Pupil version 2015

I’m getting old. The last concert I went to was the New Year Countdown at Resorts World Manila, where Ely Buendia was so close to us—approximately half a meter away on a 3-foot stage.

I never thought I’d ever get closer than that. But thanks to H&M, the distance this time was shockingly about half a ruler’s length, on maybe a 12-inch stage. As Ely put it, this was the closest they’ve ever been to the crowd while performing. I was so close I could count his white hairs… so close I could even read their setlist.

To be honest, I was a little bit disappointed when I saw the setlist. Most of the songs were from their new album, Zilch. If they had released this when I was still in college, I would have already bought it and been able to sing along with the band. But no, I’m at an age where the quarter-life crisis is hitting hard. Sayang, I couldn’t show him that I knew the songs—and we even made eye contact!

The first two songs were “Firewall” and “Why.” The third song was “20/20” from Limitless of the Infinity Pool. Finally, I knew the song and was able to sing along! Next was “Resonate.” Then a group of teenage boys requested “Monobloc” from the Wildlife album. Ely joked that Jerome Velasco (their new guitarist replacing Yan Yuzon) was still learning their songs. So I blurted out “Nasaan Ka” from Beautiful Machines. He said, “'Yun. 'Yung mas madali na lang.” Haaay… it was surreal. It was beautifully sung. I sang along, and surprisingly, almost everyone knew the song. Ely seemed happy to see that people still knew songs by Pupil (and not just his old band).

Since he was so close and it was my first time using my Canon S140 to take concert photos, I was practicing with the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO (or whatever, haha). Anyway, some people were requesting “Hey Jude” and “Hey Jay,” and Ely gamely played the intro riffs of those songs. Then they started requesting other songs from his old band. I wanted to say, “Please stop!” since Ely was in such a good mood and I didn't want them to ruin it. He had already played “Magasin,” and I could tell he was in a genuinely great mood.

I think every time he's with Pupil, he feels more comfortable. Unlike when he performs as a solo artist (where he projects a completely different vibe) or with The Oktaves, I can really see his passion and happiness when he's with Pupil. It’s his comfort zone.

After those nostalgic songs, they played new tracks like “Cheap Tricks” and “Out of Control.” At the end, he threw his guitar pick into the crowd while saying, “Sa inyo na lang.” I don’t know if I was just imagining it, but he looked right at me! Sayang! I almost caught it, pero there was a taller guy. So yeah, like I said, his vibe that day was just different. It was the happiest performance I’ve ever seen him give at a gig.

Wendell Garcia, the happiest drummer boy... but not seen in this picture.

                                Dok Sergio fixing his effects

                                           his signature pose

Ely wearing polka dot polo while showing his white hair…still looks good.

The disadvantage of being close is not getting a complete band shot 

Haaay… with this gig I rekindled my love affair with the band music and scene.
Thank you H&M for the giving us literal  “CLOSE” the loop experience.