E-Heads reunion concert cut short

Here’s the official statement of ABS-CBN on the issue concerning its News & Public Affairs Department (whose head, Maria Ressa, has put Luchi Cruz-Valdes on “preventive suspension pending the outcome of an investigation” into Luchi’s alleged act of “insubordination” and an “unethical” attitude: The issue is not merely about a petty personal difference or a simple administrative concern. It is about an internal professional matter that is now being deliberated upon at the highest corporate level. The process is being done to uphold the utmost professional standards not only in our News & Public Affairs Division but in the entire organization

It happened Saturday night, Aug. 30, just when the 20,000-plus fans that filled up every nook and cranny of the Bonifacio Global City Open Field were, so to speak, getting into the groove along with the four Eraserheads members — led by Ely Buendia, and including Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro — who were reuniting after they had gone their separate ways.

During the 20-minute intermission, Ely’s sister Lally went onstage to announce that the concert was being cut short because Ely was having chest pains and had to be rushed to the hospital. She apologized for the unexpected turn of events.

That was after the E-Heads sang 15 songs —- Alapaap, Ligaya, Sem-Break, Hey Jay, Harana, Fruitcake, Toyang, Kamasutra, Kailan, Wag Kang Matakot, Kaliwete, With a Smile, Shake Your Head, Wag Mo Itanong and Lightyears.

“Everybody understood, nobody complained,” said Frnacis Lumen of Radio Head Media Solutions, Inc. (and MTV Philippines) which took over as producer from Philip Morris Manufacturing Inc. (maker of Marlboro) barely four days before showtime, after anti-smoking groups protested against a cigaret company promoting a show aimed at the young set.

Then, after apologizing to the crowd, Francis led a one-minute prayer for Ely who had undergone a heart bypass two years ago.

“He was physically and emotionally exhausted due to the rigorous rehearsals and the death of his mother last Thursday,” said Francis. (The remains of Ely’s mother are at the BF Homes in Las Piñas City.)

Among those in the audience were Lea Salonga and husband Robert Chien, Agot Isidro and husband Manu Sandejas, Aiza Seguerra, Francine Prieto, Sarah Meier, director Joyce Bernal, Ryan Eigenmann, Ornussa Cadness, Atom Henares and the Gutierrez brothers Rocky and Ritchie Paul.

Here’s the official statement from Radio Head Media Solutions, Inc. management:

The Eraserheads Reunion concert was truly a night to remember, finally another encore to the most successful, critically-acclaimed, and significant band in the history of Original Pilipino Music OPM). It was the reunion of all reunions.

The crowd cheered when the countdown started. As the band emerged from the stage, the whole Bonifacio Global City Open Field went wild. The E-Heads’ first song was Alapaap. Everyone was singing along as the band sang Ligaya, Sem-Break, Harana, Toyang and With a Smile.

After 15 songs, Ely Buendia, the front man of the legendary band, experienced extreme exhaustion. During the 20-minute intermission, Mr. Buendia had to be rushed to Makati Medical Center. He was later transferred to the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. He is now in stable condition but is still under observation.

We are extending our gratitude to all the 20,000 plus fans who attended the show. Thank you very much for understanding the circumstances and accepting the situation.

The rest of the band members are asking for continued prayers for the speedy recovery of Mr. Ely Buendia.

Meanwhile, a piece of good news from Funfare’s Toronto-based “international correspondent” Ferdinand Lapuz:

Cinemalaya Best Film Jay had its international premiere at the 65th Venice Film Festival in Italy. The press and industry screening was last Thursday, Aug. 28, at PalaLido and the first public screening last Friday, Aug. 30, at the Sala Grande in Palazzo de Cinema.

All films in main competition, out of competition and Orizzonti sections have their first public screenings in the said venue.

Films in the Orizzonti Section are screened at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Three films in the main and out of competition will be screened until midnight.

The opening film was the Coen Brother’s Burn After Reading. Actors George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton and the Coen Brothers were there to present the film.

The delegates of each film were presented on the red carpet and welcomed by festival director Marco Mueller.

Jay is represented by director Francis Xavier Pasion, cinematographer Carlo Mendoza, yours truly (the distributor) and Baron Geisler. We were met by Mr. Mueller, selection committee member Paolo Bertolin and film delegation representative Laura Amione.

The film, which ran for 96 minutes, was given a roar of approval and applause by the audience.

From the Sala Grande, the team was led to the press conference room. The presscon was mediated by Bertolin who was instrumental in bringing Filipino films back to Venice after last year’s Death in the Land of the Encantos by Lav Diaz whose other film, Melancholia, is also in the festival.

Jay and Melancholia are competing for the Orizzonti award while Pasion is competing for the Luigi de Laurentis award for Best First Feature which comes with $100,000 and 40,000 Euros voucher to be spent on film stock granted by Kodak.

The first public screening of Melancholia will be on Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. (no breaks) at the Sala Perla. Lav, actors Perry Dizon and Angeli Bayani and production supervisor Kristine Kintana will present the film.

What’s next for Jay? It is in the main competition at the Bangkok International Film Festival next month and in the official selection at filmfests in Vancouver, Pusan and London. Jay has also been invited to the Stockholm Filmfest.

Direk Francis would like to thank the Film Development Council of the Philippines for subsidizing the trip (his, and those of Baron and Carlo). Also, Filipino couple Dave and Maritess and the Redemptorist Convent in Venice for adopting us after the festival’s three-night accomodations.

• Top: Nora Aunor is shown with immigration lawyer and STAR columnist Michael Gurfinkel after she got her greencard a few days ago. It was also Gurfinkel who processed Nora’s application for an extra-ordinary visa. Does that mean that Nora can or may now come home? Not yet, not so soon. There are, ehem,”’complications.”

• Funfare is asking its readers to pray for the speedy recovery of Tiya Dely (Magpayo) who is confined at the Manila Doctors Hospital after a brain stroke late Saturday night while she was hosting her dzRH program Serenata Filipina. According to Danny Dolor, Tiya Dely’s good friend, Tiya Dely had just played the intro music, Bella Filipina, when it happened. “Nabubulol daw magsalita,” said Danny. Tiya Dely, who’s turning 88 next month, was supposed to receive a Saguisag Award yesterday afternoon, together with Carlo J. Caparas, for helping propagate the Filipino language.