Ely Buendia begins two-month rest after recent angioplasty

Ex-Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia was officially discharged from the hospital last Friday, September 5, after staying for almost a week following another angioplasty procedure to clear his blocked arteries. Ely underwent the same procedure twice last year after suffering a heart attack during an out-of-town gig with his current band, Pupil.

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.

Ely Buendia recovering after 3rd angioplasty operation

Pupil and ex-Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia needs to stay in the hospital for two more weeks after undergoing another angioplasty to clear his blocked arteries.

His manager, Day Cabuhat, announced in a radio interview yesterday, September 1, that Ely is now resting to regain strength and that his newly-operated blood vessel is now “100 percent fully restored.”

Despite the success of the operation, Ely is still being required to undergo a cardiac rehabilitation, according to GMA-7 News.

Ely’s recent heart surgery was his third. He underwent the same procedure two times early last year after experiencing a heart attack during an out-of-town gig with his current band, Pupil.

The enigmatic singer-songwriter reportedly collapsed backstage while in the middle of the Eraserheads’ much-anticipated reunion concert last Saturday, August 30, held at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field in Taguig. Ely, along with former bandmates Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala, and Raimund Marasigan rocked anew as one cohesive unit during the concert after not playing together for six years following the band’s bitter fallout because of personal and creative differences.

The band managed to perform 15 songs straight out before calling for a break to give the quartet a few minutes of rest before coming back for a second set. It was later revealed that the Eraserheads originally intended to perform 30 of their original songs ranging to the popular tunes to some obscure stuff. Buendia, however, suffered chest pains after the first set prompting the organizers to call off the concert.

Ely’s mom, Mrs. Lisette Buendia, passed away two days before the concert, aggravating his already fragile physical and emotional condition brought by all the strenuous preparations leading to the concert. Regardless of the reported fat paycheck received by the four members, the one-night concert they all echoed was a gift to the fans who tirelessly clamored for the band to share one stage again even for a single night.

Original article here.
Photo by Jorem Catilo.

Eraserheads Reunion Concert Photos

Photos courtesy of my friend, Jorem Catilo.