By Jim Ayson

Twenty one bands can numb almost anyone. At least that’s how it appeared to me at the end of the “Lively” Ely Buendia Benefit at Eastwood City last Sunday. As Rivermaya was revving up to strike its last power chord, I was ready to head off home to catch some shuteye for the working day ahead, when lo and behold, Rico Blanco announced that ex-Eraserhead Marcus Adoro was going to mount the stage. Sure enough, peeking from the side of the stage was an almost mystical figure, weatherbeaten, with long hair and a beard, as well a jacket and a scarf. Like Gandalf. Only with a really good tan. [read on]

Dear friends,

The past few weeks have been full of heart-pounding action and drama. It’s also been witness to one of the strangest moments in my life. Until now, as I write this down, I can still scarcely believe that I just went through a relatively new procedure to clear three clogged arteries in that little organ we call the heart. Not to mention the fact that I almost took an early trip to Pleasantville. Yes the worst is over, but there is more work to be done, more medication, more trips to the hospital, more aimless walks around the neighborhood, more flavorless, sodium-free food to be eaten (perhaps forever), until I can carry Eon again or even pick up my electric guitar and do the thing that we all love to do. It’s a long, agonizing wait.

And trust me; I would be there with all of you in an instant if my doctor said I could or if I had actually known about it. Surprise, surprise, a bunch of thoughtful souls decided to stage a benefit on my behalf without telling me.

I have to be honest; I would rather be the one playing onstage right now than be the reason for all the commotion. But as Marcellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction said, “That’s just the pride talkin’.”Another part of me is genuinely grateful and endlessly touched by the
love and support that everyone has given me and my family. One is rarely given an opportunity to see who his friends really are, much less thank them. So bear with me as I take a few music-free moments to do so. It’s the least I could do.

A big thanks to the staff of the Philippine Heart Center. Dr.Wilfred Dee whose sure hand and kind voice made healing a quick and painless process. Thanks also to his secretary Constance Quiambao and the peeps at Johnson and Johnson. The people who have given more than anyone else, Mr. Don Ventura and the whole Ventura clan, Donna, Dong,
Dina, Ding, Dang, Mong, Dale, Don, and Deneese. My mom, my brother, and my sisters. Everyone who made my stay in the ICU a little more bearable. To name just a few, the boys of Rivermaya and Parokya, The Pupil Listers, Buddy and Earnest Zabala, Tommy and Marilen Tanchanco, and Francis Magalona. To the media, GMA 7 and ABS-CBN, Ms. Shirley Pizarro from Manila Bulletin who made sure I was still alive in the newspapers and television. Donna and Mr. Ong of Pony, my label Sony BMG, Ms. Day Cabuhat, my brothers in Pupil and their better halves, and of course, my best half, the one who has saved my life once again, Diane.

Of course let us not forget the people who made this event happen in the first place. Thanks to Ms. Julie Pacana, Ricky Lee, Tintin Bersola, all members of the LivEly Organizing Committee, Magic 89.9, PMX, all the bands who are playing today and each and every one in the audience, I thank you all from the bottom of my recuperating heart.

Before the party continues, I would just like to make one more announcement: In the same spirit of charity which you have all shown today, Diane and I have decided to donate a big portion of the proceeds of this event to a charity of our choice.

Again, thank you all and party on. This means so much to me. Despite the actual length of my letter, I am actually still speechless and extremely overwhelmed.

Thank you, thank you.

Yours truly,
Ely Buendia

IT’s gonna be big event on the January 28 as several bands will rock the Sunday for the benefit of Ely Buendia. It could also be a time for all of us to bind together and pour in our support– financially, morally and spiritually– to someone who have contributed so much in the Pinoy music industry and have even served as inspiration to the sprouting bands today.

Those who cannot make it to the event, you can just pause for a minute and say prayer for his fast recovery so that he could get back on stage the soonest possible time.  Let us all bind together for this event for the benefit of Ely Buendia.

From Luzon to Tawi-tawi…”Kamon-kamon let’s join us, buong Pilipinas” on the 28th. Don’t come alone or two, bring as many you can. This time, it’s not just having a “plain” fun but having  fun with extra effort to help Ely and his family.

You might as well have been living under a rock for the past two weeks if you hadn’t heard all about the drama involving Ely Buendia, once the frontman for the legendary 90’s supergroup the Eraserheads, since then the Pupil of his new band’s eye. That’s right, the heart attack (at the ripe young age of 36) in the midst of a gig, the twin angioplasties, the unwarranted charges of drug use (by rock icon Mike Hanopol of all people), the denials, the talk show guestings, the recovery, the text messages from well wishers, and the hospital visits by Francis M bearing trans-fat laden Krispy Kremes. [read on]

You have probably heard, seen, or read about it: while onstage at a Laguna gig with Pupil last Sunday, January 7, Ely Buendia suffered from acute myocardial infraction (or heart attack due to clogged arteries; three clogged arteries, as reported). He was able to finish the set and was rushed to the Asian Hospital in Alabang, where doctors performed an angioplasty on him. (His wife, Diane Ventura, recounted that, prior to the gig, Ely had been complaining about chest pains, but he merely dismissed it as heartburn.) A second angioplasty was performed on the composer at the Philippine Heart Center, where he was transferred a day after the first procedure. The two consecutive operations were potentially damaging, but our pare survived them both. [read on]

WHATEVER you do, Mr. Ely Buendia, don’t die on us.You are a music icon who is as rare as they come. You are a vacant cab with an accommodating driver during the holidays. You are a cop who’s actually out to protect the citizenry. You are an honest politician. You are a film fest movie deserving of an award. You are a critically-acclaimed Cueshe hit.

I am a loyal Thomasian; you are the only reason I regret not having studied at the University of the Philippines.

If you go, what does that leave us with? A handful of artistic bands under the radar and Orange and Lemons. We scrounge the city for bars where one plays, and puke when the other’s songs go on air. [read on]