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As the Eraserheads' last reunion concert draws near, we look back at some of the band's career highlights
Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, drummer Raymund Marasigan, bassist Buddy Zabala, and guitarist Marcus Adoro are gearing up for yet another reunion concert on December 22, 2022. As fans prepare themselves for a fun night of rock n' roll, Tatler lists some of the 'Heads' biggest career highlights.
In case you missed it: 'Blast From The Past': We Look Back at OPM Alternative Rock of the '90s
In this article, we look back at their humble beginnings at the Kalayaan Hall in UP Diliman, their acting debut in Run Barbi Run (1995), their humbling moment at the MTV Asia awards stage, and more!
1. Humble Beginnings at Kalayaan Hall
Above The Kalayaan Residence at UP Diliman Campus (Photo: Wikimedia)
The Kalayaan Residence at UP Diliman Campus (Photo: Wikimedia)
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Ely, Buddy, Marcus, and Raymund were college students who started out small at the Kalayaan Hall, a university-operated dormitory inside the UP Diliman campus. In 1987, Ely formed his first band "Bluidie Tryste" with band members Raymund "Luci" Dela Pena, Earl Pangilinan, and Drexis Rabiligan.
In an article from Pillbox Magazine, Ely and Luci wanted to form a new band so they put up audition ads around Kalayaan dorm. Raymund (Marasigan) was the first to respond and later on invited Marcus and Buddy. They all jammed at Alberto's rehearsal studio in Cubao, Quezon City.
2. Acting Debut Run Barbi Run (1995)
Run Barbi Run is a 1995 Filipino comedy that starred Joey de Leon, Maricel Laxa, and the Eraserheads. Directed by Tony Reyes, the film follows Bartolome del Rosario who witnesses the massacre of the Black Scorpion Gang while delivering pizza at night. It was released at the height of Eraserheads' popularity among the Nineties generation of teens and young adults.
Related: "We Can Do Anything": Why Ely Buendia Says It's Important To Support OPM
3. Acceptance Speech - 1997 International Viewers' Choice Awards MTV Asia
On September 13, 1997, Ely, Buddy, Marcus, and Raymund received the coveted "Moon Man" trophy for having won the 1997 MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award. The band was the first-ever Filipino artist to win such recognition.
4. Iconic Songs: Julie Tearjerky, Alapaap, Spoliarium, Pare Ko, Hey Jay
The band released is known for iconic songs including Julie Tearjerky which topped the charts in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Indonesia. Alapaap, which received flak from the Senate for allegedly being about drugs, and Spoliarium, which most Eheads fans claim to be about teenage star Pepsi Paloma's abuse. Hey Jay, which subtly tackled support for the LGBTQ+ community. Fruitcake, which was both a full-length album and Christmas storybook edited by Jessica Zafra. And Ang Huling El Bimbo, which is arguably the most iconic signature song of the band and was used as the title for the jukebox musical featuring their songs. These and more have made Eraserheads an icon in the original Pilipino music scene.
5. Reunion Performances
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The band disbanded in 2002 after their Carbon Stereoxide album when Ely, its main vocalist and songwriter, quit. Since then, they only performed in 2008 for Eraserheads: The Reunion Concert, but it was cut short when Ely was rushed to the hospital for chest pains.
In 2009, the group held another concert titled Eraserheads: The Final Set. The band would convene again on December 22, 2022. The reunion performances continued in London, Dubai, and Singapore.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
