Not Yet Sikat

• Abuggedlife summarized it very well:

“Ely was having a hard time as he was somewhat already out of tune and out of sync at guitar), the crowd had no qualms. These are the Eraserheads. They were never known for stellar showmanship or awesome guitar riffs. But they will always be known as probably the best Pinoy band in this generation because they brought together a mixed social strata of Filipinos who were able to survive high school because of their music. That same generation is here tonight, ten years older, a bit wiser, a bit less frivolous, but wanting to celebrate a piece of pubescent nostalgia.

The Eraserheads reunion was at its best, nostalgic. It wasn’t trying to be something more than this, and this is what made them remarkable.”

• James Nicolay has some very good photos of the event.
• There’s also this excellent video overview by Aileen Apolo with excerpts of the songs from the first set.

• Jessica Zafra talks about how the concert was cut short:

[Ely Buendia's sister] read a statement thanking the audience for their support, then breaking the news that Ely had to be rushed to the hospital. The gig was off. Ten years ago, that news would’ve been greeted with boos, mineral water bottles would’ve been launched (they were not allowed into the venue), and good luck getting out of there. But the news was received with a shocked silence: it is widely known that Ely had a heart attack last year. There was a minute of silence for his speedy recovery. Then the thousands quietly filed out of the venue. It was eerie, walking out of there in near-silence when your systems were still adrenalized.

• Rockerfem also has some interesting inside information from the gig: The second set would’ve ended with anthems Pare Ko, Magasin and Ang Huling El Bimbo. Rockerfem posted an earlier email from Raymund Marasigan:

“i’m a bit embarrassed were getting super rockstar treatment. we’re checked in a five star hotel, assigned a chauffeured van each, personal bodyguards (which i refused until later tonight) and we can actually raid the mini bar haha(after 20 years in rock n roll).”

• Smoketalk thinks Ely just “couldn’t take the heat”. Tapos na ba ang Ligaya?

It was la-de-da play one song then mumble-mumble then play another song; they were just going through the motions. It wasn’t a reunion; it was four guys who just happened to be playing the same songs on the same stage at the same time.

Still, it was a treat. Fans are like that. We forgive our heroes, even when they insult our intelligence sometimes.

[...]

Oh well. I never expected my heroes to have anything other than clay feet.

Still, even if it was good hearing them singing together again, I hope they don’t do another reunion concert. This one, in fact, is prolly one too many. Somehow, they sound much better in my memories.