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Published January 18, 2023, 11:22 AM
by Enzo Luna
Every Eraserheads fan’s dream is to get the much-anticipated concert tickets for the Ang Huling El Bimbo Reunion Concert 2022 as soon as each band member drops the exciting reveal of the concert, which took place last December 22 at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Paranaque City.
The reunion concert was a very good part of the music industry to end 2022 with a bang and a sold-out tickets many Eraserheads fans “will die for”.
Fortunately for Dr. Apollo Borlasa, or Doc Apoll for short, he was able to secure not just a regular ticket but an Entourage Access Pass to the AHEB Reunion Concert 2022, which meant he would be able to mingle with and see the band before and during the concert.
Doc Apoll, a veterinarian by profession, is a huge fan of Eraserheads and has been collecting band memorabilia for years. He is a Poultry and Swine Farm Consultant who has been volunteering to collect blood samples for Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever screening tests.
I was able to interview Doc Apoll and asked him to share his experiences on how he was able to secure the coveted access pass through the special NFT with an entourage pass benefit for the Eraserheads reunion concert through the bidding he won.
Marcus Adoro, also known as Punk Zappa, gave fans one more chance to be a part of the “Huling El Bimbo” experience as a member of his entourage. This entourage access utility is linked to one of his non-fungible tokens, “We Are the Mongols,” the first issue of the Punk Zappa Cover Series NFTs he released in the metaverse in 2022.
Hi, Doc Apoll, as I was reading your short profile, I was kinda reminded of the Punk Zappa character himself. As true-blooded Eheads fans who’ve heard PZ’s monologues, you both quite are the same. You both love to listen to music, you both love to collect, you both love OPM and foreign bands particularly the heavy, grunge, punk, and rock. Plus you both love going to concerts.
How did Punk Zappa and Eraserheads affect and influence your growing up years and are you a Punk Zappa in real life?
Doc Apoll: I think every batang 90’s especially during their high school and college days can relate to Punk Zappa, and surely everyone knew Eraserheads because many of their songs can be heard on every FM radio stations back then. During those times, most of the bands in any school or any student who was learning to play a guitar surely knew how to play any Eraserheads song. Until now, you can still hear their songs everywhere lalo na sa mga videoke. Ganyan sila kasikat at ka-legendary!
Have you always been a fan of the Eheads, who’s your favorite among the members, what’s your favorite album (or song) from the band?
DA: Yes, including the bands that they are affiliated with. My favorite member of course is Marcus Adoro, because he gave me the chance to know him personally. He is witty and has a good heart. He held a fund raising activity for the victims of typhoon Odette through the sales of the digital prints of his Eheads artworks. Most of the Eheads fans (and even Eheads themselves) will agree to me that the first three albums will always be the favorite of everyone.
What’s the most expensive Eraserheads collection, set aside the NFT, that you own right now?
DA: UEMP vinyl records signed by them. Today it has sky-rocketed value because many collectors are after it.
What was your reaction when Ely, Marcus, Buddy, Raimund released a crypto image of the inverted ‘E” in their social media accounts before they announced the reunion is happening? Were you still expecting it to really happen?
DA: It was expected that they will have this reunion any time soon. But when they simultaneously posted this inverted letter “E” on their respective social media accounts, that was the time that made me really excited!
Let’s talk about the We Are The Mongols NFT. How did you find out about the release of the NFT? Are you already into crypto? What specific crypto have you been trading? How long have you been in it?
DA: I follow @punkzappanft on Instagram and Punk Zappa on Discord that’s why I’m updated about Punk Zappa NFTs. I’m just a newbie in this crypto industry.
Back in the 90s, we did not see this kind of future where tech innovation like crypto and NFTs will be merged with art and music. What’s your initial reaction when you learned about how technology and art/music can be collaborated into a piece of collection?
DA: I’m hesitant at first because I prefer to have a physical collection instead of having it on digital file. But with the technology and innovation today, owning NFTs has a monetary value (compared to downloaded file). It may or may not increase its value in the future, but at least, you own an artist’s original work of art.
Were you present when Marcus Adoro launched the NFT drop in Cubao? If yes, were you able to meet and shake hands with Punk Zappa himself?
DA: I did not make it in Cubao, but I’ll be attending their next exhibit for sure.
Can you tell us your experience when you bid the NFT and the moment you found out that you have won the bidding? Can you also share with us the process? How much did you spend on it?
DA: I placed a bid of $310 a few hours before the bidding ended. It’s almost the same amount of the mosh pit ticket so I thought if someone would outbid me, I’m not going to fret about it because it would cost me a lot of money to bid higher again (increment of $100). I wasn’t able to monitor the bidding because I fell asleep. When I woke up, there was a notification that I won the bidding. The rest is history.
What is your plan with the NFT? Are you going to resell it? or keep it?
DA: I’m going to keep it for sure, but I think I would consider trading it with someone who can offer truly rare Eheads memorabilia.
What made you interested in that particular NFT? Is it because they offered a shot to the Entourage Pass? Or do you have a specific reason why you bought the We Are The Mongols NFT?
DA: I became interested because of the Entourage Pass. I already have physical copies of the NFTs but in a calendar and in a digital print that I bought from Punk Zappa himself.
If it will be up for sale again, will you be buying it again?
DA: Yeah for sure.
Going back to the concert, what was your unique and memorable experience during the concert? Were you satisfied with the playlist or felt ‘bitin pa’? If given a chance, would you be watching the AHEB World Tour?
DA: “Underpromise, overdeliver”. They gave a backstage pass not only for me, but also to my wife and my daughter! They also provided a photographer and a videographer to document our whole experience. Another unique & memorable experience is that we watched it with Moonstar88 during the entire concert. The setlist is very satisfying, especially the first set where they played the entire Cutterpillow album in exact order like listening to their cassette tape in 1995. And if we will be given another chance of being part of entourage like this, we will definitely watch them on one of their upcoming world tour. Or kahit sa rehearsals lang, to be realistic.
How did it feel being in front of your idols?
DA: We regularly see them naman in their respective gigs, but seeing them together is very nostalgic of high school days.
Did you have the chance to talk to them backstage? If yes, what were the things you’ve talked about? What did you say to Marcus Adoro who initiated the NFT releases?
DA: Yes, all of them except Ely. Sayang because we did not have the chance to have a picture together with all of them during the meet and greet. I thanked Marcus for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We did not talked that much during that moment because we regularly chat each other naman.
As a rock music fan, what can you share to other fans out there who are eager to meet their idols?
DA: If you want to meet them, just go to their gigs. They are very approachable and accommodating. Kung may papipirmahan kayo collections, after the show is the best time.
And as an NFT collector, what can you share or how would you advise people who are into NFTs and trading cryptocurrencies?
DA: You have to own this first-of-its-kind piece of digital art by Punk Zappa, especially if you’re truly an Eheads fan and a collector.
Thank you, Doc Apoll. It was fun to have your answers to these questions. If you still have any more to add, please do so. Maybe a short message to Punk Zappa, to Eraserheads, and the NFT enthusiasts.
DA: Thank you, idol Marcus Adoro for this once-in-a-lifetime experience for being part of your entourage for the Ǝraserheads Huling El Bimbo Reunion Concert! Congratulations Eraserheads on your epic show! We are truly thankful and blessed to be part of your legendary concert na nakaukit na sa music history! I hope our family can have a photo op together with the four of you. To all NFT enthusiasts, it is worth it to collect Punk Zappa NFTs especially if you’re also a hard core Eraserheads fan because you can have utilities like exclusive access to Punk Zappa!
To see more of Punk Zappa’s NFT collection, go to punkzappa.com.
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