March 30 ------ Three years after the Eraserheads reunited at the “Huling El Bimbo” show, the members had the chance to reclaim their narratives through their respective points of view in “Eraserheads: Combo on the Run.” The documentary film revisits the past, present, and future of Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro, recalling how they were formed at UP Diliman, rising to fame, the breakdown of their working relationship, solo paths, and how they took it upon themselves to heal.
According to writer-director Diane Ventura, creating “Combo on the Run” was not a “10-year thought process.” The docufilm was a spontaneous decision made during the band’s rehearsal for their 2022 show. It was supposed to be a two-part series, but compiling the members’ answers prompted her to turn it into a two-hour film. “The guys were ready to reclaim their narrative and own what was theirs. I needed to honor that. That’s where the objectivity came from,” Ventura said during a talkback session during an advanced screening. “We all have our preconceived notions and biases. I think, if anything, it is the importance of expression and communication. But of course, you have to be in a position of wanting to understand the other person,” she continued, touching on how the docufilm portrayed the band healing on their own terms.
Touching on the subject of healing, Buendia said learning how to “listen and have a conversation” is an example. “No matter how difficult it is,” he pointed out. The musician then recalled a time when he and a band member opened up about a “very, very huge issue,” which allowed them to be more open with each other. “There was a danger of things happening again, like almost breaking out of the band again. But it’s a good thing that we had a good experience with this documentary,” he said. “We were more open. It was the first time the four of us sat together in a room just to discuss things and iron out our differences. That was the lesson [I learned].”
Witnessing Buendia, Marasigan, Zabala, and Adoro’s opening up about the band’s history reminded Ventura that healing doesn’t automatically turn a painful past around. “It is not a destination or finality. It’s a work in progress. It is a process,” she said, noting how she made sure to create a safe environment for the members to heal at their own pace and be honest. “It doesn’t mean they got back together, it’s going to be perfect. As with any relationship, conflict will ensue, but it’s how you’ll handle conflict and fix the differences,” she said. “They have the tools to communicate and articulate whatever their feelings are, they’re able to resolve conflict. I think that’s something we can all resonate with.”
Source: inquirer.net
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