Rocker Ely Buendia, through longtime partner and manager Diane Ventura, told Startalk last Saturday, December 27, that he is doing well, as observed by his doctors.
Ely's health has always been a public concern, despite previous announcements assuring everyone that the former Eraserheads and now Pupil frontman is healthy after another angioplasty last August.
Undoubtedly one of the newsmakers of 2008, the iconic singer-songwriter—along with former Eraserheads comrades Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro—made headlines in August when the influential quartet staged a one-night reunion concert at the Global City in Taguig, in response to the six-year clamor of their devoted fans.
The jampacked concert was cut short after Ely collapsed backstage because of chest pains. The band was able to complete the first set, which consisted of fifteen songs before the unfortunate incident.
Barely four months after the concert, Diane gave Startalk's Butch Francisco an update on Ely's present condition.
"He's doing okay," she relayed, "the doctors told him that he's fully recovered. Nothing to worry about. Wala na talaga, wala na."
PROJECT WITH FRANCIS M. After the Eraserheads reunion concert, the enigmatic frontman became active again, even while completing his cardiac rehabilitation.
Ely has been spotted gracing numerous events like the opening ceremony of Dekada Cinemanila International Film Festival held on October 16 at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. He also showed up at the premiere night of the Eraserheads reunion concert turned movie last November 25 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. Adding another feather to his cap was the exhibition of his 13-minute short film titled Waiting Shed. He has also resumed his frontman duties for Pupil.
One of Ely's most anticipated creative endeavors is the upcoming release of his collaboration project with rapper and good friend Francis "Kiko" Magalona. Kiko is currently battling leukemia.
Diane took the opportunity to promote the project. She announced, "Watch out for the album of Francis M and Ely Buendia. They recorded their first song already. They always have contacts with each other naman, everyday tumatawag si Francis."
Butch asked how she and Ely celebrated Christmas. "Okay naman," replied Diane, "Get-together, family, everyone, like I visited his family, he visited my family, so parang get-together."