MANILA — Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia shared his realizations after watching "Combo on the Run," the highly anticipated documentary about their band.

Speaking to the media after the film’s preview, Buendia revealed how the documentary deepened his understanding of both filmmaking and human nature.

“Parang after seeing the cut, I saw sort of a deeper respect for, first of all, filmmaking and of directors. Also, [I] had a deeper understanding of human nature more than ever before, and how education and expressing oneself is very important,” he said.

The documentary, directed by Diane Ventura, featured never-before-seen interviews with Buendia and his bandmates—Buddy Zabala, Raimund Marasigan, and Marcus Adoro—offering an unfiltered look into the highs and lows of their journey.

Buendia reflected on the tensions that had shaped their story, acknowledging that open communication could have changed the course of their relationships.

“Of course, there’s that feeling na I think I actually said it in the movie, na parang a lot of pain and heartache could have been avoided if we could have just talked about it. But then it’s also there are some things you really have to go through painfully in order to have that realization,” he added, hinting at personal struggles and unspoken emotions within the band.

For Ventura, "Combo on the Run" was both a passion project and a challenging undertaking.

Known for her narrative feature films, the director said making the documentary was a painstaking process.

“I think even just finishing the film, parang that gave me an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. Like you’ve mentioned, I’ve just been doing narrative features in the past. This is my first foray into documentary filmmaking, and I’m coming away from it with tremendous respect for documentary filmmakers,” she shared.

However, she made it clear that "Combo on the Run" would be her last documentary. “I think I can definitively say that I’m going back to narrative features,” she said.

When asked what she hopes audiences will take away from the film, Ventura emphasized the importance of seeing the band members beyond their public personas.

“[It’s] to reintroduce the band to the new generation or to the people that already knew them—to see them in a different light, to understand them better as people and as humans, and not just as artists,” she said.

She also highlighted the documentary’s message on vulnerability, saying: “We’re living at a time where vulnerability is punished. But this one shows the big men from the industry allowing themselves this fragility, sensitivity, and vulnerability. I think it’s very inspiring, and I hope people will be inspired to also do the same because it really is important.”

"Combo on the Run" goes beyond nostalgia, offering an intimate glimpse into the Eraserheads’ "Huling El Bimbo" reunion concert, set against the backdrop of political division and post-pandemic uncertainty.

Through rare archival footage and candid conversations, the documentary provides a raw and honest portrayal of the band’s evolution, struggles, and enduring legacy.

Adding to the excitement, Eraserheads is set to make a surprise live appearance and performance at an undisclosed cinema during the documentary’s theatrical run from March 21 to 23, 2025.