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
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. [...]