Eraserheads main man Ely Buendia granted his first live interview, through phone patch, in Showbiz Central yesterday, September 21, after that fateful night in Bonifacio Global City where his original band had a reunion concert.
It can be recalled that Ely wasn't able to finish the concert last August 30 because he was rushed to the hospital for what later was diagnosed as a heart condition . Since his hospitalization, Ely's bandmates Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro have given their personal opinions and accounts in interviews about the unfinished concert.
Yesterday in Showbiz Central, Ely finally put controversial issues to rest by answering host Pia Guanio's questions.
First, of course, was about his health. Is Ely doing okay now?
"I am still resting, but okay naman. Kailangan lang na bantayan ang tulog at kain," Ely said in a clear voice.
Before the concert, people were clamoring for it to happen. In spite of his mother's passing away and his health problems, Ely made the concert a reality. What made him do it?
"Well, unang-una, e, yung sa mom ko," Ely said. "Yeah, of course, we did have the option not to continue. Pero, well, that show was actually for my mom. She was one of the reasons why I agreed to do it kasi the number one fan of the Eraserheads is my mom. She had been a fan of the band from the start to the finish. Ayoko pa pahintayin ang number one fan na si Mama. Baka magalit din sa akin yun ‘pag hindi itinuloy ang concert, e."
What did Ely feel when he climbed the stage to greet the many fans—twenty to thirty thousand people—who wanted to see the Eraserheads perform once again?
"Mahirap i-explain, e," Ely admitted. "Pero yung adrenaline rush, sobra! I mean, nakaupo nga ako doon, e, hindi ko na ma-contain ang excitement. Parang nilakasan ko na lang ang loob ko na huwag magka-nervous breakdown on stage dahil kailangan kong kumanta. Pero it was overwhelming talaga—the crowd, the energy, and the love that came from that audience."
As a rock icon, did he really still feel nervous during the concert?
"Oo naman!" he admitted. "Hindi naman mawawala ‘yon, e."
Pia asked Ely about people at the concert who were screaming "Group hug!" Yet the band members did not do it. Did they hear the chant?
"Naintindihan ko," said Ely. "Pero alam ko naman na ginu-good time lang nila kami. I mean, I don't think na ine-expect nila kami na mag-group hug nga ang grupo."
On the night itself, what happened during the intermission? Can Ely recount what happened backstage in his point of view?
“Right after the last song at the first set, e, naramdaman ko parang hindi ako makahinga,” Ely related. “So, there was an ambulance there and may medical crew. Sila agad tinawag ko at humingi ako ng oxygen. When I got to my dressing room, I felt pain in my chest and nag-collapse na ako.”
Now, the answer to this next question should come from Ely himself. Would the Eraserheads ever host a repeat concert?
“Yeah, of course,” Ely answered. “That’s the number one thing in my mind. Siyempre, I’m not going to sign on to anything yet until I’m pretty sure na kaya ko gawin yun ulit. It’s a wait-and-see thing muna at this point.”
That said, how’s the band coming along now? Are the four of them in much better terms?
“Yung tatlo binisita ako sa ospital and we’ve been always been good friends,” said Ely.
Message to fans?
“I hope you enjoyed the show!” laughed Ely, probably thinking about the ending that he did not expect. “Thank you very much to all of you for supporting us until now and doon sa mga hindi nakanood at sa mga na-late, siguro may next time pa, who knows?”
Ely admitted that he was also “bitin” and was looking forward to the next Eraserheads concert.