Eleandre Basiño Buendia, popularly known as Ely Buendia, and also once adopting the stage name, Jesus “Dizzy” Ventura, (born November 2, 1970) is a Filipino writer and musician who gained fame as guitarist, songwriter, and lead vocalist in the popular Pinoy rock band, The Eraserheads. His gift in songwriting, in which he contributed heavily to the band, has earned him a reputation as one of the most respected icons in the country. He currently performs as guitarist and lead vocalist for the band, Pupil.
In December 1989, Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro and Buddy Zabala formed the Eraserheads in their collegiate school, the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where Buendia was a Film major at the College of Mass Communications (he started his first year of college in 1987). The band found that they weren’t good at covering other people’s hits, so they concentrated on writing their own materials instead. “After all, if we committed a mistake no one would recognize it since they don’t know the song, right?,” Buendia explained[citation needed]. Performing their original songs live soon earned them a cult following in the University, which gradually spread outside the campus. One of the songs, a pop song entitled, Pare Ko, which Buendia wrote, became very popular, partly because of the lyrics which included a few swear words.
The Eraserheads eventually signed a three-year deal with BMG Pilipinas. Their debut album, “UltraElectroMagneticPop!” featured no less than Pare Ko and a host of other novelty pieces that had people listening and discovering more about the quartet. The album also brought the underground college rock1993 saw the emergence of “Eraserheadsmania” because of successive hit singles, sold-out concerts and thousands of fans. scene into public awareness.
Ely Buendia continued to write songs for the band, many of which became hit singles and classics. The Eraserheads’ lasted for ten years before finally breaking up with Buendia and Adoro’s departure. During those 10 years, the band produced eight studio albums along with other EPsU.S. and other countries. One album, “Aloha Milkyway, was released in the Asian region. The Eraserheads were also the first ever Filipino artists to receive the “Moon Man” trophy for winning the 1997 MTV Asia Viewer’s Choice Award for the video of their song, “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” This hit was also written by Buendia, like many others that the band produced. and singles. Their gigs took them out of the country, with tours in the
The Eraserheads had one of the most influential runs in OPM history.[citation needed]. Their prolific contributions to the OPM repertoire backed by remarkable sales led their record company, Sony-BMG to dub them “The Beatles of the Philippines”[citation needed]. Buendia had correspondingly been dubbed the John Lennon of OPM[citation needed]. Ely remarked, however, that he does not relish being a “John Lennon of OPM” as he craves for his own identity and to be known as “Ely Buendia of OPM.”
The Eraserheads went onstage for their reunion concert on August 30, 2008 at the Fort Open Field, Taguig City, which was cut short unexpectedly. The continuation of the concert was held at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on March 7, 2009.
PERSONAL LIFE
Ely Buendia was married to Pupil’s manager, Maria Diane Ventura. They have recently separated. They, however, maintain a good friendship and Diane still manages the band.[citation needed] He has two children, Una Aurea, (with his first wife, Vicky Cayago), and Eon Drake (with Diane). Buendia was once romantically connected with She Asignacion-Elgar, who is now married to Mike Elgar of Rivermaya. In several interviews, such as in the local music magazine, Pinoy, he has expressed a fondness for Stephen King books and history. According to a local television show, Pipol, he wanted to be an architect in his youth. He also loves movies, comics and especially videogames; from classic Nintendo systems up to next-gen consoles as he declared on recent interviews.
Vicky Cayago was his longtime college girlfriend and is the girl in their song “Toyang.”
Marie Diane Ventura was his second wife and his maneger in his band Pupil.
Andii is his new girlfriend and inspiration.
