Netizens anticipating the announcement of tickets to Huling El Bimbo, the Eraserheads concert on 22 December at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque, expressed surprise, if not shock, over the prices.
Said a post on The Eraserheads Combo Nation Facebook fan page, quoting the Eheads song “Magasin”: “Sana’y hindi nakita / Sana’y walang problema / Pagka’t kulang ang dala kong pera…”
Accompanying the post was the list of ticket prices: Moshpit: P17,260; VIP: P14,610; Platinum: P12,180; Gold: P9,740; Silver: P5,480; Bronze: P3,050.
Aries Pascual Laquindanum said, with another quote on another Eheads track: Good luck kung mapupuno. Sa Final Set, present ako… Sobrang layo namin pero P300 lang ang ticket.. Ang sarap mag-enjoy sa music at alam mong hindi sugatan ang bulsa mo… Pero ngayon gagastos ka ng P3,050 para sa ganun din kalayo, ‘shake yer head and walk away.’ Hindi ako nag-comment nang ganito para i-bash ang Eheads, nag labas lang ng saloobin… Hindi makatarungan!
Zyk Bañez shows off her Eheads concert ticket.
However, Ackie Balingit Sia had a different view: “Hindi naman kasi porket international, expect na mas mahal at kapag Pinoy eh dapat mas mura. If you’re a true fan of the Eheads, you’ll understand their value. May law naman about sa overpricing, at yung CEO ng WEU, the concert producer, has been in the industry for more than a decade, siya nagdala kay Rihanna and sa Mama Mia… I’m sure he knows what he’s doing. Hindi niya yan pinag-isipan overnight tapos nanghula lang ng presyo ng tickets…”
In any case, fans still turned out in droves on 5 October when the tickets went on sale.
Gushed Zyk Bañez, as she quoted the Eheads tune “Alapaap”: “Ako ngayoy lumilipad at nasa langit na, gusto mo bang sumama…?’’
Satire illustration of Eheads ticket prices showing ‘free’ sections.
“I am the happiest fan girl right now! I can’t believe I will be seeing them perform for the second time as a complete band…”
On the other hand, Aubrey Noel Hechanova, who couldn’t afford it, issued an appeal: “Hi, baka naman may mag-donate diyan. Kahit bronze ticket lang… Sobrang lungkot ko na hindi ko mapapanood…
2015 lang ako naging fan pero lahat ng album nila pinakinggan ko mabuti… kaya baka naman…
To which Jesus Destajo Tapulado replied: “Maghunos-dili ka! Hindi mo kailangan manghingi, dito ka nababagay.” Accompanying the post was a satire graphic image of the ticket prices, with a free section dubbed “Slapsoil”— a literal English translation of the Filipino term for bums, “hampas-lupa.”