‘Cultural icon for the ages’: UP bestows highest alumni award on Eraserheads

MANILA, Philippines — It was a nostalgic moment for the members of the legendary rock band Eraserheads when they were conferred the Gawad Oblation Medal for their remarkable contributions to their alma mater, the University of the Philippines (UP), and the country’s music scene.

UP President Angelo Jimenez and assistant vice-president for public affairs Prof. Jeanette L. Yasol-Naval presented the award to Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro in a ceremony recently held at the UP Executive House.

Launched in 2017, the award is the highest distinction that UP bestows to its alumni for their significant contributions to the university. The Gawad Oblation Medal “is a symbol of UP’s deep gratitude for the extraordinary service rendered with or in the name of UP.”

“It is no exaggeration to say that the Eraserheads are a pivotal force in the history of Original Pilipino Music. Decades after they burst into the local music scene, they remain a household name, a cultural icon for the ages. The Eraserheads helped define the music, memories and identity of a generation, no less,” Jimenez said in his speech.

“The band revolutionized OPM by introducing a new sound, blending alternative rock with traditional Filipino elements including Western rock styles, but with distinctly Pinoy sensibilities,” he continued.

A nostalgic moment for Eraserheads as they are honored with the Gawad Oblation Medal, celebrating their deep connection with UP.

He also cited the group’s tracks, such as With A Smile and Ang Huling El Bimbo, which are “still a staple at every karaoke,” and “humanized a generation during a very, very decisive period in the history of our country by asserting what individuality from Ligaya, Spoliarium to Para Sa Masa.”

“Their songs kind of gained cultural universality that only a select few pop songs ever achieved,” Jimenez further said.

The recognition became a full-circle moment for the rock icons whose “roots are deeply intertwined” with the university. They were students at UP when they formed the band in 1989 and signed a recording deal with BMG Records in 1992.

“Who knew back then that this relatively unknown band named after a David Lynch film (‘Eraserhead’) who gained a cult following in UP after incredible performances at the UP Fair, who played in smoke-filled venues such as Club Dredd and would become the legends they are,” continued Jimenez.

He thanked Buendia, Marasigan, Zabala, and Adoro “for living out and articulating the values of UP through your music, your creatives, your struggles — personal and as a group and your achievements.”

“For three decades, you have continued to inspire a strong sense of shared Filipino culture, social consciousness, national identity, and national pride among Filipinos here and abroad.

“Thank you for giving voice to the thoughts, struggles and hopes of a generation. Your songs served as our anthems, transcending time and space, becoming the soundtracks of no less than our lives.”

The OPM rock stars couldn’t help but reminisce about the times they spent at the campus.

Reading his Tagalog speech from his phone, Adoro noted that they learned at UP what true freedom means, including freedom to choose, freedom to speak out and freedom to follow and hear their own music.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa UP Library na nagpapatatag ng aming pundasyong intelektwal, sa UP Sunken Garden para sa gabing walang kasing-saya, sa madidilim ng sulok ng Beta Way at Lagoon para sa mga gabing punong-puno ng lambing.”

(“We are thankful to the UP Library for strengthening our intellectual foundation, to the UP Sunken Garden for unforgettable nights of joy, and to the dark corners of Beta Way and Lagoon for nights filled with affection.”)

He also expressed gratitude to their former professors, friends in the dormitory, parents and family. “At isang dumadagundong na shout-out sa malaking mama sa itaas.”

He vowed to continue upholding the Filipino spirit through music, “Mabuhay ang Noypi!”

Marasigan, as well, was grateful to UP and paid tribute to his parents, wife and children who are now also UP students. “For our parents na ‘di man namin nabigyan ng diploma, patuloy pa ring sumuporta. Para sa aming mga anak na sa UP din tumapak, napadpad at lumipad. Para sa aming mga kabiyak at ang kanilang napakahabang pasensya at pang-unawa.”

(“For our parents who kept supporting us even though we didn’t give them a diploma. For our children who went to UP, found their way, and achieved their dreams. For our partners and their great patience and understanding.”)

He likewise mentioned their former mentors, especially Dr. Robin Rivera, for believing in them when they were just starting out. “Thank you to Ely, Marcus and Buddy para sa mga himig at rakenrol. I’m nervous… Para sa mga nauna, sumabay at nagpapatuloy, wala humpay na pasasalamat at padayon.”

“English naman (speech),” Zabala quipped before saying thank you to Jimenez, UP, and the people who became part of their music journey.

“Robin Rivera, our Humanities professor and long-time studio producer, impressed four adventurous college students, no, delinquents… He helped the Eraserheads forge the music that we know and love today. Thank you, Robin.”

He extended his thanks to BMG Philippines for “taking a risk on us when our music was not uso. Thank you, Club Dredd in Timog, for giving our music a stage, props to Maskipops, UP fair and all the fun UP orgs and all those fun nights.”

He continued citing the friends that they made along the way and their families for standing by them no matter what.

“And finally, thank you, UP Diliman for being our home away from home,” declared Zabala, who was 16 when he left his hometown in Zamboanga to study in Metro Manila.

“My world expanded, no, (it) exploded. UP has given us many unforgettable experiences, academic and otherwise, countless of which have made their way to our songs, our experiences in the university inform our storytelling.

“Thank you UP for letting the four of us grow and thrive. We are here because of our shared stories. May UP continue to inspire its new students find their own stories and nurture their creative selves as it did with us. Mabuhay ang UP, this place we call home.”

Buendia was the last to speak. “To say that my first UP experience was a rude awakening is an understatement,” he began.

In 1987, Buendia was just reeling from high school that he didn’t go during the first semester enrollment week. “I had no idea what a block was. So I foolishly enrolled a week after. From seven in the morning until seven in the evening, I try to get as many units as possible — lining up, knocking on faculty doors.

“At the end of the day, I managed to enlist in only three subjects — History 10, Math 3, and Spanish 2 and 3. I was off to a great start,” he quipped. “To make matters worse, my Spanish professor was a terror and only spoke Spanish in class as did my classmates. At the end of the semester, I barely managed to pass History and Math.

“But I was definitely going to get a (singko as grade) in Spanish. I begged my professor for a passing grade. And he asked me, ‘Do you have anything that will make me consider passing you? Anything at all? I said, well, I can write a song. And so I gave him a demo cassette of Pare Ko and prayed,” recalled Buendia.

Pare Ko was inspired by his friend Raphael Umali who was heartbroken at that time. He was also among the attendees at the event.

Buendia added, “But the day after, my professor in Spanish told me that I passed. This taught me that for one, my professor can understand Tagalog. And two, that from point on, music can get me through anything in life.”

A year later, at the Kalayaan dorm, Buendia found Marasigan, Zabala, and Adoro who “had my struggles and shared my dream.” And the rest is history.

Buendia further expressed how honored and humbled they were to receive the medal from their beloved alma mater, which in his words, “shaped not only our minds but also our souls, it is a profound privilege.”

“UP was where our ideas were born, our dreams were nurtured and our music found its voice. The university was not just our school, but it was our playground, our stage, our motel, just kidding. And our testing ground.

“It was here that we discovered the power of creativity and the freedom of expression that will later define who we are as artists. But above all, UP taught us something more valuable — how to question, how to challenge, how to stand up, and how to speak out. The spirit of social engagement, the pursuit of truth, and the commitment to social responsibility, our values we have carried with us throughout our journey.”

He dedicated the award to every UP student, artist, musician, his family, Rivera, among others.

“To the University of the Philippines, thank you for giving us the foundation to create, explore and to challenge the status quo. Thank you for instilling in us the courage to pursue our passion and the responsibility to use our platform for good,” he concluded.

Rivera, as well as the chairman and chief executive officer of WEU Event Management Services Francis Lumen delivered their respective testimonials for Eraserheads while UP Symphony Orchestra String Quartet performed some of the band’s hits, arranged by Jose Carlo Tuazon of Manila String Machine. Jane Vinculado served as the host of the program.