Maybe because today is the 12th of June, the day Philippines declared independence from the Spanish rule … as we Filipinos were led to believe … I found myself listening to Eraserheads – possibly one of the greatest Pinoy bands of all time.

I survived college with the help of Ely, Marcus, Raymund and Buddy … along with other of their counterparts, Yano and Color It Red. In fact, I did have a huge crush on Ely Buendia during those days! Took first notice of the group with Toyang, and then one of the ultimate “basted” songs, Pare Ko. I remember how the first cut with the t****na was re-dubbed to langyiha because a lot of people took offense with it. When I was finally earning good money, I started to collect their albums in cassette tape! Yes, I have Ultraelectromagneticpop down to Sticker Happy. The only CD that I have is Ultraelectromagneticpop and The Singles, which was part of the Himig Ng Dekada 90 series.

So today, Ely’s voice came booming down my hifi and brought me back to those time when I used to stay up to 3am in front of the Baguio Cathedral trying very hard to lend a shoulder to a friend who just got rejected by his soulmate (or at least at that time, he thought she was!)

I was saddened again to read how Ely decided to leave the group. It’s like the group Queen, it is never the same without Freddie Mercury. Although, I never got to hear the Eraserheads again with their new vocalist, Kris Gorra. I am, actually, in a way, glad not to have to because it keeps the memories pure in my mind as well as in my heart. And the song below sums up all the nostalgia that had filled me this Sunday afternoon. Apologies to my non-Tagalog-speaking readers as I share these sentiments in my mother tongue.

Mga pards, tagay na! Miss ko na kayong lahat!

Minsan
by Eraserheads

Minsan sa may Kalayaan
Tayo’y nagkatagpuan
May mga sariling gimik at kaya-kanyang hangad sa buhay
Sa ilalim ng iisang bubong
Mga sekretong ibinubulong
Kahit na anong mangyari
Kahit na saan ka man patungo
Ngunit ngayon kay bilis maglaho ng kahapon
Sana’y huwag kalimutan ang ating mga pinagsamahan
At kung sakaling gipitin ay laging iisipin
Na minsan tayo ay naging tunay na magkaibigan
Minsan ay parang wala nang bukas sa buhay natin
Inuman sa magdamag na para bang tayo’y mauubusan
Sa ilalim ng bilog na buwan
Mga tiyan nati’y walang laman
Ngunit kahit na walang pera
Ang bawat gabi’y anong saya
Ngunit ngayon kay bilis maglaho ng kahapon
Sana’y huwag kalimutan ang ating mga pinagsamahan
At kung sakaling gipitin ay laging iisipin
Na minsan tayo ay naging tunay na magkaibigan
Minsan ay hindi ko na alam ang nangyayari
Kahit na anong gawin
Lahat ng bagay ay merong hangganan
Dahil ngayon tayo ay nilimot ng kahapon
Di na mapipilitang buhayin ang ating pinagsamahan
Ngunit kung sakaling mapadaan baka ikaw ay aking tawagan
Dahil minsan tayo ay naging tunay na magkaibigan

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