Eraserheads. Image: Team Eraserheads/WEU
Three years after the Eraserheads reunited at the “Huling El Bimbo” show, the members had the chance to reclaim their narratives through their respective points of view in “Eraserheads: Combo on the Run.”
The documentary film revisits the past, present, and future of Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro, recalling how they were formed at UP Diliman, rising to fame, the breakdown of their working relationship, solo paths, and how they took it upon themselves to heal.
According to writer-director Diane Ventura, creating “Combo on the Run” was not a “10-year thought process.” The docufilm was a spontaneous decision made during the band’s rehearsal for their 2022 show. It was supposed to be a two-part series, but compiling the members’ answers prompted her to turn it into a two-hour film.
“The guys were ready to reclaim their narrative and own what was theirs. I needed to honor that. That’s where the objectivity came from,” Ventura said during a talkback session during an advanced screening.
“We all have our preconceived notions and biases. I think, if anything, it is the importance of expression and communication. But of course, you have to be in a position of wanting to understand the other person,” she continued, touching on how the docufilm portrayed the band healing on their own terms.
Touching on the subject of healing, Buendia said learning how to “listen and have a conversation” is an example. “No matter how difficult it is,” he pointed out. The musician then recalled a time when he and a band member opened up about a “very, very huge issue,” which allowed them to be more open with each other.
“There was a danger of things happening again, like almost breaking out of the band again. But it’s a good thing that we had a good experience with this documentary,” he said. “We were more open. It was the first time the four of us sat together in a room just to discuss things and iron out our differences. That was the lesson [I learned].”
Eraserheads. Image: Team Eraserheads/WEU
Witnessing Buendia, Marasigan, Zabala, and Adoro’s opening up about the band’s history reminded Ventura that healing doesn’t automatically turn a painful past around. “It is not a destination or finality. It’s a work in progress. It is a process,” she said, noting how she made sure to create a safe environment for the members to heal at their own pace and be honest.
“It doesn’t mean they got back together, it’s going to be perfect. As with any relationship, conflict will ensue, but it’s how you’ll handle conflict and fix the differences,” she said. “They have the tools to communicate and articulate whatever their feelings are, they’re able to resolve conflict. I think that’s something we can all resonate with.”
Co-existing truths
Since Ventura was Buendia’s ex-wife and years-long business partner, she confessed that she was only aware of the singer-songwriter’s side of the story. One of the most unforgettable moments of working on “Combo on the Run” was being aware of Marasigan, Zabala, and Adoro’s “multiple truths” and how they can co-exist with Buendia’s.
“For years, I only got [Ely’s] side. His perspective, feelings, and thoughts were valid. It wasn’t until I heard everyone else’s perspective that made me realize that multiple truths can co-exist,” she said. “Even though they had the same experiences, they can look at it from a different perspective, and it can still be correct. Had they just talked about it and it’s something that we can learn from.”
One of the most gripping parts of the docu-film was Buendia, Marasigan, Zabala, and Adoro opening up about the aftermath of the band’s split. The moment the band knew it was time to part ways, it took years of soul searching for them to realize what they truly wanted for themselves and who they truly were apart from the band.
For Buendia, it is rediscovering his true self away from the rockstar persona. “When you’re young, you’re the man, and you think you’re a rockstar, you don’t care about anything. It’s just me, me, me,” he recalled. Listening to his bandmates’ side of the story reminded him that they went through the “rockstar” stage, which played a role in their breakdown.
“For years, kaming apat, gan’un talaga ang attitude (the four of us had that attitude). It didn’t work. It made things worse as our careers went on, and there was that backlash, which we couldn’t cope with. It’s a small thing to hear the other person out, and it goes a long way in the healing process,” he said.
As the members unloaded their sides of the story, Ventura said seeing them express their emotions marked a shift in the band whenever they meet. “Something was changing. It’s as if they were expressing to each other.”
“It helped them sort of heal. It was cathartic for me, so I can’t imagine how cathartic it was for them,” she added. “They’re such fascinating characters. There’s always something they’re doing that I’m learning from. It’s the process of learning that is never-ending.”
Eraserheads is set to hold their “Electric Fun Music Festival” on May 31 at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque.