magpuputi daw siya, so nag-pula ako at saka itim. So, may konti naman din kaming coordination. Hindi naman kami nagpakitaan ng wardrobe. (laughs)

Sabi ni Raimund kasi wala namang ganun-ganun sa ’Heads, ‘yung coordination ng wardrobe talaga. Show up as you are talaga.

Hoooooo, siya nga yung pinaka-conscious diyan eh! (laughs) Nag-kulay pa ng buhok, nag-wig pa. Sabi nga niya sa ‘kin sa rehearsals mag-so-shorts lang daw siya saka hubad eh. (laughs) Pero, hindi…syempre si Raymund ‘yon eh.

Nung time na magulo noon, gaano ka ka-apektado?

Hindi ko pinatulan. During the past five years, nagka-chance din naman ako pumatol, pero ayokong sayangin ang energy ko doon. Hindi ko na ginatungan ‘yung apoy kumbaga. Hindi ako nag-labas sa Internet o press release. Okey lang sa ‘kin. Kasi chismis nila ‘yon dito eh. Nung nasa La Union ako, nasa surfing culture ako eh. May sarili kaming mundo doon eh, may sarili kaming superstars…

Ni minsan ba hindi ka nagkaroon ng need to explain things or at least air your side?
Isa yon sa rason kung bakit ako umalis dito. Marami akong rason, pero isa yon. Tuwing pupunta na lang ako ng bar, “Pare, bakit kayo naghiwalay?! Pare bakit ganito, bakit ganon.” Eh hindi ko naman masasagot ’yon nang ako lang eh. Apat kaming dapat sumagot nun.

So napagod ka rin.

Oo, so sabi ko mag su-surf na nga lang ako. Hanggang dun pa rin sa surfing minsan nga maski sa dagat, may mag-pa-paddle na surfer sa tabi ko (gestures paddling) tapos sasabihin, “Pare, ba’t kayo naghiwalay?!” Matatawa na lang ako tapos sasabihin ko sa kaniya, “Ayan na ’yung alon, o!”

Meron ka bang isang moment nung concert na hindi mo makakalimutan?

P**a, hindi lang isang moment. Lahat. ‘Yung crowd, ‘yung turn-out. ‘Yung suporta sa Internet. ‘Yung tao na kung saan-saang lupalop pa nanggaling para lang manood. ‘Yung production, ‘yung stage design, ’yung logistics ng lahat. Parang, ang galing. ‘Yun ang concert.

Wala ka gaanong moment-memory na nag stand-out talaga?

Actually, ‘yung anak ko. (laughs) Umiiyak siya, buong concert! Masayang moment ’yon, basta. Cute ‘yung moment. May mga picture kasi siya nguma-ngawa. Ano ba ‘yung sagot ni Raymund?

’Yung countdown.

Ay, siguro sa akin isang moment doon, ‘yung moment ni Ely. Nung ano… ‘yon. Siguro sa akin, ‘yun ‘yon.

Nasaan ka nung nalaman mo na na-ospital na sya?

Nasa dressing room ako, nag re-ready na ako for next set, palit ng costume. Kausap ko ’yung tech kasi sabay nagloko ’yung mga digital effects namin ni Buddy. Apparently may pumutok na something sa baba.

So, imposible nga ba talaga na magbalikan?

Napaka-aga pa para matanong ‘yan. Ang focus ngayon ‘yung health ni Ely. Kasi nag reconnect kami as friends. Gusto ko siyang tulungan sa aspetong yon.

Sa recovery?

Oo. Natuwa ako kasi nag reconnect talaga kami. Nung binisita ko nga siya, maski sa vibe, sa tinginan. Basta, basta, Masaya ako.

Teka, so tingin mo ba gumaling kayo?

Oo, gumaling. Ako gumaling konti. (laughs)

Marami sa musicians na nakakasama natin sa Rock Ed maingat na maingat magtanong tungkol sa ’Heads.

Halos ayaw pag-usapan nga eh tuwing nagtatanong ako dati.

Meron mga unspoken things na hindi na siguro kailangang pag usapan ulit. ’Yung nangyari nung huli… wala na ‘yon. Normal naman ‘yon sa banda eh. Sabi nga ni Ely, normal ‘yung nangyari sa ‘min eh…. Normal lang ‘yon.

So, was it “just a concert” to you?

Of course hindi ‘no! Yung magnitude nung event, siyempre alam namin kung gaano kalaki ‘yon. Ganoon kalaki ‘yung stage, ‘yung laki nung screen, sabi ko, ‘ba! totohanan na ‘to ah. Iba, iba talaga.

So that night, who did you play for?

Well, that night, siyempre nakikita ko ermats ko do’n, so ayokong sumabit as much as possible. Siyempre para din sa… kanino man… (laughs) Actually, gusto kong mapasaya si Ely.

Did it feel like old times?

Oo, pero mas kalmado na kami ngayon. Madaming bull**it na nawala. Mga maliliit na bagay wala na. Dati ang daming iniintindi eh. Ngayon, music lang ang focus.

Na o-offend ka ba pag may nagsasabi na ginawa ninyo lang to “for the money”?

O eh ano ngayon! (laughs) Well, there’s money. More money, more art. (laughs)

Ha ha, ngayon ko lang narinig yun ah.

That’s from me. Original.

May nagsabi na nung tumugtog kayo sa Saguijo after ng concert insensitive daw ’yon kay Ely dahil nga nasa ospital na siya…

Hindi! Hindi… ako kasi, hindi ako juma-jam sa Cambio, kahit noon pa. My reason being, two ’Heads and three guitarists should be enough, man, hindi mo na ako kailangan doon. Plus pumunta ako doon kasi ang taas ng energy ko, tapos nalaman na namin na okey na si Ely, hindi rin ako makakatulog. Ayoko rin bumalik sa hotel, ang boring naman, ano’ng gagawin ko doon? So naghanap kami ng matatambayan. Nalaman namin na maraming nandun, so pumunta kami. Tapos tumutugtog ‘yung Cambio, tapos maya-maya may tatlong tao nang sumundo sa ‘kin, pinapatawag daw ako ni Raymund, jam daw. So tumugtog ako, masaya naman. Hindi yon dahil insensitive kami. Hindi yon ganon.

So, when Ely bounces back to a steady health state, basta may medical clearance na, reunion ulit?
Oo, ba’t hindi? Pag umo-o ’yung tatlo, bakit ako hihindi?

Oo nga naman.

Saka bitin din ako eh.

Read interview with Raimund Marasigan.

Read interview with Buddy Zabala.