The University of the Philippines honored the Eraserheads with the UP Gawad Oblation on August 20, for their “enduring excellence as a band, reflecting the university’s commitment to promoting national pride and cultural excellence.” 

Vocalist Ely Buendia, bassist Buddy Zabala, drummer Raimund Marasigan, and guitarist Marcus Adoro each received a medal, given by the UP President to alumni and friends for extraordinary service with or in the name of UP.

“Utak at puso, husay at dangal. To Ely, Marcus, Raimund and Buddy, goes our deepest gratitude. Thank you for living out and articulating the values of UP through your music, your creativity, your struggles, and your achievements… No doubt, many of our Iskolar ng Bayan are proud to claim this connection: ‘Sa UP din nag-aral ang Eraserheads,” said UP President Angelo Jimenez.

The band members expressed their gratitude to UP for recognizing their accomplishments. Marasigan also thanked Dr. Robin Rivera, the UP Art Studies professor who produced all their albums. Zabala added, “Thank you, UP, for letting the four of us grow and thrive. We are here because of our shared stories. May UP continue to inspire its students to find their own stories and nurture their creative selves like [it] did with us.”

“UP was where our ideas were born, our dreams were nurtured, and our music found its voice,” said Buendia, who was the last of the band members to speak. “It was here that we discovered the power of creativity and the freedom of expression that would later define who we were as artists… UP taught us how to question, to challenge, to stand up, and to speak up.”

Text by Percy Dahe, UP MPRO

Photos by Kevin Roque, UP MPRO