As we were preparing for dinner tonight, my hubby and I heard this shocking news about Ely Buendia being rushed to the hospital due to heart attack. My hubby is a huge fan of Eraserheads.
For all those who have not heard of them, Eraserheads is a very popular rock band in the Philippines which were formed by Ely and his schoolmates from University of Manila in Diliman, Quezon City back in the early 90’s. Since then, the band has released albums that sold platinums and all that. But unfortunately, Ely decided to leave the band. Right now, he has his own band again-Pupil.
I totally feel sad about that news and so as my hubby, of course. He sent me this blog entry of Francis Magalona who happens to be a huge rapper/actor/host in the Philippines too.
Reading Francis Magalona’s blog, it remind me of my teenage years. It was in the 90’s and he mentioned a lot of stuff in that era in his writing. Made me remember once again that I went ga-ga over his Spindicate Posse member Archie Balance and how me, mykidbro, and my fave cousin Joms liked Masta Plann and everything else about the 90’s.
I shall also say that I agree with Francis Magalona when he suggested that what about having the Eraserheads reunited. When that happens and they decided to do a great get-together concert, my hubby said he would come to the Philippines just to see it. And I of course, will come with him for that!
I hope that Francis Magalona won’t sue me for plagiarism for re-posting his blog entry. I just want to share this with everybody else.
Let’s pray for Ely’s recoverty and hope for the Eraserheads to be reunited as well!
Peace out.
SUPER PROXIMITY (FRANCIS MAGALONA)
Spoke with Ely last night (and even this morning right after I wrote this post) and I’m glad my friend is recovering. The guy had an angioplasty, it’s a process, where they insert a "balloon" in your artery to open it so blood (and oxygen) may pass, and reach the brain. I was on my way to my first Camera Club of the Philippines monthly meeting-dinner when I recieved a text from my daughter, Saab, that Ely was on TV, and he was rushed to the hospital.
I immediately dialed my friend’s number, and after a dozen or so rings, he answered the phone, told me the story of how he suffered and survived a "heart attack" and is now at a hospital in Alabang, the Asian Hospital. Questions of mortality would race through my head, my diet, stress, alot of thoughts just zipped in and out. This is a wake-up call for me and you. (yes, you the reader)
I called (then texted) my good friend, "writer-journalist-music reviewer" Pocholo Concepcion, and told him about Ely’s condition, because some 10-12 years ago, we were all interconnected, during the great "90’s OPM gold rush", the time when it was "raw-no manufactured-no cured-pure-unadulterated, no computer generated" era of the BMG stable of artists Eraserheads,Yano,Rivermaya,Sugar Hiccup,and this blogger included.
On any given day, Poch would be there, Sancho Sanchez, Erik Liongoren, Mastaplann members Butch & Johnny would be there, the Evil Stepsisters,The Spindicate Posse members would be there. It was nice hangout place, the same way we would hang out in Ely/and or Buddy’s pad in UP Village.
Here’s some trivia:
July-August 2003 I did a 6 City US Tour (NY/NJ,San Diego,Chicago,Detroit,LA,San Fo) The Unstrung Heroes Tour- FrancisM, Ely Buendia, Glenn Jacinto of Teeth c/o Happy Box. Ayos ba big boy? Ayos ba le-vann?
Eliandre Buendia got his first taste of the internet at 323-A Katipunan Ave., at my residence back in 1995-96. At any given time, all 4 "E-heads" would be at my place, playing Tekken or Doom, "jamming", surfing the "net", drinking booze. Ask my kids, Unna, Maxx,Saab, Nic or Frank, and they saw and had brushes with these "future Hall of Famers" at any time from 4 pm to 4 am.
As a matter of fact "Cutterpillow" the album where the first "Super Proxy" was cut, the cover, the image of the jellyfish was my contribution, downloaded from some ftp site, in one of those memorable "surfing the net" days. (or unmemorable depending on the state of intoxication, haha) Ask Joey "Cowpunk" Navera, who I "adopted" after a tiff with the E-heads manager at that time. Cowpunk was the graphic artist who helped do the Cutterpillow cover and also helped on my Happy Battle cover.
I was never credited as "co-lyricist" for my 22-bar verse on Super Proxy but who cares? It was a great time to collaborate with Raimund, Marcus, Buddy & Ely. Being labelmates, we shared a passion for music,rock & roll, videogames, had a "deep,meaningful & respectful friendship" which lasts to this day.
Super Proxy was about the "Net" just listen to Ely’s words, and is not about some "prostitute" or "drug" as some would assume.
Fast forward to right now, 9:58 am, Jan. 9, alot of what ifs scenarios pop in my head. What if the E-heads members are back, like long-lost blood brothers? What if "the most significant OPM band of Pinoy Rock" would be in one room, what would happen?
I sang Super Proxy with alotta passion last night. I always do, it’s one of my fave songs. Whether I did the song with The Eheads, whether it was w/ my band with Ely, or w/ Raimund onstage, it’s a GREAT song.
How many collabos have I done with my friend?
1. Super Proxy-Cutterpillow 1996
2. Unstrung Heroes- Happy Battle 1996
3. Private Diane- Still Wanted Death Threat 2002
4. Super Proxy 2K6- UltraelectromagneticJam 2005
Mabuhay ka Ely Buendia!
PS:Para sa akin panahon na para mag-reunite ang E-heads. Sugod na mga kapatid…rock & roll na hanggang umaga.
