By Erika Tapalla
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Eraserheads Reunion Concert was cut short Saturday night when lead singer Ely Buendia was rushed to the Makati Medical Center after collapsing backstage during a 20-minute intermission of the planned 30-song concert.
The concert’s sudden end was announced by Buendia’s sister Lally who went onstage with Ely’s band mates Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro and concert organizers stating that the band’s lead vocalist and songwriter was in poor health. The band members apologized to the audience for cutting short their performance.
MTV Philippines President Francis Lumen asked the crowd for a minute of silence to pray for Buendia’s health.
“He had a slight attack because of stress due to the recent passing of his mother (Lisette Buendia), and their sound check which lasted till 3 a.m. today (Saturday),” said MTV Philippines and Radiohead director for marketing Ronald Esguerra in an interview with INQUIRER.net. “But we have received word that Ely is now in stable condition.”
Organizers also belied erroneous reports that Buendia is undergoing triple bypass surgery, adding that the Eraserheads frontman actually wants to check out of the Makati Medical Center and go instead to his personal doctor.
Esguerra confirmed reports that Buendia was transferred to the Philippine Heart Center last night after he requested to see his doctor. “But he is okay and in stable condition,” Esguerra told INQUIRER.net in a telephone interview.
According to Jing Garcia, former music journalist and currently technology editor at Manila Times and a friend of the Eraserheads members, Buendia collapsed backstage after the last song before the intermission, which was “Lightyears.” The band had already played 15 songs by then.
Buendia suffered a heart attack on January 7, 2007 and had already undergone surgery.
The concert, which was staged at the Fort Bonifacio Global City open field in Taguig, started at around 8:15 p.m. and paused for a break at around 9:30 p.m.
The Eraserheads opened their much-awaited reunion concert with “Alapaap” and “Ligaya,” complete with fireworks display.
After waiting at the open field for an hour since the intermission hoping for further developments, loyal fans of the band calmly left the concert area after being treated to a thrilling first set.
MTV Philippines’ Esguerra said that while he is hoping for a second Eraserheads reunion concert, there is still no word on whether another one would be staged.
“We have received no word of a Part Two but we also hope there will be one,” he said.
With a report from Pocholo Concepcion, Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 7th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
[...] is a continuation of last year’s reunion concert that was cut short when frontman Ely Buendia was rushed to the hospital after suffering from [...]
September 12th, 2008 at 1:43 am
[...] News from Soundtrip: [...]
September 10th, 2008 at 1:46 am
May findings daw na yung usok ng fireworks ang nagpacollapse kay Ely. Ang lapit nga naman at ang tagal. Di man lang naisip ng production yun? Mahina na nga yung tao eh.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:17 am
[...] though it was already given that how the concert ended was not as everyone had hoped it would be, still seeing them perform the songs of our young adult [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Lets not forget to give a round of sound for SAGA. These guys are fantastic! great production guys from SAGA just great!
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Its been four days since the concert and it is still talked about. I know that it will be talked about forever. I’m so glad i was there. Thank you to MTV friends who gave me a VIP pass. I still feel the goosebumps i felt when i view all the you tube uploads of that historic opening.
The lights are really good and the band is tight the way we remember them. When the show was cut we felt dazed. We still do four days after. Still waiting for any word on Ely’s condition. Will the collapse last Saturday worsen his health? Sana naman hindi. I hope an update on his condition will be announced soon.
We are constantly praying for you Ely. I feel so fortunate to have seen you, Marcus, Raimund and Buddy together again right before me and your loving fans. We love you!
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:52 am
The euphoria, the chills before the start.
I knew that the concert would be far far different from any Philippine made concert!
The vibes in the long queue at the general patronage was phenomenal. Everyone was happy. Thrilled and excited. I came in just in time when they flashed the 10minute countdown.
And the band emerged. We were far away but we could feel this rush of emotions when the four finally appeared. The lights, wow the lights! Nothing like i have ever seen before.
This concert was meant to give us the rarest sight in the Philippines. The Erasereads together again complemented by a most spectacular play of lights and video.
What is meant to be is that it was short and sweet. Any longer we would have noticed Ely clearly out of breath or that the further fireworks would have been already too much or the band would be out of sync. I am not saying Ely’s collapse was meant to be, i’m just saying fate played a role that we got what we deserved. A mere few moments with the biggest band in our lifetime. Hanggang dun na lang talaga.
It was still worth it to be alive in this lifetime.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:40 am
[...] what transpired last Saturday, the short-lived concert was a success. It was so heartwarming how each and every one who attended [...]
September 1st, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Pepe, i agree with you wholeheartedly. It already looked good and i felt the chills even in my far back position in the 800 general patronage i was in. The countdown,the lights and the thunderous sound was already great. The first spark of fireworks was okay but after a while overkill na nga.
August 31st, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Ely get well soon! from nursingcrib.com family
August 31st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I’m an Eheads fan in denial.
And I thought I’ve succeeded.
In trying to outgrow them.
Denied that they even existed
In my somewhat blurry past.
But when I heard ‘Shake ‘Yer Head’
In the concert that never was
Everything rushed back.
It was still crystal clear
I still love them.
My fascination with the band remained.
It never left.
When they announced that Ely wasn’t alright.
I feared for Ely.
We all know he wasn’t in the best condition.
But we kept pushing him to come back.
To sing the old songs once again.
Songs that feel good, but hurt good at the same time.
Like all memories we hold on to.
He made this ultimate sacrifice.
To sing. To be branded a sellout. To open up old wounds
That only he knew if it did heal or not
Even if he also knew it might hurt. Deep.
Do the fans really care?
Do the fans really feel
What he feels right now?
Sadness for happiness.
Sacrifice for music.
Play your songs
Till you bleed.
For the fans.
For the past.
For things that we miss.
And things that will never come back.
No matter what.
Ely, be well. (aLjI)
August 31st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Hey guys!
Some pictures of the event can be seen here:
http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/shared/27556/3hc1rsq86z5yepm
And a video of the intro here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPx1p952kKo
August 31st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
[...] http://blogs.inquirer.net/soundtrip/2008/08/30/eraserheads-reunion-cut-short-buendia-rushed-to-hospi... [...]
August 31st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
since we’re all sharing, here is my account with video =)
http://abuggedlife.com/2008/08/30/eraserheads-reunion-opens-with-alapaap/
thanks! hope ely recovers quickly!
August 31st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
[...] this is the latest about Ely’s condition. they also had this. [...]
August 31st, 2008 at 2:55 pm
e kasi sino ba namang hindi magcocollapse, kayo kaya tutukan ng sangkatutak na usok ng fireworks… hehe
get well soon, ely… we’ll still be anticipating for your recovery so that kitakits na lang tayo sa bigger concert hall… we’ll pray for you..
August 31st, 2008 at 1:17 pm
[...] already knows how the big Eraserheads Reunion Concert ended last night, so no point rehashing the gory [...]
August 31st, 2008 at 12:06 pm
After the long wait, i was screaming and feeling overwhelmed when the countdown to the show started on the huge screen. i could feel the open field build up at the 15 second time to the show. when the lights went out and the screen showed ’sa wakas’ we were all crying. eto na. we were going to see them again. the four emerged from this green water lights and we were in shock. eto na sila. right before us.
a group in front of us were crying while screaming. we couldn’t believe it that the band is right in front of us. together again. the show was perfect, the lighting awesome. better than a foreign concert.
the band played around 15 great songs that by the time the show took a break we were already so fulfilled.
then after a while we felt na ang tagal na nga ng break.
finally marcus, raymund and buddy came up to the stage without ely.
akala namin,ely probably walked out.
we were shocked when ely’s sister annonced that he has been rushed to the hospital.
all of us were speechless. a girl beside me was crying.
sobrang emotional ng show. the best show still in philippine history. from the stage, the lights and the way the show had to be cut. walang tatalo sa concert na ito.
to ely, get well soon. to buddy, marcus and raymund, we understand. salamat for reuniting for us. the 15 songs were already worth it. salamat.
August 31st, 2008 at 10:04 am
the fact that his mom past away just recently, ely stilll did made an effort to reunite the band, did a soundcheck that long and maybe thinking if we r gonna make a performance ,lets make it a one hell of a show!!PARA SA MASA!!
August 31st, 2008 at 9:46 am
Sorry about the first link. Here it is again:
http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/shared/27556/3hc1rsq86z5yepm
August 31st, 2008 at 9:45 am
Hey guys!
Some pictures of the event can be seen here:
http://www.tabblo.com/studio/s…..sq86z5yepm
And a video of the intro here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPx1p952kKo
August 31st, 2008 at 9:36 am
I hope there’ll be 2nd reunion for this 4 guyz… I love this band…Get well soon Ely..
August 31st, 2008 at 9:25 am
After it was announced that the concert had to be stopped, my friends and I, we were speechless–the feeling was surreal-felt cheated-but only for a moment.. the 15 songs were enough-it was worth it.. Ely and the band, get well soon. We love you!!!
August 31st, 2008 at 8:51 am
i dreamt about the reunion concert happening. i’m happy it finally did. bitin nga lang talaga. so my family, after marching out of the fort, went to a jazz bar and tried to jam with the resident pianist to the tune of E-heads hits. unfortunately, the old guy on the keyboard only knows basil valdez. we sang old hits anyway, and dedicated our performance to Ely’s health… i hope he heard us sing!
August 31st, 2008 at 7:26 am
Im here at Orlando right now and I was dreading that I couldnt watch the concert I love Eheads their my fave band ever ever and forever. I watched thefirst part of the concert and I cried I wish I was ther I hope I can watch the part 2, I hope there will be one, I’ll definitelt fly home for that!
August 31st, 2008 at 6:18 am
hope ely’s fine already.
he is a legend who deserves our prayers.
get well soon, ely!
August 31st, 2008 at 5:46 am
it was unfortunate indeed esp for those who were way back in gen adm area… but it was Fun while it lasted and i thank the Band for the wonderful evening… i hOpe Ely gets well ^_^
August 31st, 2008 at 5:36 am
we really hope for an organized part two of the reunion concert. sana maging okay na si ely. more power to the e-heads!
August 31st, 2008 at 4:06 am
Although the concert was cut short, it was still a winner! I pray for the recovery of Ely Buendia. Mabuhay si Ely and the Eraserheads!!!
August 31st, 2008 at 3:22 am
[...] Eheads’ concert
Aug.31, 2008 in Music I was working during the wee hours of the morning and decided to check how the Eraserheads’ concert went… and found this -Eraserheads concert cut short, Buendia rushed to the hospital. [...]
August 31st, 2008 at 2:26 am
i was waiting for years for this to concert to happen but sadly i wasnt able to go coz i opted to hang out wid my lola and aunt….. just reading the part of this article that the concert started with the song alapaap and ligaya with fireworks is enaf to make me cry in frustration dat i wasnt there to see, hear, and feel it.
i hope ely is fine…….
ill be w8ng for the part two
August 31st, 2008 at 1:02 am
alam ko na meron inde tama sa concert na toh…
tama ang kutob ko…
sana gumaling agad si ely…
August 31st, 2008 at 12:57 am
Thanks Markku for pointing that out.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:49 am
[...] this is just in, Ely’s condition is stable “We have gotten word that he is now stable,” said MTV Philippines director for [...]
August 31st, 2008 at 12:49 am
[...] before a crownd in a banging concert since his mom just passed away on 28th of August. “He had a slight attack because of stress due to the recent passing of his mother, and their sound check which lasted till 3 [...]
August 31st, 2008 at 12:46 am
Good to hear that Ely is now okay. By the way, the last song was “Lightyears” and not “Fruitcake.”
August 31st, 2008 at 12:18 am
sayang talaga it was cut short, i was there with my sister kanina and we were at the VIP area. Nakita nmin na bigla umupo si Ely after the last song and bowed his head. And then they went on a supposed to be a 20-min break lang. The audience understood naman when his sister apologized to the audience. It was a good concert kahit di natapos, sobrang nasabik ang fans sa Eraserheads.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:18 am
sayang talga pro la na talaga magagawa e.lets just pray for ely and lets pray for another reunion concert.lol.
GET WELL SOON ELY!
August 31st, 2008 at 12:15 am
[...] Before the second set began, Ely Buendia was rushed to the hospital. I had left the venue with Phoebe minutes before this happened because we were both suffering from a relapse of a cough and colds epidemic that’s been going on for days. Today, Saturday, was particularly humid. Hope he’s OK. [...]
August 31st, 2008 at 12:12 am
[...] News from Soundtrip: [...]
August 30th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
sayang nga ung concert.sana natapos man lng nila ung 30 songs.
kc history na yan,once in a lifetime e.
eraserheads is the best.lets all pray for ely..
eraserheads God of OPM!
August 30th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
[...] report din sa Inquirer blogs tungkol [...]
August 30th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Woah. Sayang naman nun. But still, at least there was some kind of reunion for them and the fans were able to see them all together. I do hope Ely does get well after all that’s been happening around him.
August 30th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
let us all pray for Ely.
sayang talaga at naputol ang concert pero d best padin!