MANILA, Philippines—Procedural glitches and the threat of a lawsuit have forced the promoter of the Eraserheads’ one-night reunion concert to pull out. But the show is reportedly pushing through — now with ticket-selling — on Aug. 30 at the Fort Bonifacio Open Field in Taguig.

“They couldn’t get a permit; that’s what we were told,” said a source close to Eraserheads lead guitarist Marcus Adoro, referring to representatives of Philip Morris, manufacturer of cigarette brand Marlboro, which was supposed to mount the gig.

Controversy

The source added that the band was rehearsing on Sunday night when its members were informed of Philip Morris’ decision. Executives of Sony BMG, the band’s former record label, reportedly went to the studio to ask how they could help save the situation.

From the onset, news of the concert drew criticism and controversy. Though announced on the Internet as a free event, the show was not entirely open to the public because one had to go through a complicated online registration process that minors and non-smokers were discouraged to take part in.

Worse, the Department of Health stepped into the picture, with Undersecretary Alexander Padilla warning Philip Morris of criminal charges should it proceed with the concert — which will violate Republic Act No. 9211 (or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 which prohibits cigar companies from sponsoring sports, cultural and artistic events of individual or team athletes, artists and performers).

“We were not against the show,” Padilla told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Tuesday. “In fact we wanted it to push through, but not with a tobacco brand sponsoring or promoting it.”

Data from the DOH claim at least 10 Filipinos die every hour, 240 everyday or 87,600 every year due to smoking-related diseases.

American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys reportedly rejected Philip Morris’ sponsorship of her recent concert in Indonesia.

Not clear

For the Eraserheads gig, Philip Morris may have backed off, but it’s said to be “honoring its contract” relative to the band’s talent fees. Adoro’s camp confirmed that the guitarist has received partial payment of the rumored P2.5 million for each band member, with the balance to be settled on concert day.

It is not clear why Philip Morris would part with millions for a promotional event that it has now disassociated itself from — assuming that no product sampling or merchandise would be seen at the concert venue.

At press time, representatives of the tobacco company were reportedly in a meeting with executives of Sony BMG, who are apparently in a quandary as to how a major production that is two days away could be best handled.

Sony BMG’s participation is not without incentives; the prospect of a hot-selling concert CD and DVD loom in the horizon.