On December 22, 2022, just three days before Christmas, the Eraserheads treated their fans to a reunion concert at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City.
The one-night concert dubbed Huling El Bimbo seemingly came out of nowhere and many were surprised when the official announcement was made in September.
There were signs that the hit-making band, which shaped the ’90s OPM scene and consisted of Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro, and Raimund Marasigan, was not in agreement and seemed to be at odds again, making the prospect of another reunion show unlikely.
However, similar to their previous reunion concerts, the four musicians set aside their differences to come together and revisit the songs that elevated them to iconic status in Philippine music and culture.
Huling El Bimbo was a success, drawing an estimated 75,000 attendees according to its organizers.
The concert likewise paved the way for a world tour that is currently ongoing, with the band scheduled to perform in Australia and New Zealand this March.
What’s more, the highly anticipated documentary Eraserheads: Combo On The Run will premiere in Philippine cinemas from March 21 to 23, 2025.
UNFILTERED LOOK AT THE BAND’S STORY
The idea for Eraserheads: Combo On The Run took shape while the band was simultaneously preparing for the Huling El Bimbo reunion show
It provided the ideal backdrop for a documentary as ambitious as this one.
The 2022 reunion concert marked the 20th anniversary of the band’s breakup, which followed the abrupt departure of vocalist-guitarist and chief songwriter Ely Buendia.
For New York-based filmmaker Diane Ventura, the timing was perfect for a thorough documentary that explores the history of the Eraserheads — from the band’s formation and struggles to their rise to fame, the internal tensions that led to their separation, and their ascent as arguably the most influential Filipino band.
“This is a comprehensive deconstruction of the band’s mythology, humanity, complex relationship, and the lasting mark they left on Filipino culture — one that transcends generations and differences,” said Diane in a press release.
In hindsight, no one is perhaps more suited for the job than Diane, whose directorial work includes the award-winning films TheRapist, Awaken, and the German film Diene Farbe.
As Ely’s former partner, she had a front-row view of the band’s internal dynamics during its final years.
Although her relationship with the other band members was initially distant (times were different back then), it has since evolved for the better.
Over the years, Diane — who co-manages Ely’s career and whose DVent production company has organized numerous Eraserheads reunion shows — has earned the trust of Marcus, Buddy, and Raimund, allowing them to comfortably participate in the documentary and share their stories.
Diane described all four members as “notorious for their guarded aloofness,” making her feel “incredibly lucky and grateful to have witnessed these men allowing themselves to open up in ways no one has ever seen before.”
She added, “Each interview revealed new layers and complexities, which found us constantly reframing to deepen the narrative.”
EXPLORING THE REASONS BEHIND THE BAND’S DEMISE
The cause of the Eraserheads’ breakup has long been a point of intrigue for fans, and the documentary boldly tackles that elephant in the room: What led to the band’s split?
Sure, fans have heard or read about the infamous “roadie incident”—a story that, ironically, Diane herself shared back in 2005 in an article published by Pulp magazine.
However, the story has never been addressed by the band members themselves in past interviews, even when they were pressed numerous times about the reasons behind the band’s breakup.
Not even the documentary Gusto Mo Bang Sumama? produced by the music channel MYX, which followed the band’s first reunion concert in 2008, was able to provide answers.
If anything, Ely, Marcus, Buddy, and Raimund, without delving into the specifics, have alluded to a series of problems that gradually accumulated and ultimately led to their decision to stop working together as a band.
In Combo On The Run, however, fans will finally hear the band members themselves discuss, for the first time, the untold story of their bitter breakup — a moment that continues to leave fans heartbroken to this day.
“Their candidness and forthright honesty were a gift. It wasn’t just cathartic for them; it was transformative for me as a filmmaker and audience member,” mused Diane.
“It gave me permission to reflect on my own truths, and I hope it does the same for others.”
Once again, the timing of the documentary couldn’t be more perfect.
The passage of time has undoubtedly made Ely, Marcus, Buddy, and Raimund more appreciative of their achievements as a group.
It has also likely given them a deeper, more mature perspective on their time together, making it easier for them to reflect on both the joys and the challenges of being part of a successful band.
KEEPING THE MAGIC ALIVE
Making Combo On The Run — a title taken from the last track of the band’s 1993 groundbreaking debut album Ultraelectromagneticpop! — was a grueling undertaking, with Diane and her team having to do “over 30 reshoots over two years and 58 versions with the help of 4 editors.”
But as with any Eraserheads-related project, nothing comes easy, given the band’s stature and the complex dynamics of their personalities, both as individuals and as a collective unit.
It was all worth it, though, and Diane, who believes Eraserheads: Combo On The Run will be the first and last documentary she ever makes, is proud to play her part in sharing the Eraserheads’ story and contributing to the band’s enduring legacy.
Eraserheads: Combo On The Run is produced by Dvent Pictures and WEU, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
