Ely Buendia
Ely Eleandre Basiño Buendia (born November 2, 1970), popularly known as Ely Buendia, is a Filipino musician, author and film director who gained fame as the guitarist, lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the famed Filipino rock band, the Eraserheads. Widely regarded as a legendary musical icon in the country, his songs continue to amass remarkable commercial success and critical acclaim, topping various music charts and leaving behind an enduring legacy in Philippine popular culture. He currently performs as the guitarist and singer-songwriter of the band, Apartel. Personal life. Buendia was born in his parents' home in  Naga City at 6:20 am on November 2, 1970. He is the second child of Ely Revilla Buendia (born c. 1942 in Goa, Camarines Sur) and Lisetta Ruiz Basiño (March 22, 1942 in Caramoan, Camarines Sur – August 28, 2008 in Manila). His parents were married on October 30, 1964 in Ragay, Camarines Sur. He first learned Kundiman from his mother while he started playing the guitar at the age of 7 years old. Buendia finished his elementary grades in Pasig Catholic College, Pasig, in 1983; and high school in University of Perpetual Help, Rizal. Buendia later enrolled in the University  of the Philippines Diliman where he formed several bands like "Bluidie Tryste" and "Sunday School", and finally the "Eraserheads". Buendia has two children, Una Aurea (with his first wife, Vicky Cayago), and Eon Drake, (with Pupil co-manager Diane Ventura). He had a relationship with Andi Trinidad of Mega Magazine and reportedly dated TV5 news anchor and model Shawn Yao. Eraserheads (1989–2002). In December 1989, Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro and Buddy Zabala formed their band, the "Eraserheads", in the University of the Philippines Diliman, where Buendia majored in film at the College of Mass Communications (he began his  first year in college in 1987). The band found that they weren't good at covering other people's hits, so they focused on writing their own material instead. In 1991, Buendia explained, ""After all, if we committed a mistake no one would recognize it since they don't know the song, right?"" Performing their original songs before live audiences soon earned them a cult following within the University, that gradually spread outside the campus. One of the songs, a pop song entitled "Pare Ko", which Buendia wrote, caused a stir, partly because of the lyrics that included swear words . The Eraserheads eventually signed a 3-year deal with BMG Pilipinas. Their debut album, "Ultraelectromagneticpop!", featured no less than the chart-topping "Pare Ko" and a host of other novelty pieces that had people listening and discovering more about the quartet. The album also brought the fledgling underground college rock scene to public awareness. 1993 saw the emergence of "Eraserheadsmania" because of their successive hit singles, sold-out concerts and thousands of fans. Buendia continued to write songs for the band, many of which became hit singles and band classics. Eraserheads lasted for ten years before finally breaking up with  Buendia and Adoro's departure. During its 10-year stint, the band produced eight studio albums along with other EPs and singles. Their gigs took them out of the country, with tours in the United States and other countries. One album, "Aloha Milkyway", was released in the Asia-Pacific region. Eraserheads were also the first ever Filipino act to receive the "Moon Man" trophy for winning the 1997 MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award for the music video of their hit song, "Ang Huling El Bimbo". The latter was also written by Buendia, among many which the band released. Leaving  the Eraserheads. After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that Buendia had left the band in mid-March 2002 for "reasons unknown". However, in subsequent interviews, Buendia referred to business matters as the cause of the band's break-up. In an interview, Marasigan said he was eating in SM Megamall, a local shopping mall, when he heard of the news (how he heard of it, was not clear). He said he was "semi-surprised" and wondered if Zabala already knew about it. Adoro told of the story now famous among Eraserheads fans about Buendia's cryptic SMS text message . He said Buendia sent in the text message that it's already time to "graduate". Adoro quipped in the same interview that Buendia's being the first to graduate was natural, since he was in Batch 1987 in the (UP, Diliman), while they were in Batch 1988. Zabala confessed in an interview that disbanding was not far from the members' minds. He mentioned that there were many occasions where they could have disbanded but they did not. Adoro expressed the belief of some people that the band was getting too old and that it was "selfish" for the band to  continue, likely referring to comments about how it's time for other bands besides Eraserheads to shine. The band made it clear, though, that Buendia's departure from the band wasn't in any way violent and there was no shouting ("sigawan") or any confrontation. Without giving up, the three remaining original Eraserheads decided to continue on. Within just a few weeks, the "new" Eheads debuted at the local Hard Rock Cafe in Makati on April 19 featuring a female singer-guitarist, Kris Gorra-Dancel from the band, "Fatal Posporos". However, after a few months, Adoro quit the band as  well. The remaining members of Eraserheads, Marasigan and Zabala, thereafter added Diego Mapa and Ebe Dancel to their lineup and renamed their band, "Cambio". The Eraserheads went onstage staged a reunion concert on August 30, 2008 at the Fort Open Field, Taguig, but which was cut short unexpectedly. The continuation of the concert was held at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on March 7, 2009. 2003–present. The Mongols. After Ely's departure from the Eraserheads, he would invite musicians and jam together. He had no definite line-up at that time, "I have, like, 10 members in  the band right now. I have two drummers, two bass players..." according to Ely in an interview with Martin Nievera. This jamming together with friends would eventually evolve into The Mongols. It was composed of guitarist J. Astro (also known as Jerome Velasco) (of The Teeth), bassist Yan Yuzon, drummer Bogs "Boga Man" Jugo (of the indie pop band Daydream Cycle), and Buendia on guitars and vocals, under the stage name Jesus "Dizzy" Ventura. The band was managed by Day Cabuhat, one of Eraserheads' former managers. According to one of Eraserhead's event producers, Ely's "Jesus" stage name was  from an inside joke during Eraserhead's US Tour. Ely and Marcus bought replica sheriff badges at the Universal Studios Hollywood and Ely got a badge with the name "Jesus" while Marcus' was "Cesar". The Mongols released a self-produced underground EP in CD-R format with factory-printed sleeves in April 2003, "A Fraction of A Second". It contains five tracks, "Case Logic", "No", "Tomorrowland", "KSP" and "Abstraction of A Second". It was released under Redrum Records. After a few months, the Mongols decided to have their self-produced album distributed by Neo Records Inc. under the major label  VIVA Records. The result is a thirteen-track album called "Buddha's Pest". Its tracks include "Keeper", "Bulakbol", "Bakit Nga Ba?", "Pony", "Teka Muna", "Candy Flip", "Heroine", "Wig Out", "It's Over", "Irish Spring", "Odd Even", "Your Bushido", plus an untitled instrumental track. It was produced by The Genghis Klan under Criminal Records. Pupil. Shortly after The Mongols' guitarist, J. Astro, left the band, the remaining members renamed their group Pupil. Buendia chanced upon the band name while reading a medical book. The band gained mainstream popularity, in contrast to the Mongols. Bogs left the band after their 1st album  Beautiful Machines, and was succeeded by Wendell Garcia. Pupil's guitarist Yanny Yuzon also left the band in 2013. Day Cabuhat Pupil's Manager announced that ""Yanny is no longer. Transitions and changes are normal within any band structure and we all thank you for the understanding and continued support of all of our projects..."" The Oktaves. The band consists of Ely Buendia as the frontman, Nitoy Adriano as the lead guitarist, Chris Padilla also in Guitars, Ivan Garcia on bass and Bobby Padilla on drums. "Nitoy Adriano is a former member of quintessential Filipino rock band The Jerks. They  are the original alternative and blues band of the Philippines. Current and past members are considered icons in the local music scene," MCA Music, Inc. said. "Chris Padilla, Bobby Padilla and Ivan Garcia are actually a three piece rockabilly group called Hilera. They may be new players in the scene compared to the other two members but they have already made quite an impact by winning the Nescafe sound school competition in 2005 and by being nominated and winning various rock awards," MCA added. How the band was formed, MCA Music, Inc. said, "The members have collaborated several times before  most notably when Hilera took part in the production of Buendia's project with Francis Magalona entitled 'In Love and War'. However, the band was officially formed almost exactly a year ago when they first went onstage as "Oktaves" when they performed at the inaugural Esquire (magazine) ball." "The collaboration turned into a headlining band which now plays in the best rock venues in the country. They now have a repertoire of original songs and also perform a good number of classic rock anthems. Oktaves' brand of music is straight up rock n' roll. Their music is very relatable to  various audiences of different generations. Whilst their sound is classy and sophisticated, they are also very appealing to the mainstream crowd," MCA Music Inc. said. Their 1st album was the self-titled album "The Oktaves" it has 12 tracks including their 1st single "K.U.P.A.L (K.P.L)", their another single "Paakyat ka pa lang, Pababa na ako" and the song "Bungo Sa Bangin" by Ely Buendia feat. Turbogoth and Pepe Smith from the album "Rock Rizal", an album tribute for José Rizal, it consist of Various Artists including Ely Buendia. Apartel. In 2016, Buendia launched a new band with Jay Ortega (of  DRT, Gnash, Wally Gonzalez, and Tres), which is primarily focused on soul music, RnB, funk, and semblances of jazz. Buendia met Ortega during the latter's launch of his bar and cafe called Spin Cafe. The two later collaborated and started to form a group, with members and contributors Pat Sarabia (drums), Coco Coo (guitars), RJ Pineda (keyboards), Redge Concepcion (guitars), Louie Talan (bass), Carissa Ramos (bass), Deej Rodriguez (percussion), Roxy Modesto (saxophone), Wowie Ansano (trumpet), Pards Tupas (trombone), Joseph Cabañero (saxophone), Donna Sagun Señoran(harp and backup vocals), and Ramonne Rodriguez (backup vocals). Buddy Zabala (bass), Nitoy Adriano (guitars), Cooky  Chua (backup vocals), Wendell Garcia (drums), and the group Bras Pas Pas Pas (horns), also shared their expertise to the band's album tracks. Entitled "Inner Play", the band's first album was released digitally on September 29, 2016. The double album 45RPM vinyl version was manufactured in Japan, and the band opted not to release in CD format due to piracy and decreasing number of CD users, which was released on November 12, 2016 at the HiFi Show, Dusit Thani Hotel. Inner Play will be released under Buendia and Ortega's own record label called Offshore Music. According to  Buendia in an interview with Myx, their band name was inspired by the 1980s new wave band, The Motels. However, according to Buendia, Apartel's sound is a tribute to 1970s music, such as Stax Records, Motown, Manila Sound, APO Hiking Society, VST & Co., and Rico J. Puno. The band launched its first music video for their single "Is It Hip?" on September 17, 2016, in Victoria Court, Malate, and was directed by Marie Jamora and produced by Artikulo Uno Productions. The band also covers songs from its influences such as Sly & Family Stone's "Thank You For Talking To  Me Africa". The band released Inner Play (Remixes) in 2017. Its latest album, "Full Flood", was released in 2018. Health. On January 7, 2007, Ely Buendia suffered a heart attack or acute myocardial infarction secondary to arterial blockage. It began when Buendia complained about finding it a bit hard to breathe while they were on the way to a gig in Laguna. But he dismissed it as mere heartburn. After some time, Buendia was reportedly in the middle of a song during a gig in Calamba, Laguna when he felt a sudden pain in his chest and left arm. He  was rushed to an intensive care unit at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa. "It turns out that he'd been having a heart attack for the last twenty five hours." according to ex-eheads manager Jessica Zafra. Doctors performed an angiogram on the frontman and it confirmed the heart attack as two of his arteries were blocked. Buendia's condition was confirmed stable after an emergency angioplasty operation headed by Dr. Benjie Luna during the same night. According to Dok Sergio, "Ely is fine, successful "yung" surgery last night. (Last night's surgery was a success )." The second angioplasty operation conducted on Ely Buendia on January 10, 2007 was successful and is secured from having heart attack recurrence. "The operation was a super success. He is totally out of danger and heart attack recurrence is not expected." according to Buendia's attending physician and cardiac surgeon, Dr. Wilfred Dee. On behalf of Pupil, Ms. Day Cabuhat and Diane Ventura gave major thanks to everyone who called, visited and expressed their concerns to Buendia's condition such as fans, writers, editors, media, sponsors, networks, producers, and most especially to local musicians such as Yael Yuzon, Japs Sergio , Francis Magalona, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Kiko Machine, Menaya, Rico Blanco, Urbandub, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro and many others. Buendia was finally released from hospital and was allowed to stay home and rest by his doctors by the night of January 15, 2007. "I've got a bionic heart now," joked by Buendia. This event prompted rap artist Francis Magalona, a longtime friend of Buendia and the other Eraserheads, to state the following in his personal blogsite: "Fast forward to right now, 9:58 am, Jan. 9, a lot of what ifs scenarios pop in my head. What if the E -heads members are back, like long-lost blood brothers? What if "the most significant OPM band of Pinoy Rock" would be in one room, what would happen?" And in postscript he adds, "Para sa akin panahon na para mag-reunite ang E-heads. Sugod na mga kapatid...rock & roll na hanggang umaga.", which roughly translates, "For me, it's time for E-Heads to reunite. Let's go brothers...rock & roll until the morning comes." Ely's first on-stage public appearance after his heart attack was on Saturday 10 February 2007 as his band, Pupil, performed at The Music  Hall in SM Mall of Asia, in an Animax event called "Love Is In The Air". The event featured a speed dating event as a welcome celebration for Valentine's Day and live performances from other local artists such as Callalily, and Amber. Pupil is also part of "Super Proxy Jam". It is an event that is hoping to spread awareness for the importance of Cardiovascular Health and for the benefit of The Heartist Foundation Inc. Francis Magalona & The Hardware Syndrome, Parokya Ni Edgar, Gloc-9, Dicta License, PiKaSO, and Dice & Mobbstar are also participants in the said event. Heartist Foundation  Inc. is another collaborative effort between Ely Buendia and Francis Magalona that aims to help Filipino artists with health problems. Eraserheads reunion. Buendia joined Marasigan, Adoro, and Zabala for a one-night-only reunion show on August 30, 2008, at The Fort Open Grounds, In Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The concert, however, was cut short after Buendia collapsed due to emotional stress. They were already halfway of a planned 30-song setlist as Ely reportedly collapsed backstage during a break and was rushed to the Makati Medical Center. He was, however, reported to be in stable condition. Buddy had checked  on Ely in his tent right after they went to their planned 20 minute break and saw that he already was on an oxygen mask with paramedics checking his blood pressure. As he left and came back, paramedics already took Ely on an ambulance. Bandmates Buddy, Raimund and Marcus further said that they had no idea that Ely was already having difficulty performing. Results showed that Buendia suffered from a slight attack and Hypokalemia. The doctors at Philippine Heart Center had found another blocked artery and performed angioplasty right away, which is Buendia's third since 2007. On September 5 , 2008, Buendia was discharged from the hospital. Other works. Free Mali. Buendia is a supporter of PETA's campaign to free Mali from captivity in the Manila zoo and have her moved to Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand."I am urging my fans to raise their voices to help free Mali,[She] has been lonely for more than 36 years," the 43-year-old musician thinks that "a sanctuary can give her (Mali) the kind of life that she needs and deserves." "If you can't imagine how that feels, just try to remember what you were doing in  1979. That's the last time Mali saw another elephant," Ely added. The frontman of "Pupil" and "Oktaves" hopes that "people will join me in calling for Mali's transfer to a sanctuary where she can finally be free to act like an elephant and engage in the behavior that comes naturally to her."