If someone had told Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala, and Raymund Marasigan — collectively known as the Eraserheads — in 1993 that their alma mater, the University of the Philippines, would honor them decades later, they would have laughed and dismissed the idea as absurd.
Read: The Eraserheads saga: The making and unmaking of a rock n’ roll dream
On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the quartet, whose debut album Ultraelectromagneticpop! in 1993 sparked a resurgence of local rock music, was back where it all started.
Ely, Marcus, Buddy, and Raymund were awarded the Gawad Oblation award in a ceremony hosted at the UP Executive House in Diliman, Quezon City.
It was a triumphant return for the four "delinquents," whose band is hailed as the most influential in Philippine music history.
Years after their disbandment in 2002, the band's impact on Filipino culture and the arts remains strong and is expected to linger for generations to come.
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Among the many hit songs the band churned out during their reign were "Ligaya," "Pare Ko," "Alapaap," "With A Smile," "Magasin," "Kailan," and "Ang Huling El Bimbo," to name a few.
Even the Eraserheads' non-singles have become fan favorites and gained recognition over time, contributing to the band's iconic appeal.
FROM SCRUFFY STUDENTS TO MUSIC ICONS
The night kicked off with a speech by UP President Angelo Jimenez.
He emphasized the deep connection between the Eraserheads and the university, noting how the band immortalized campus landmarks in their songs: the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association Food Center (CASAA) in the rocking "Shirley," and the Kalayaan Residence Hall in the nostalgic "Minsan."
In hindsight, the Eraserheads' first three albums, in particular, were filled with songs rich in references to college and campus life, making the group appealing and relatable to young audiences.
It's also worth adding that the band launched its third album and biggest-selling record Cutterpillow at the UP Sunken Garden on December 8, 1995, before a massive crowd.
Also invited to speak at the ceremony was the band's longtime producer and former UP professor Robin Rivera.
Robin reminisced how he helped the band cut a demo at the university's faculty studio from March 25 to 26, 1991.
That demo would be called Pop U, and the band would use it to shop for a record deal.
Only 20 cassette tape copies were made from that recording, but friends of the band and students on campus dubbed copies, which helped spread the band's music throughout the university.
"My motivation for doing so was whatever would happen to them they would have at least a document of their creativity of their youth," mused Robin.
"So while their eventual stardom was unexpected, it was not altogether surprising to me because I know their songs were the real deal."
After the Eraserheads hit the mainstream with Ultraelectromagenticpop! in 1993 — the album was produced by Ed Formoso — under BMG Music Pilipinas, they enlisted Robin to produce their follow-up album Circus and all their subsequent records until their disbandment.
In total, the Eraserheads released seven studio albums: Ultraelectromagneticpop! (1993), Circus (1994), Cutterpillow (1995), Fruitcake (1996), Sticker Happy (1997), Natin99 (1999), Carbon Stereoxide (2001).
The band also released two extended-play records: Fruitcake (1996), a promotional record preceding the release of the full-length album with the same name, and Bananatype (1997).
Robin produced all of those albums except for the Eraserheads' debut, as noted earlier.
"I kept no secrets and shared all my experiences. But I never dictated what to write, sing or play. Their music was theirs, all theirs," said Robin about his role as mentor and producer.
He continued, "The Heads learned quickly and became not only playing artists but also accomplished producers with their own unique styles, approaches.
"By the end of our professional relationship, they not only evolved from students but into my peers, and they passed on their own knowledge and experience to succeeding generations of young musicians."
After Robin's speech, an intermission number followed with the UP Symphony Orchestra String Quartet playing a medley of Eraserheads songs: "Ligaya," "Overdrive," "Alapaap," and "Ang Huling El Bimbo."
Read: Eraserheads turns back the clock at "Huling El Bimbo" reunion concert
"DITO NAG-UMPISA ANG LAHAT"
And then it was time for the men of the hour to receive their medals.
Introduced in 2017, the Gawad Oblation Award honors individuals and organizations whose significant contributions add to UP's prestige.
Guitarist Marcus Adoro said, "Sa apat na gusali ng institusyon UP Diliman namin naranasan ang tunay na kalayaan — kalayaang pumili, kalayaang maghayag, kalayaang sundin at pakinggan ang sariling himig."
Meanwhile, drummer Raymund Marasigan gave thanks to their parents "na 'di man namin nabigyan ng diploma, patuloy pa ring sumuporta."
He gave thanks to their teachers "na nagbukas ng diwa at utak," and acknowledged producer Robin Rivera: "isa sa mga unang naniwala at nagtulak."
Bassist Buddy Zabala referred to UP as "our home away from home" and that "dito nag-umpisa ang lahat."
"I came to the university as a 16-year-old from Zamboanga. My world expanded, no, exploded.
"UP has given us many unforgettable experiences academic and otherwise.
"Countless of which have made their way into our songs. Our experiences in the university informed our storytelling."
Read: Eraserheads reunite with actress in "Ang Huling El Bimbo" music video
Singer, guitarist, and chief songwriter Ely Buendia told a story about his early days as a freshman college student.
He recounted how he once handed a demo tape of what would become one of the band's biggest hits, "Pare Ko," to his Spanish subject teacher in hopes of securing a passing grade.
To his relief, Ely did indeed pass the subject.
"This taught me that, for one, my professor can understand Tagalog. And two, that from that point on, music can get me through anything in life," said Ely.
"A year later in Kalayaan, I found three people who also had my struggles and shared my dream.
"We are deeply honored and humbled to receive the Gawad Oblation award from our beloved alma mater, the University of the Philippines.
"UP was where our ideas were born, our dreams were nurtured, and our music found its voice."