OPM legend Eraserheads conferred the UP Gawad Oblation, the university's highest distinction

"It is no exaggeration to say that the Eraserheads are a pivotal force in the history of Original Pilipino Music," Jimenez said in his speech during the awarding ceremony attended by PhilSTAR L!fe at the UP Executive House. "Even now, decades after they burst into the local music scene, they remain a household name, a cultural icon for the ages."

"They helped define the music, memories, and identity of a generation no less," he added.

Jimenez said the band revolutionized OPM by introducing a new sound, blending alternative rock with traditional Filipino elements and even Western rock styles "but with distinctly Pinoy sensibilities."

Jimenez pointed out that Eraserheads' tracks have a "cultural universality" that only a few pop songs have ever achieved.

"Many Filipinos, no matter their generation, still recognize the Eraserheads as a cultural touchstone. The Eraserheads' songs opened doors for new generations of Pinoy artists," he said.

Acceptance speeches

Buendia, Marasigan, Adoro, and Zabala were accompanied by their loved ones as they received the Gawad Oblation. The four of them also delivered their respective acceptance speeches.

Adoro, with his signature fedora hat and sunglasses, was the first to say his speech, opening with a short but stark declaration: "Free your mind. Blow it."

"Sa apat na gusali ng institusyong UP Diliman namin naranasan ang tunay na kalayaan. Kalayaang pumili, kalayaang maghayag, kalayaang sundin at pakinggan ang sariling himig," he said.

Adoro also recalled iconic spots in the university like the UP Library, Sunken Garden, Beta Way, and Lagoon. "Ipagpapatuloy namin ang pagtataguyod at pagsulong ng diwa ng Noypi," he said. "Mabuhay ang Noypi."

Marasigan gave his speech next, noting the Gawad Oblation wasn't something they ever dreamed about at all. He thanked those who supported Eraserheads, including their professors, children, spouses, and mentors.

Marasigan even joked about not earning their diplomas in the university. "Dito nagsimula kahit na hindi nakapagtapos. Salamat sa karangalan, parang gumraduate na rin kami ngayon," he said. "Sa mga nauna, sumabay, at nagpapatuloy, walang humpay na pasasalamat at padayon."

Zabala followed, saying he cannot express how grateful they are to share "this momentous occasion."

"We wouldn't be here today without the many, many kindred spirits and gentle guides who have shared our journey," he said, calling UP Diliman their "home away from home."

"Dito nag-umpisa ang lahat," Zabala said. "I came to the university as a 16-year-old from Zamboanga. My world expanded—no, exploded. UP has given us many unforgettable experiences, academic and otherwise, countless of which have made their way into our songs."

Buendia was the last to give a speech and, unlike his three other bandmates, preferred the podium to the stage in saying his piece.

The Eraserheads frontman walked down memory lane, recalling how much of a "rude awakening" the beginning of his UP journey was.

"In 1987, I was still reeling from high school, so I didn’t go during the first semester enrollment week. I had no idea what a block was, so I foolishly enrolled a week after," he said. "From 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening, I tried to get as many units as possible, lining up, knocking on faculty's doors. At the end of the day, I managed to enlist in only three subjects: History 10, Math 3, and Spanish 2 and 3. I was off to a good start!"

Buendia also recalled having a terror Spanish professor, who only spoke the language as did his classmates.

At the end of the semester, he said he barely managed to pass history and math but was "definitely going to get a 'singko' (failing grade) in Spanish."

"I begged my professor for a passing grade. And he asked me, 'Do you have anything that will make me consider passing you? Anything at all?' I said, 'Well, I can write a song.'"

He gave the professor a demo of Pare Ko, which he said was about his friend Rafael Umali. A day after, he was told he passed the subject.

"This taught me that, for one, my professor can't understand Tagalog," he said, drawing laughs from the crowd. "And two, from that point on, music can get me through anything in life."

Buendia said it's a "profound privilege" to be recognized by an institution that has shaped not only their minds and souls. "But above all, UP taught us something more valuable—how to question, how to challenge, how to stand up, and how to speak out."

"The spirit of social engagement, the pursuit of truth, and the commitment to social responsibility are values we have carried with us throughout our journey," he added.

Gawad Oblation

The Gawad Oblation was first conferred in 2017.

According to the university website, the award is named after UP’s enduring symbol, The Oblation, a sculpture by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino inspired by the second stanza of Jose Rizal’s poem Mi Ultimo Adios. The Oblation symbolizes offering one's self in service.

The Gawad Oblation medal was designed by Leo Abaya of the UP College of Fine Arts.

The medal depicts The Oblation as the human figure surmounting the central image, which is a closeup of The Oblation’s hand, as it were in the gesture of offering.

The hand is set against a golden and enlarged mother-of-pearl disc. The central image is surrounded by a green enamel band, which is inscribed with the Baybayin of Andres Bonifacio's translation from Spanish of the second line of Mi Ultimo Adios: "Sa kagalingan mo ay akin ding handog..." The medal is set in maroon enamel and has radiating sunrays drawn from the early designs of the Philippine flag.

The UP website said the Gawad Oblation medal is the signifier of the eminent value of service through sharing.

Eraserheads crash course

Eraserheads was formed in 1989 at UP Diliman. The band got its name from the 1977 David Lynch film Eraserhead.

They rose to fame in the '90s following BMG Records' three-year record deal offer.

Eraserheads released their debut album Ultraelectromagneticpop! in 1993, which included hits like Pare Ko, Ligaya, and Toyang.

They sustained the momentum in their next albums Circus (1994) and Cutterpillow (1995), producing more hits like Alapaap, Minsan, Magasin, With a Smile, and Ang Huling El Bimbo.

Eraserheads would enjoy mainstream success over the coming years, holding national and international concerts and even starring in the 1995 comedy movie Run Barbi Run alongside Joey De Leon.

Throughout their career, the group won several awards, including the MTV Video Music Awards. It was also hailed as Esquire Magazine's Artist of the Year in 2022.

Eraserheads disbanded in 2002, but their songs remained popular even to newer generations of listeners.

In July 2008, they held their first reunion concert, though it was cut short as Buendia collapsed on stage. A "continuation" of the reunion concert pushed through in January 2009, dubbed as The Final Set.

Though they already disbanded—and had their new respective bands—Eraserheads went on to perform abroad from 2012 to 2014.

In 2014, they dropped two new songs titled Sabado and 1995 for the September issue of Esquire Philippines. Two years later, Eraserheads reunited again for the event of the telecommunications giant PLDT-Smart.

In September 2022, Eraserheads hyped fans anew with an announcement of their third reunion concert in the Philippines, titled Ang Huling El Bimbo, after its greatest hit, in December of that year. The concert, which featured the entire Cutterpillow tracklist and its other numerous hits, saw a 75,000-strong crowd across generations.

Last June, the Eraserheads announced that they would hold a world tour in North America, Asia, and the Middle East from July to December 2024.