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Ely Buendia begins two-month rest after recent angioplasty

Right after being discharged from the hospital last Friday, September 5, former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia reportedly went straight to the wake of his mother. According to The Buzz, the body of Mrs. Lisette Buendia was cremated yesterday, September 7.

Jasper Lucena

Ely Buendia begins two-month rest after recent angioplasty

Bong Godinez

Monday, September 8, 2008
01:15 PM

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Ex-Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia was officially discharged from the hospital last Friday, September 5, after staying for almost a week following another angioplasty procedure to clear his blocked arteries. Ely underwent the same procedure twice last year after suffering a heart attack during an out-of-town gig with his current band, Pupil.

In a taped interview with The Buzz which was aired yesterday, September 7, Ely's partner and manager Diane Ventura disclaimed earlier reports that the band leader suffered another heart attack.

"He underwent angioplasty because nagkaroon ulit ng cholesterol buildup dun sa main artery," informed Diane. "It's not actually a heart attack."

Diane added that Ely was asked by the doctors to rest for two months to recover fully.

The iconic singer-songwriter was admitted after experiencing chest pains while in the middle of the Eraserheads jampacked reunion concert held at the Bonifacio Global City open field in Taguig last August 30.

Ely's recent health dilemma was linked to stress and exhaustion—both physically and emotionally. Two days before the reunion concert, Ely's mother, Mrs. Lisette Buendia, succumbed to cardiac arrest. All the preparations leading to the concert plus the loss of a loved one ultimately took its toll on Buendia—who still managed to finish the band's first set composed of 15 songs—on the night of the concert.

ON THE WAY TO RECOVERY. The Buzz also managed to get a few words from some of Ely's closest friends who were able to visit him at the hospital.

"Last time na bumisita kami nakakalakad siya, nakakapagsalita, kumakain, nakakapag-joke around," said film director Joyce Bernal.

According to renowned script writer Ricky Lee, who was Ely's teacher when the young musician was still a film-major student at the University of the Philippines, the incident was a blessing in disguise since it led to the discovery of the serious health malady.

"Sabi nga niya sa amin, it was a good thing din naman na nangyari ‘yon kasi nagkaka-blockage na rin 'yong isang artery niya, so nadiskubre. Mabuti't naagapan," said Lee.

Buendia's former Eraserheads bandmates also paid a visit, proving that their friendship remains strong.

Diane thanked all the fans who prayed for Ely's recovery and for understanding why the reunion concert last week had to be cut short.

"He's in stable condition, we're expecting a 100 percent full recovery. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the fans. I'm grateful na the fans are so understanding."

In closing, Diane advised Ely, "Stay in shape, drink your medicine. Wala munang traba-trabaho, kahit mamulubi, importante ang health. Health is wealth."

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