Monday, September 01, 2008 Eraserheads concert cut short; vocalist rushed to hospital
THE long-awaited reunion concert of most-admired band Eraserheads was cut short Saturday night as frontman Ely Buendia was rushed to the hospital.
Shortly before the band had to take an intermission break at 9:30 in the evening, Buendia, during the last part of his song, bended down on his knees while holding his chest.
During the break, Buendia’s sister told the audience of the bad news.
“We apologize for cutting this concert short. My brother has to be rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Again we apologize and thank you all of you for coming tonight.”
Buendia thanked the crowd and appealed for prayers for his brother.
“Thank you everyone for supporting the reunion of Eraserheads,” she said.
She also explained that perhaps his brother’s poor health is due to stress.
“My brother’s poor health could have been caused by emotional or physical stress that he is experiencing,” she explained.
The crowd was silent after hearing the bad news.
The three-hour concert was cut short.
Reports said Buendia’s condition could have been caused by “extreme exhaustion” when his mother passed away last August 28 due to cardiac arrest.
Despite the band vocalist’s physical and emotional situation, the concert had to push through.
The family of Buendia did not however confirm that the vocalist had a heart attack.
He was first rushed to the Makati Medical Center at 10 p.m. for first aid treatment and was transferred to the Philippine Heart Center.
Buendia suffered from a heart attack in January 2007. He had successfully undergone two angioplasty surgeries.
The Eraserheads reunion concert became controversial due to its first sponsor, a tobacco company, which was condemned by some concerned groups from sponsoring concerts and other promotional events.
The concert managed to push through when a new sponsor took over bringing in some changes in the show.
In a television interview last Sunday, Buendia’s wife Diane Ventura replied said the singer is now fine.
“He is now stable. He is safe from harm. Tell the fans not to worry,” the wife said.
The family continued to request for privacy from the media.
Eraserheads was one of the most popular bands in the 1990s. They unfortunately disbanded in 2002. Some band members are now part of several famous rock bands. (JRDB/Sunnex)
