E-Heads-up! Heavy congestion tonight in Parañaque due to Dec. 22 Eraserheads concert

“Huminga ka nang malalim at tayo’y lalarga na” [Take a deep breath because we’re going now].

This line from “Alapaap,” a popular song of legendary Filipino alternative rock band Eraserheads, will ring true for motorists in Paranaque City tonight.

The city’s local government announced in a Dec. 21, 2022, Facebook post that heavy traffic congestion is expected on Dec. 22, 2022 at 8:30 p.m. near the SMDC Festival Grounds on Aseana Avenue because of the Eraserheads’ much-awaited reunion concert. Nearby areas that might be affected include SM MOA, Macapagal Avenue, and Solaire Resort and Casino.

“In light of this event, we are encouraging motorists to take alternative routes due to the expected high volume of traffic,” the Paranaque City government said. “Traffic personnel will also be deployed to assist motorists.”

The Eraserheads was formed in 1989 with the merging of two college bands at the University of the Philippines Diliman. The group is comprised of:

• Ely Buendia – lead vocalist, guitarist

• Buddy Zabala – bassist, backing vocals

• Marcus Adoro – lead guitarist, backing vocals

• Raimund Marasigan – drummer, backing vocals

The group achieved commercial success in the 1990s with songs like “Pare Ko,” “Ligaya,” “Magasin” and “Huwag Mo Nang Itanong.” It also won an International Viewer’s Choice Award at the 1997 MTV Music Video Awards for “Ang Huling El Bimbo.”

The Eraserheads officially disbanded in 2002, only performing occasionally over the last two decades. It also held two reunion concerts in 2008 and 2009. 

Event issues

The band’s latest reunion concert, called “Ang Huling El Bimbo 2022,” comes after the fiasco that occurred in the Dec. 18, 2022 concert of Filipino folk-pop group Ben&Ben at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Paranaque City.

An estimated 65,000 people attended the show, with many demanding refunds because of allegations of lax security, poor crowd control, and long queues.

Ben&Ben issued an apology in a Dec. 20, 2022 Facebook post.

“We’d like to sincerely apologize to those of you who had a deeply stressful experience with the queuing, the entry into the venue, and the general gaps in the organization of the event,” the group said.

“We will be more vigilant with everyone involved in the planning and preparations of our concerts to ensure that what happened won’t happen again,” Ben&Ben added.

Meanwhile, Marasigan said in a Dec. 20, 2022 tweet that the Eraserheads are coordinating with the organizers to prevent a repeat in their reunion concert.

“We were made aware of the problems,” the drummer said. “The concert promoters, the venue, and city officials are meeting and finding solutions.”

What’s your favorite Eraserheads song?