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Historic! and I was part of it. It’s been quite a time since I had my last entry. Now I have something really amazing to share…thanks to this job… I was tasked to coordinate and research about the eraserheads concert… THE ERASERHEADS REUNION CONCERT, mind you! And here are some of my personal accounts in the event. - We, the press people were asked to arrive before 6:00 pm for the press briefing. I was there for Unang Hirit (though I also coordinated for my other show in Q 11, The Beat). We signed a waiver, waited for about 30 minutes outside the entrance of the backstage area, then asked to get inside for a short briefing. We were told that we should be out after three songs. we will be escorted and those who want to reenter should buy tickets. - We were given media pass (i.d’s) then waited again. tambay at matinding chismisan. I realized the great necessity of eating so we could last even just for the third song and so I asked our service driver to buy us food. We had dinner just right behind the entrance of the backstage area. - My producers thought of buying tickets so they could reenter after the third song and so we went outside. We passed by some people who were looking for people who’d want to sell their tickets. Near the ticket booth, someone came up to me offering his general admissions ticket for P500 (P844 kasi yun). I was hesitant. And when I decided to purchase it, it was no longer available. My producers bought the patron tickets. - We headed back to our area just right in time for ingress of the media people. A media pit was allotted right before the stage, so we had our full view of the performing area. This I thought is the place where history will be made. And I am going to be part of it. I so love my job! - And so to serve the real purpose why I was there, we started taking short interviews of the audience. People there that night went crazy every time a camera focused on them. They all have their favorite Eraserheads song to share. And I was amazed how people still memorize the songs even though it’s been more than a decade since they were made. As if people had to dig them out from their “baul” and the songs remained fresh in their hearts and in their minds. Along with the joy it brings them. That’s the magic of music. - They had a full, amazing production set up. Mahihiya si Alicia Keys at Beyonce sa set up ng stage at ng sound system! Sabi nga ng mga crew ko, kinabog neto ang concert nung dalawang int’l artist na nagperform ditto recently, nacover din kasi namen yun for The Beat. The organizers set up four big lcd’s on both sides of the stage. And behind the band set up is a humongous video wall that served as the back draft where photos and stuff would be looped and dissolved with videos of the Phil’s Fab four. - At about 8:15, a huge timer was shown ng the video wall and people screamed as we count down to the most awaited appearance of the Eraserheads. And as the clock the strikes 00:00, one by one, the four came out on the stage. And so all of us went crazy. - They had Alapaap as the opening song. Ely said “thank you and good night” after the songs, as if that was it. Show ends, so everybody went crazy again. And here is the list of the next 14 songs they sang o Ligaya o Sembreak o Hey Jay o Harana o Fruitcake o Toyang o Kama Supra o Kailan o Huwag Kang Matakot o Kaliwete o With a Smile o Shake Yer Head o Huwag Mo Nang Itanong o Lightyears. Sad. Beautiful song. - At the beginning of the third song, I sneaked my way through the Patron audience area and blended with the crowd. Sorry guys, I know it wasn’t the right thing to do but I couldn’t imagine myself going out and not finishing the concert. My apologies I just did what I think most of you will do. haha. I believe only ¼ of the media people followed the rules and went out after the third song. Good thing I’m not a cameraman so the bouncers didn’t notice me, I just had to remove my i.d. - At the end of the 13th song, Ely’s guitar was again, replaced by the technical people. He was moving quite oddly, he seemed very tired and he had the technical people just put the guitar strap over his shoulder as he stood still. Matamlay na siya. I’m not sure if it was before the 15th song or the end of it where Ely just sat down as if showing how tired he really was. A technical person had to assist him on his way out. Then a huge “20:00” appeared on the video wall. It was a break before the next set. - After about 10 minutes the video wall went black, the timer disappeared while everyone went their ways in buying drinks. - After about 30 min, the stage was lit and the three band members, Buddy, Raimund and Marcus along with other guys and a girl went up the stage. They announced that the concert had to be cut short due to Ely’s poor health. The girl, Lally Buendia (Ely’s sister) read a statement and asked for an apology. Everyone was silent. And Mr. Francis Lumen (of Mtv Phils. who was one of the guys in black0 asked that we offer Ely a one-minute prayer. - We were all silent. I personally though it was some kind of a joke or a gimmick before originally, forum streams on the net mentioned that the concert will only be for 45 mins. - I couldn’t believe that such thing could happen on a long awaited event. - People calmly find their way out. I went back to the backstage area where I met with my crew. We pulled out but had to go back because my cameraman lost his gma i.d along with his license. We were lucky to find the organizers and Buddy zabala. and here’s what we found out from them. ely had a slight heart attack, he had a hard time breathing and was rushed to makati med. they believe it was due to emotional stress, his mom died just too days ago, and physical stress, the band sound check lasted until 3:00 am Saturday. it was about 11:00 pm when we interviewed them and we were told that ely was already stable. they were very sorry but nobody wanted it to happen. there would still be no formal statement but they’re hoping for a repeat. And this is what I had to go through before 83008 o Finding the real sponsor (to request for permit to shoot) was a major headache. Good thing I liked the assignment and I was too exited the moment I was told to research for it. And so I had to dig my way to find the real people behind the reunion. - First we had Marlboro Philippines, all you gotta do is be on the red list and then you’ll be given an opportunity to be at the concert. Then I was referred to Philip Morris, had to call them everyday, twice only to hear the same thing over and over- wait for further announcement. - Wednesday before 83008, news rouse that Philip Morris backed out. I texted Ms. Julie, Marcus Adoro’s PR? and asked about it. she replied that it’s Sony BMG. then the company gave me the same word- wait for further notice. - The following day, Thursday, I read on the internet that Radiohead Media is behind the promotions. I found no contact numbers, the website was non existent. All I had is a name- Francis Lumen who is also with MTV. And then I tried MTV and at long last, I was given confirmation that it is indeed possible to cover the concert. Dun na ako nakahinga nga maayos haha excited na ako sobra. - I shouldn’t miss pala na about two weeks before the concert I contacted the handlers of the fab four for an interview but they were given instructions not to accommodate any interviews before the concert. I had to meet up with Marcus Adoro at his gig in 70’s bistro to ensure that he’ll be accommodating us days after the concert. baka kasi siya mawala na lang bigla ayun. - eto daw yung mga songs for the next set o maskara o poorman’s grave o torpedo o trip to jerusalem o back to me o maselang bahaghari o maling akala o tikman o spolarium o magasin o para sa masa o overdrive o pare ko o minsan o huling el bimbo - i'd still be praying for ely... sobrang nakakahinayang, ang gaganda ng songs sa last set kaso mejo corny na kung may repeat :-( shagged on 8/31/2008 04:07:00 PM