On with E-Heads show

On with E-Heads show (Ricky Lo, Philippine Star 08-08-08)

As Funfare Update reported in a “scoop” a few issues ago, the Eraserheads are doing a reunion concert on Aug. 30 at the Bonifacio Global City Open Grounds in Taguig City (and not within the CCP Complex as earlier reported).

E-Heads fans are eagerly waiting for the reunion of the quartet which disbanded a few years ago, with each member forming his own new band. The four guys are Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala and, the lead vocalist and most well-known among them, Ely Buendia who initially formed Mongol, which was short-lived, and then Pupil which is still active.

Because the reunion concert is sponsored by Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc., maker and distributor of Marlboro (the company’s flagship brand), there has been some uproar against it.

But the show will go on, rain or shine, come what may.

Here’s the “reactive media statement” from Dave Gomez, PMPMI public affairs and communications manager:

In response to numerous inquiries from the public including the media, we confirm that the Eraserheads will be performing in a one-night only event as part of our Marlboro Red Nation promotions which we have been running for the past two years exclusively for our adult smokers.

The event is not open to the general public. Access to the event is age-restricted, strictly by invitation only, and is intended for members of PMPMI’s adult smokers’ database, trade and business partners, and selected adult guests. Invites to the event will be distributed exclusively through PMPMI’s website, www.marlboro.com.ph, which is restricted only to persons 18 years old and above. Invites will be issued free of charge, with a corresponding control number, and will be non-transferable. For admission to the event venue itself, invitees are required to present the personalized invite containing their name and birth date and a corresponding government-issued ID for verification. The event will be held on August 30 at the Bonifacio Global City open grounds in Taguig City.

We wish to clarify that this promotional event is lawful as it is allowed under Republic Act 9211 otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

Section 23 of RA 9211 states that the following restrictions shall apply on all tobacco promotions:

1. Promotions must be directed only to persons at least eighteen (18) years old. No person below eighteen (18) years old or who appear to be below eighteen (18) years old may participate in such promotions. The participants in promotions must be required to provide proof of age.”

The same law under section 4, paragraph “L” defines promotion as “an event or activity organized by or on behalf of a tobacco manufacturer, distributor or retailer with the aim of promoting a brand of tobacco product, which event or activity would not occur but for the support given to it by or on behalf of the tobacco manufacturer, distributor or retailer.” RA 9211 allows tobacco promotions with restrictions. On the other hand, tobacco sponsorship is not allowed.

By definition under the law, sponsorship “refers to any public or private contribution to a third party in relation to an event, team or activity made with the aim of promoting a brand of tobacco product, which event, team or activity would still exist or occur with such contribution.”

Aside from the provisions on promotion that clearly allows us to stage the performance, we are not making a contribution to a third party. We are organizing the event ourselves and the event will not take place without the support given to it by PMPMI.

The Eraserheads performance is not a form of sponsorship. PMPMI’s participation in the event is not as a sponsor, but as a promoter. And this promotional event is open only to persons 18 years old and above. If any person will present or try to present a falsified or fake invite or government ID, PMPMI will not hesitate to criminally prosecute the offender to the full extent of the law.

We respect and will always comply with the law.

PMPMI believes in regulating the manufacture, marketing and distribution of our products that is why we supported the passage and continue to support the implementation of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.