MANILA, Philippines—What started out as a rumor turned out to be true. And to call this whole Eraserheads reunion gig wild is a big, fat understatement. It’s an ultraelectromagnetic circus.

“Eraserheads: The Reunion” had been much-awaited for years. Fans of the band transcend ages, from the dad to the rocker mom, from the kuya to the bunso. The greatest band of the ’90s to amp up the local music scene is out to prove that this isn’t just their reunion, but ours as well.

Cheers to Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro—our ’90s music heroes.

Aug. 4

Confirmed! The one-night-only Eraserheads reunion gig would be held Aug. 30 on Bonifacio Global City’s open grounds (the earlier buzz mentioned the CCP complex). An official statement from the promoter was posted on the Eraserheads mailing list, which quickly made its way through blogs, band e-groups, text messages. The gig was practically selling itself and needed very little to no marketing.

The clincher: It was for free, strictly by-invitation and open only to smokers of legal age. Chief promoter Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. (PMPMI), makers of Marlboro, said: “The Eraserheads performance is not a form of sponsorship, which is not allowed by the law. PMPMI’s participation in the event is not as a sponsor, but as a promoter.”

Aug. 8

Manic registration followed. Fans—smoker or not—signed up on the age-restricted website www. marlboro.ph.

Frantic comments and blog entries followed: “Ilang taon na kaming loyal sa Marlboro Lights ng nanay ko, dapat may ticket ako!”

“All of us at home listed on the site, but still haven’t heard a thing.”

“Bakit walang complimentary pass ang media?”

“May kakilala ba kayong tinawagan ng Marlboro? Bakit parang wala naman.”

“The gig will be a flop, they should have sold tickets.”

“I’m a non-smoker, how will I get in?”

“This might be the only benefit I could get from smoking, but where are the tickets?”

Some were lucky enough to be included on the organizers’ and band’s VIP lists. The rest of us intently prayed to the rock-and-roll gods. Just imagining hearing the classics from the Fab Four again was enough to keep us giddy.

Aug. 23

A heartbreaking news flash spread around the blogosphere: “The Eraserheads reunion gig is officially canceled.”

Frustrated fingers shot up in the air and random curses in all dialects and languages were thrown. It had been dubbed the music event of the year, for crying out loud! Even those who didn’t have invites were terribly surprised and disappointed.

Apparently the Department of Health did its mandate by citing Republic Act 9211, which bans tobacco companies from promoting concerts. DOH won, Philip Morris withdrew, and the rest of us could only scream our heads off.

Aug. 24

A stunning turnaround: The gig is pushing through!

Raimund personally made the announcement on the Sandwich Yahoogroup roughly a week before the big day. Yes, he said, it is going to happen.

“After much ado, the Eraserheads concert is most definitely pushing through. Philip Morris and its brands have pulled out of the concert... Unfortunately it’s no longer free. All the long-winded registration procedures at the [Marlboro] Red Nation site are now void. The good news is, the age limit is now 12 years old (for safety reasons) and tickets will be sold, so you don’t have to wait for confirmation... The official announcement and ticketing details will come out in major newspapers and on radio on Tuesday... By the way, I just got home from the last rehearsal. The band is cooking. We will see you all on the 30th.--Raym ”

Mass hyperventilation, I tell you. The most important question: “Where can we score tickets?”

Aug. 25

Monday morning. We in the Inquirer eagerly waited to intercept the advertisement that would come out Tuesday. We checked the advertising department for any updates, we watched out for radio plugs, we messaged anyone who had the slightest connection with the Eheads. Nothing.

Aug. 26

Still no news by Tuesday afternoon. Panic mode.

Skeptics were saying it was all bull and that no concert was going to happen, just like the Spice Girls’ bungled world tour. Ah, Dementors. Shoo.

Aug. 27

It was a loaded, heavy Wednesday for those who were waiting. Radiohead Productions—a company that specializes in radio production, programming, operations and event marketing, established in 2007 according to MTV—is now the official promoter of the controversial gig.

By afternoon, news had it that tickets would be sold the next day through Ticketworld. I called the number and the lady said ticket prices were P2,030 and P1,060.

“Baka mamayang 5 p.m. o bukas ng 10 a.m. ibebenta,” she said. It was practically a race to the ticket booth.

By 6 p.m., reports said tickets were already available at P1,300 and P800. My friend rushed to Ticketworld Glorietta, but sadly, tickets selling was only until 7 p.m. Another one dashed to Alabang Town Center but it was also too late.

How did that happen? Were people holding vigils in the malls? I sense greedy scalpers. Even Beyoncé, Maroon5 or Incubus didn’t have this much impact.

The Ticketworld website was clogged until past midnight from too many users, so purchasing online was also a hassle.

Aug. 28

I already gave up on getting a media pass or being included in the guest list (how I wish I was a groupie). But I knew I had to buy tickets by all means.

I woke up early in the morning to catch the opening of Ticketworld in Robinsons Place Manila—a big challenge, since I’m not a morning person. I clocked in at exactly 10:12 a.m., and there were already 12 people in line.

It was an interesting mix—students, yuppies, young mothers who didn’t look the gig-going type. The line moved awfully slow, since there were credit-card problems. So we resorted to small talk.

“Buti na lang wala akong pasok ngayon,” said one guy in a school uniform.

“Hindi kaya marketing strategy ’yung free muna then canceled naman to create the hype?” said a lady in a bank uniform.

“Noong first year college ako, nagi-ipon talaga kami para makapanood ng gig. Favorite ko talaga si Ely,” replied a lady in corporate get-up.

The two continued the chit-chat.

“’Yung husband ko naman, paborito si Raimund. Iiwan ko muna yung mga bata sa mother ko sa Saturday.”

“Sana hindi naman magulo.”

“Magkikita kami ulit ng mga classmates ko noong high school.”

Take note that these were total strangers to each other. I waited in line for an hour and a half, amused at how the people were suddenly recalling their E-heads moments with affection.

“Eraserheads: The Reunion” is not just the band’s reunion. It is opening avenues for people to get together: ’90s teens, former high-school buddies, college pals, classmates, officemates, parents and kids, families.

It’s a wonderful reminder on how the Eraserheads made an impact in the ’90s and how they are still able to unite people with their music until now.

As of press time, half of the 5,000-plus tickets were still available, according to Ticketworld.

Gates will open at 3 p.m. on Saturday and the gig will start at 8 p.m. Imagine what a security nightmare this event would be for the police. But I am hoping things will turn out fine.

Heard from the end of the ticket line from a guy in dreadlocks: “Magkita tayo ng lunch sa Saturday baka bukas pa lang may nagca-camping na sa Fort.”

Rakenrol!