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
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