It’s been more than two decades since the iconic pop alternative OPM band The Eraserheads broke up with vocalist Ely Buendia leaving the band in 2002. The group reunited on stage seven years later for a reunion concert and have also come to do tours together in and outside the country. This year, producer and filmmaker Diane Ventura is bringing a one hour and 40 minute film chronicling the history of the band to cinemas for a limited run from March 21 to 23.

During the presscon for Eraserheads: Combo on the Run last February 17, Ely shared why he and his bandmates Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro finally agreed to open up about their band relationship in a documentary. 

“I don’t know. Time has passed and I believe in keeping something for yourself and not spoonfeeding your audience. You can see that in the music. It’s not very literal so I guess the boys and I like mystery and keeping things vague. But there comes a time when I think that works against you, so nagkakaroon ng misconceptions and urban legends and myths, if you know what I mean, regarding the band, which is not necessarily good for the band or the music. And so this time we chose a different path and decided na it’s high time to reclaim our narrative,” he said. 

READ: Maria Diane Ventura's Eraserheads Documentary 'Combo on the Run' Hits Cinemas Nationwide March 21 

The talented singer and songwriter also shared his reaction after watching the film, which is an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the Eraserheads 2022 reunion concert as well as their US tour.

“I don’t want to admit that I cried. There were rumblings of crying because siyempre I only know what I said, we weren’t interviewed together. As a matter of fact, I just realized that that was the first time that I heard these thoughts from the other guys. The way Diane (Ventura) weaved all the elements together really moved me because it’s one thing to present facts and wanting to present opinions but I guess the challenge of a documentary is having a through line is what they call it. And that’s hard.

"I guess it was me appreciating the fact na there was an art to the whole thing and it’s not just talking heads. It took me on a journey and even for someone that was actually in that situation, it was still a surprise for me. So I guess I really loved the movie and honesty of the other guys and the way it unflinchingly offered up the truth. Because that’s one thing I hold dear, whether in my music or my personal life, it’s to be authentic and this is as authentic as the Eraserheads can get,” he shared. 

READ: Ely Buendia reiterates Eraserhead song 'Spoliarium' is not about Pepsi Paloma

Unlike their previous reunions, Ely said things have settled down comfortably with his bandmates unlike their previous friction before eventually going their separate paths.

“This isn’t our first reconciliation (laughs). We have gotten pretty good at it and I see the parang effort of everyone to move forward in a more optimistic and positive light. I’ve learned to be more professional and work with others and from the 2022 reunion, I think I’ve decided that na I will really try to my best to really get along with them and try to be more mature and talk things over and hear both sides of the story before I judge anything,” he revealed. 

READ: 'It's difficult to confront pain': Ely Buendia opens up about Eraserheads' past in documentary

A far cry from their relationship 30 years ago, Ely admitted he and the band opened up in a way they never had before because of the way the documentary was set up while they were on tour.

“Before well I didn’t want to overshare naman stuff that I think should be kept for myself. But most of the time, it wasn’t really hard (this time) because first of all, the situation was comfortable. The interviewer and the rest of the auxiliary interviews were really good because we knew who they were. So we were more open talaga. And I think also because it was pent up for so long, we were just really happy to finally let it out and release everything,” he explained. 

Watch Eraserheads: Combo on the Run during its exclusive cinema run from March 21 to 23, 2025. The film is directed by Diane Ventura and produced by DVent Pictures and WEU. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.