A Day In The Life Of RJ

One would think I write this post for the sole purpose of SEO (search engine optimization), specially that their much-awaited reunion concert last night, August 30 was cut short when frontman Ely had an emotional breakdown and was rushed to the hospital after performing only 15 out of the planned 30 songs. But no, I did not write this for SEO. People who don’t know me and even the ones close to me have no idea how such an E-heads fan I am. And I couldn’t really blame them. The Eraserheads came at a “serious” time in my life — high school. Okay, that’s self-imposed “seriousness” for sure. And people who knew me then wouldn’t think I digged the music of The Eraserheads (and that is if they even thought I listened to music at all). The normally-most-enjoyable-time in a person’s life was ironically the most serious period of my life.

While everyone seemed to sing their way to school, I was all busy being so uptight and nerdy. No fun at all, I tell you. But deep inside me, my soul sang and knew all those E-heads songs by heart, although I may not have exactly sang my heart out inside the classroom while the teacher was out — because I’m all busy reprimanding all those doing exactly that, God knows how I wished I had that privilege — of getting lost in an E-heads song. The responsibility I had way back then was just too tough to allow for a let-up, even for just a second. I mean, come on, what kind of a class president would I be if our teachers saw me leading those mini-concerts, right? But looking back now, I sometimes wish I never had that responsibility to mind. Maybe I would have enjoyed high school a bit. But hey, this is supposed to be an Eraserheads tribute.

The Eraserheads, my friends, is more than just another band. Their songs have been the soundtrack of our lives — my generation’s. Their voices are the voices of my generation. Ely’s voice, albeit not the best, is music to everyone’s ears — including mine.

It’s not so much the voice. It’s not so much the melody. And sometimes, it’s not so much the words either. It was more about the spirit, the enthusiasm and the vitality that came with being young, free-spirited and self-expressive. The Eraserheads sang to and sang about a generation unique to the rest of those that “were” and “will be”. And no, I’m not trying to draw profundity from a purely trivial musical era (if you will even allow it to be called that). There is nothing amazingly profound in their songs, really. It was down-to-earth real and simple. And that’s probably what endeared them to youngsters of my time and even older people. There is no hidden meaning to decipher (although the issue of “backmasting” was prevalent then). It was music and that was it. I speak for myself when I say that they are the greatest band of my generation, at least in the local scene, but somehow, I feel that I am not alone in this sentiment. The Eraserheads occupy a special spot in my heart that belongs to them and to the people of my high school — tough, edgy, cool and refreshing — an almost improbable mix, I would say, but made up of truly endearing memories that one would love to relive over and over again.

They have made numerous albums and scores of songs — many of which were big hits. And many of which, I love. But for this post’s tribute, I give you the song that would probably be a good “finale” song for the concert. This song not only speak of their influence in terms of music but also of their sense of idealism and their hopes for their fans and I guess, the Filipinos as a whole. The Eraserheads has done for many Filipinos what music does to people in general — to transcend economic status, political affiliations, religious persuasions, and personal preferences. And for that, they are truly “Para sa Masa”.

Oh, yes. I am an Eraserheads fan. And I’ll go through high school all over again if only to see them sing and make music together one last time.

Para Sa Masa — The Eraserheads

Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng nawalan ng pag-asa
Sa lahat ng ng aming nakasama
Sa lahat ng hirap at pagdurusa

Naaalala nito pa ba
Binigyan namin kayo ng ligaya

Ilang taon na ring lumipas
Mga kulay ng mundo ay kumupas
Marami na rin ang mga pagbabago
Di maiiwasan pagkat tayo ay tao lamang

Mapapatawad mo ba ako
Kung hindi ko sinunod ang gusto mo

La la la la la la la la…Pinilit kong iahon ka
Ngunit ayaw mo namang sumama

Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng binaon ng sistema
Sa lahat ng aming nakabarkada
Sa lahat ng mahilig sa labsong at drama

Sa lahat ng di marunong bumasa
Sa lahat ng may problema sa skwela
Sa lahat ng fans ni sharon cuneta
Sa lahat ng may problema sa pera
Sa lahat ng masaHuwag mong hayaang ganito
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