Has Ely B. totally erased E-Heads from his memory?

Mention Eraserheads to Ely Buendia and the guy’s face momentarily goes blank, as if he has never heard of "that group" at all.

It’s a put-on, I guess, because halfway through the brief interview, Ely does mention the "E-Heads" without batting an eyelash, but neither with any hint of fondness.

If you recall, Ely had a falling-out with the E-Heads (behind hits that includes El Bimbo) in 2000, prompting him to quit BMG Pilipinas, Inc., the company the E-Heads were under contract with.

But, according to Rudy Tee, big boss of BMG which has merged with Sony Music (the merger is now known as Sony BMG Music Entertainment), "The wounds have healed and (Sony) BMG has accepted Ely back like the prodigal son."

Before the "homecoming," though, Ely sort of wandered around, in 2004 breaking a brief lull in his career by forming a new group called Mongol (the pencil, you know, which is "cousin" to the "eraser") which disbanded after barely a year.

The music has to play on, so Ely is back with yet another new band called Pupil (not the little campus creature which uses a Mongol to write notes and an "eraser" to obliterate mistakes, but the part of an eye) composed of none (of course!) from E-Heads but two from Mongol, bassist Yan Yuzon and drummer Boks Jugo, and a new member, bassist Dok Sergio.

"I think this one will last," said Pupil manager Diane Ventura, Ely’s beloved partner in life (and in business), forgetting to add if she meant longer than the lifespan of E-Heads or Mongol.

Pupil (Ely came upon the name in a medical book) has just released its first album called Beautiful Machines, featuring eight English songs and six Tagalog songs, including Lost Guide ("a noisy ballad written by Yan), Dulo ng Dila by Dok, Hypersober by Bogs and eight songs Ely co-wrote with Diane (Different Worlds, Blow Your House Down, She Talks To Trees, Gamu-Gamo, All This Time, Dianetic, Kalawakan and Nasaan Ka, the carrier single).

"While Mongol was guitar-driven," said Diane, "Pupil is more pop."

Asked to elaborate further on what sets the Pupil sound from those of E-Heads and Mongol, Ely said, "That of E-Heads was more retro; I was then into the ’70s sounds – The Manila Sound. E-Heads was a chopsuey band, very folksy, and it created a sound to which people could easily relate. I guess that’s what made the band popular. I am now geared more towards modern sounds, more rock."

It’s not only Ely’s sound that has changed (for the better, hopefully) but his attitude as well. While before he seemed to be aloof ("It was just defense mechanism"), he’s now more engaging. Credit it, he joked, to "old age and family." He and Diane have a five-year-old son.

Did success really go into his (E)head and spoil him?

"In a way, yes, I must admit," said Ely. "Success tends to make you feel complacent because lahat ibinibigay sa’yo so nawawala ang challenge. What do you do when that happens?"

Out of and away from E-Heads, Ely Buendia seems to have his head in the proper place – at last?

What Rio has left behind

As I type this column, I’m listening to the songs from the inspirational album The Joys of Healing given to me by Aurora Diaz, sister of my dear late friend Rio Diaz.

Aurora wrote in a note, "This CD was Rio’s surprise for us. She recorded it without our knowledge and we only found out about it during her funeral (in October last year)."

The Joys of Healing is made up of "music that soothes the soul and lifts the spirit." The selections include The Joys of Healing and Walang Kasing-Saya by The CompanY, What Will I Do My Lord by Erik Santos, My God and Me by Ima Castro, Only God by Kim Flores, The Best Day of My Life by Andre Castillo, Hope by Gretchen Barretto, Most Of All by Ai-Ai delas Alas, All My Love by Boy Abunda, I Said a Prayer For You by Ayen Munji-Laurel, Similar Journey by Raymond Bagatsing and Thank You For the Good Life by Calvin Millado.

What’s Rio’s participation on the album? No, she didn’t sing. Instead, she narrated inspirational passages in-between the songs. Strangely enough, Rio’s lovely voice and solemn narrations inspire a feeling of peace and not at all sadness. Produced by Armi Araujo, who is a cancer survivor, the album is now selling in the Christian Section of music stores. Go get a copy – pronto!

Proceeds from the album sales will go directly to the cancer cause.

In life, Rio inspired thousands of cancer-stricken people like her with her unwavering faith in God. In death, I’m sure she’ll inspire even more people, sick or healthy, with her soothing voice that recalls this quotation from 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Wherever you are, Rio, we’re listening.

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