Legendary Original Pilipino Music (OPM) band Eraserheads’ upcoming documentary film, “Eraserheads: Combo on the Run,” will officially hit theaters on March 21 to 23.
Producer Warner Brothers Philippines released a nearly three-minute trailer of the documentary.
“Combo on the Run” takes a deep dive into the iconic band’s journey, featuring never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews that highlight the stories behind their classic hits like Ang Huling El Bimbo, Ligaya and Magasin.
Directed by Maria Diane Ventura, the docu will explore the ups and downs of the band’s journey — from their rise to fame in the ‘90s to their enduring impact on OPM.
Formed in 1989, Eraserheads is composed of members Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala and Raimund Marasigan. They disbanded in the early 2000s and had their first reunion concert in 2008. The band once again reunited for their “Huling El Bimbo” global tour.
According to an information given to this paper, the docu film offers an insightful exploration of how a group of once-disbanded punks came together and provided reprieve to an entire nation while, perhaps unknowingly, embarking on a journey of healing themselves.
Its producer and filmmaker Maria Diane believes that the film is much more than a portrayal of a band’s breakup and the proverbial clash of egos. It’s an important piece of work that captures the band’s unflinching honesty and untold story behind the curtains, giving viewers an incredible sense of why they mattered and still do up to this day.
“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,” Ventura shared in a statement.
Known for her acclaimed and award-winning body of work in film and music, the director highlighted the vulnerability of the band members throughout the process.
“Notorious for their guarded aloofness, I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to have witnessed these men allowing themselves to open up in ways people have never seen them,” she recalled.
“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. It gave me permission to reflect on my own truths, and I hope it does the same for others.”
The journey to complete “Combo On The Run” was far from easy. Maria Diane admitted the process was grueling, both physically and emotionally.
“Each interview revealed new layers and complexities, which found us constantly reframing to deepen the narrative. Documentaries are a different animal, and I have tremendous respect for documentary filmmakers,” she further said in the statement.
“It’s such a wild and unpredictable ride because it could go a million different ways. We’ve had over 30 reshoots over two years and 58 versions with the help of four editors. I’ve been so lucky to have had guidance from great friends, filmmakers and the band. If it weren’t for Ely Buendia, Francis Lumen, and the support and help of so many like Warner, WEU, Voyage Studios, and Offshore, I don’t think I could have finished this.
“This would probably be my first and last documentary. An exception only for the Eraserheads, who I owe my career trajectory to and who, objectively, I think is the greatest Philippine artist, with Ely as the best songwriter of all time. This was my way of thanking them by upholding their legacy,” she concluded.