The soundtrack of my college life would be set with Erasherheads tunes. My sister, who studied in UP, would play Ultraelectromagneticpop at home incessantly. I didn’t complain. Their music was fun. The sound was fresh. And I found myself hooked on their garage band sound. The first time I watched them live was at an end of school shindig in junior year. I even managed to score their autographs too! Heheh!

I am not a die-hard fan. In fact, I only have the first three albums–Ultraelectromagneticpop, Circus and Cutterpillow. But I most certainly have a fondness for them, like a childhood friend you grew up with. As I matured, their music did too. When their creative genius could no longer be contained by being just part of the Eraserheads, they went on their separate ways to pursue solo careers. On their own, I think they’re doing quite well. Ely has Pupil. Raimund has Sandwich and makes an appearance with bands he’s mentoring like Pedicab. Marcus has Markus Highway. Buddy plays bass for The Dawn.

Even if the band’s demise was mired in controversy, fans dreamed of the day they would reunite to play the good old songs. The first one in August 2008 ended abruptly as Ely was rushed to the hospital. The Final Set last Saturday at the MOA concert grounds performed to a record crowd of 100,000. The huge number of people there didn’t really hit me till I felt reclaimed ground shake after Ely yelled “Talon!” to the audience during the encore.

During the 90s, they were just a band. Fifteen years later, the Eraserheads and their music have eveolved to represent a generation. How did they do it? They simply wrote clever lyrics, played good music and had fun onstage. There were no pretensions of loftier ideals. Even if the band’s fantastic four have gone their separate ways, I will forever be a fan.

Mom on Holiday. After six long years, my mother finally spent a much needed Christmas in the Philippines. And I let her play mom because I’m sure she was itching to “mother” me, the husband and my sister. It’s nice to have her around. She’s been gone for so long that it never occured to me that I did indeed miss her. I bawled like a baby when it was time to say goodbye.

Hello, Stepfather. Along with loads of luggage and pasalubong, she brought along with her a new husband. Yes, I have a stepfather–a kind man with blue eyes who is a far cry from the typical ugly american tourist. He was very game, excited to sample the exotic tropical fruits of Davao–from Durian to Mangoes to Marang to Mangosteen.

Farewell Swankee. I lost a dear old pet to an illness. You do your best to take care of them, give them medication and making them comfortable to the point of endangering your own well-being, but you still lose the battle. He’s a noticeable absence in the household. I miss the pitter-patter of his paws and his climbing onto my lap.

Published Display of Affection. My husband has declared to the whole country that he loves my curves. Read more in the April issue of Marie Claire Philippines.

It’s scary.

I am guilty of many things mentioned in Weird Al Yankovic’s latest parody.