Eraserheads members receive UP Gawad Oblation medals

The members of Eraserheads each received a medal from the UP Gawad Oblation for their band's contributions to the country as well as the university.

Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro, former students of the university, attended the event held at UP Diliman in Quezon City on Tuesday.

According to University of the Philippines System President Atty. Angelo Jimenez, the Gawad Oblation was first launched in 2017.

It is the "highest distinction that our university can bestow. It is of our deep gratitude for the extraordinary service rendered with or in our name, in the name of UP."

The citation certificate read by Atty. Roberto MJ Lara, Secretary of the University and the Board of Regents, said that the recognition was given to the Eraserheads for their "enduring excellence as a band, reflecting the university's commitment to promoting national pride and cultural excellence."

In his speech, Ely thanked UP for "giving us the foundation to create, explore, and challenge the status quo."

"Thank you for instilling in us the courage to pursue our passions and the responsibility to use our platform for good," he said.

The Eraserheads are proud Iskolars ng Bayan. In a 2022 interview with GMA News Online, they shared their "goal up to this day" is to play the "AS Steps" of UP Diliman.  

The Eraserheads reunited in 2022 at the SMDC Festival Grounds for a one-night-only show titled Huling El Bimbo.

In 2023, they toured the United States and Canada and scheduled more shows this year.

The band will also have a documentary film called "Eraserheads: Combo On The Run."