How the story of the Eraserheads came full circle in ‘Combo On the Run’

The Eraserheads finally revisit their long, colorful and, oftentimes, troubled history in “Eraserheads: Combo On the Run.” The documentary film, released on May 30 on Netflix,  follows the lead-up to their 2022 reunion concert. 

More than just a concert film, it explores the band’s legacy, the stories behind their rise, and the enduring impact that made them icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Often dubbed as “The Beatles of the Philippines,” the Eraserheads shaped a generation with their mix of wit, emotion, and unmistakably Filipino storytelling. The documentary gives fans an intimate look at how they formed a ragtag "combo" in UP Diliman's Kalayaan Hall dormitory,  why  most of them struggled emotionally despite achieving fame, their onstage personas and behind-the-scene footage.

The self-described "punk band" formed in 1989 at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. The Eraserheads were born when Ely Buendia, who was formerly a vocalist of a band,  put up posters looking for band members inside the Kalayaan Hall dorm. Only three guys answered and they instantly became the band: Buddy Zabala on bass, Marcus Adoro on guitar, and Raymund Marasigan on drums. 

Their early days weren’t glamorous. The group started out recording demo tapes on cassette they bought cheap from Raon, and distributed them on campus, with only a handful noticing them. They were repeatedly rejected by bars and record labels, but momentum eventually picked up.  Buendia once described it as “a slow, slow crawl to the top.”

Their break came through underground venues like Club Dredd, a key hub of Manila’s music scene in the 1990s. There, their mix of humor, high energy performances, and relatable lyrics made them stand out. As journalist and author Eric Caruncho noted, humor became one of their defining traits—something deeply rooted in Filipino culture that set them apart from more serious bands of the time.

By the mid-90s, success came fast. After the 1993 debut album "Ultraelectromagnetic Pop," and  the sophomore LP "Circus," the 1995 album "Cutterpillow" became a massive hit, eventually going eight times platinum and cementing its place as one of the best-selling rock albums in the country. 

Songs like “Pare Ko,” “Toyang,” “Minsan,” and “With a Smile” became generational anthems, while “Alapaap” sparked controversy after being criticized for promoting drug use—something the band denied at the time.

Their rise continued from there. By 1997, they toured internationally and won awards, including MTV’s International Viewer’s Choice Award for Asia. But just as their popularity peaked, internal tensions began to creep in. 

The band eventually broke up in 2002 after Buendia’s sudden departure, which led to years of speculation. Though they had brief reunions in the years that followed, the reasons behind their split were never fully discussed.

In 2021,  rumors of a possible reunion surfaced online after Buendia responded to a fan on X who asked him if the band would come back together. His reply went viral when he said that a reunion could happen if then–Vice President Leni Robredo ran for president, saying: “Pag tumakbo si Leni.”

Robredo later entered the 2022 presidential race, drawing widespread public attention and strong support from her followers. Buendia later clarified that his remark was partly made in jest, though he eventually endorsed her candidacy and even performed in her campaign sorties.

Following the May 2022 elections, the Eraserheads reunited in December that year. That reunion became a key catalyst for "Combo On the Run."

Director Maria Diane Ventura says the timing of the 2022 reunion felt almost “inevitable.” The concert at SMDC Festival Grounds became the biggest live music event in the Philippines at the time and eventually served as the spark for the documentary itself.

The film also places the band’s story in a larger cultural context. In the years following the 1986 People Power Revolution, their music resonated with a generation seeking expression, humor, and release, capturing everyday Filipino life in ways that felt simple yet powerful. 

Decades later, their influence endures, with millions of streams and  new audiences discovering their music. The music of the Eraserheads—often described as “para sa masa”—remains accessible across generations.

In the documentary, the band reflects not just on fame but on the emotional distance that grew over the years. The film presents a portrait of artists who drifted apart but eventually reconnected through music, memory, and time.