Ely in stable condition after angioplasty

Declared in “stable condition but still under observation,” Eraserheads lead singer Ely Buendia is resting at the Philippine Heart Center after undergoing an angioplasty last Sunday, several hours after he was brought to the hospital after he complained of chest pains during the 20-minute intermission of the Eraserheads Reunion Concert Saturday night at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field where more than 20,000 fans showed up, including showbiz stars like Lea Salonga, Agot Isidro, Aiza Seguerra, Ryan Eigenmann and the Gutierrez brothers Rocky and Ritchie Paul.

“He’s okay now but he has to remain in the hospital for two more weeks for further therapy,” Ely’s wife Diane Ventura told The STAR. “One of his arteries had been blocked weeks before the concert and his condition was worsened by stress. But the artery has been unblocked 100 percent.”

The physical and emotional stress was due to the death of Ely’s mother three days before the concert on Saturday, Aug. 30, and the rigorous rehearsals for the concert in which Ely reunited with fellow E-Heads Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro and Buddy Zabala. The group broke up a few years ago and each member joined other bands, with Ely forming his own, first Mongol and then Pupil. According to unverified reports, the group was paid P10-M, divided equally among themselves.

Controversy swirled around the much-awaited concert when anti-smoking groups protested against the original promoter, Philip Morris Manufacturing, Inc. (maker of Marlboro), which was taken over by Radio Head Solutions, Inc. and MTV Philippines (headed by Francis Lumen).

During the intermission, Ely’s sister Lally announced to the audience that the concert was being cut short because of Ely’s condition, and then she apologized. Lumen then led the audience in a one-minute prayer for Ely who had been rushed in an ambulance to the Makati Medical Center and then transferred to the Philippine Heart Center.

Ely suffered a stroke early last year also in the middle of a concert in Laguna, but he finished the show even when he was in pain. He reportedly had a bypass.

Asked if Ely would attend the cremation of his mother, moved from today to a later date because the family has to wait for the father’s arrival from abroad, Diane said he might, but only if his doctors would let him.

On the positive side, the unfortunate incident has brought the E-Heads guys closer, with Raimund and Ely sorting out their differences while preparing for the concert.

“The other E-Heads guys have been checking on Ely,” said Diane. “They have been coming to the hospital.”

Although cut short, the very successful reunion concert proved that the E-Heads are still as popular and as in-demand as ever — together, that is — and that their fans have remained loyal and supportive all along.

Would the success of the concert encourage the E-Heads to regroup for good?

“I don’t know,” said Diane. “What we are focusing on now is Ely’s health. We want to make sure that he’s as good as new before we make any plans. I want to assure Ely’s fans that he’s okay now and they have nothing to worry about. I want to thank the fans and also Day Cabuhat, my co-manager, who have always been here for us.”

(Note: For more on Ely Buendia and the Eraserheads concert, tune in to The Ricky Lo Exclusives tonight on Q-11, 8:30 to 9:30, with replays on Sundays, 2 to 3 p.m. Other guests include Lorna Tolentino on “moving on” after the death of her husband Rudy Fernandez, Maxenne Magalona on how her father Francis Magalona is battling leukemia, Iwa Moto on the possibility of visiting her imprisoned father in Japan, GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Wilma Galvante on the issue involving her and Annabelle Rama, and many more.)