October 25, 2008—Ely Buendia performed for the first time in Eat Bulaga since his concert with the Eraserheads last September. With his band Pupil, Ely gave a song number with fellow artist Francis Magalona as they both brought the house down for the Eat Bulaga viewers. Yesterday in Startalk, host Butch Francisco interviewed the Pupil frontman to ask about his present condition.
So, how exactly is he feeling right now?
"According to my doctor, okey na," revealed Ely. "One hundred percent cleared after two months of rest and cardiac rehabilitation. Handa akong sumabak sa kung ano man."
Ely's manager and wife, Diane Ventura confirmed his statement. "I was there when the doctor [performed] his test. I was also there when the doctors said that he was 100 percent fine, and I am very, very happy."
Diane remains concerned, however, for Ely's well-being. "I'm always asking him if he has taken his medicine or has he taken his exercises."
Ely related that his fourth anglioplasty took only about less than an hour. "Hindi tulad noong bypass na major thing na open heart. Anglioplasty is a simple procedure na binubuksan lang yung artery para i-unplug."
How did this experience change Ely?
"When you look back at it, parang sasabihin mo na this is a chapter...and with mom dying, it was definitely a chapter. Sabihin ko na, well, I am glad na I survived that."
Ely's mom Lizette Buendia passed away last August 28. Only two days later, the Eraserheads held their reunion concert at The Fort.
Ely admitted that his mother's passing was still very fresh. He admitted, "Most of the time, you feel alone, you think na all you want to think of is your mom."
What are Ely's plans this All Saints Day?
"My mom is with us at the house," Ely said. "She was cremated and it was one of her last wishes because she was thinking ahead and didn't want us to spend time in the cemetery."
RELATIONSHIP WITH ERASERHEADS. Ely admitted that he did not bond much with his former bandmates after the reunion. But he added, "We were friends kasi, we worked together and we always respected each other when it comes to work."
Ely didn't talk about the breakup of the Eraserheads before. But now, he was willing to share some info. "Malaking misunderstanding ang nangyari dito," he said, "because a lot of fans took it the wrong way and maraming na-hurt because of that.
"My own reason was that, I was simply trying to create a new career. And for me to do that, it was impossible for me to do that if I kept on talking or referring to something [that was] not part of what I was doing then, which was the Mongols and Pupil. I was trying to avoid the subject na wala nang use or wala nang point."
The reunion concert wasn't finished due to Ely's heart condition. For Ely, it was over.
"Para sa akin, tapos na iyon," he revealed. "Fifteen songs, parang that's a good show, you know? Nangyari lang na thirty songs kasi we were planning talaga, that this was the last and the end of it para masaya lahat. Pero noong nandun na ako and the 15th song ended, for me I was really satisfied. I do want to make them happy."
RELATIONSHIP WITH DIANE VENTURA. Rumor has it that Ely and his manager and partner Diane are on a rough road in their relationship. Is this true?
"I would not call it ‘Rough,'" Ely said. "Everybody has to do what's best for what you think is best. She is still my manager and she has always been my manager. She has guided me from the very start, ever since the Mongols days, up to the Pupil days, up to the reunion. We are very, very good friends and we're the best of friends. We have a special relationship. She is the mother of my son and there is no person I want to work with or be with now than her."
Speaking of his son, Ely explained that his condition didn't affect their relationship. "I mean, I could be a cripple or in a vegetative state and I will still have a relationship with him because our relationship really transcends."
Being a good dad despite the playboy stigma attached to Ely as a rock icon didn't bother Diane. She debunked naysayers that rock stars always get all the women.
"Let's not preconceive the notion about rock stars being babaero—opposite si Ely. While with me, like I can say that he is very loyal. Kahit nasa kabilang dulo ako ng mundo, I know he's loyal."
Ely had nothing but thanks for Diane. "Thank you for guiding me through the tough times and this is the second time na naospital ako and I'm really glad that you were there and did everything for me."
"Take care of yourself and your health," Diane said to Ely. "Always know that I am here for you and you will always be family. I love you forever."