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The mother of all reunions.......

 

 

Elyas Isabelo Salanga
Monday, September 22, 2008
12:08 AM


Eraserheads main man Ely Buendia granted his first live interview,
through phone patch, in Showbiz Central yesterday, September 21, after
that fateful night in Bonifacio Global City where his original band
had a reunion concert.

It can be recalled that Ely wasn't able to finish the concert last
August 30 because he was rushed to the hospital because of his heart
problem. Since his hospitalization, Ely's bandmates Raimund Marasigan,
Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro have given their personal opinions and
accounts on interviews about what happened during and after the
unfinished concert.

Yesterday in Showbiz Central, Ely finally aired his piece and put
all the controversial issues to rest by answering the inquiries from
host Pia Guanio.


First, of course, was about his health. Is Ely doing okay now?

"I am still resting, but okay naman. Kailangan lang na bantayan ang
tulog at kain," Ely said in a clear voice.

Before the concert, people were clamoring for it to happen. Now,
despite unfortunate events like his mother's passing and his health
problems, Ely continued to make the concert a reality. What made him
do it?

"Well, unang-una, e, yung sa mom ko," Ely said. "Yeah, of course, we
did had the option not to continue. Pero well, that show was actually
for my mom. She was one of the reasons why I agreed to do it kasi the
number one fan of the Eraserheads is my mom. She had been a fan of the
band from the start to the finish. Ayoko pa pahintayin ang number one
fan na si Mama. Baka magalit din sa akin yun `pag hindi itinuloy ang
concert, e."

What did Ely feel when he climbed the stage to greet the many
fans-twenty to thirty thousand people-at the concert who wanted to see
the Eraserheads perform once again?

"Mahirap i-explain, e," Ely admitted. "Pero yung adrenaline rush,
sobra! I mean, nakaupo nga ako doon, e, hindi ko na ma-contain ang
excitement. Parang nilakasan ko na lang ang loob ko na huwag
magka-nervous breakdown on stage dahil kailangan kong kumanta. Pero it
was overwhelming talaga-the crowd, the energy, and the love that came
from that audience."

As a rock icon, did he really still feel nervous during the concert?

"Oo naman!" he admitted. "Hindi naman mawawala `yon, e."

Pia asked Ely about people at the concert was screaming "Group hug!"
Yet, the band members decided otherwise. Did they hear the chant?

"Naintindihan ko," said Ely. "Pero alam ko naman na ginu-good time
lang nila kami. I mean, I don't think na ine-expect nila kami na
mag-group hug nga ang grupo."

On the night itself, what happened during the intermission? Can Ely
recount what happened backstage in his point of view?

"Right after the last song at the first set, e, naramdaman ko parang
hindi ako makahinga," Ely related. "So, there was an ambulance there
and may medical crew. Sila agad tinawag ko at humingi ako ng oxygen.
When I got to my dressing room, I felt pain in my chest and
nag-collapse na ako."

Now, the answer to this next question should come from Ely himself.
Would the Eraserheads ever host a repeat concert?

"Yeah, of course," Ely answered. "That's the number one thing in my
mind. Siyempre, I'm not going to sign on to anything yet until I'm
pretty sure na kaya ko gawin yun ulit. It's a wait-and-see thing muna
at this point."

That said, how's the band coming along now? Are the four of them in
much better terms?

"Yung tatlo binisita ako sa ospital and we've been always been good
friends," said Ely.

Message to fans?

"I hope you enjoyed the show!" laughed Ely, probably thinking about
the ending that he did not expect. "Thank you very much to all of you
for supporting us until now and doon sa mga hindi nakanood at sa mga
na-late, siguro may next time pa, who knows?"

Ely admitted that he was also "bitin" and looking forward to the
next Eraserheads concert.