Ely Buendia to those involved in ‘El Bimbo’ plagiarism issue: ‘Make this right’

Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia urged the “people, companies and corporations” involved in the Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical plagiarism issue to address it, saying in a Facebook post: “you alone have the power to make this right.”

Ely was referring to the winner of online talent search The Pop Stage allegedly plagiarizing musical arrangements from Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical, a play based on the songs of The Eraserheads.

The winner, CJ Villavicencio, sang a medley of Eraserheads songs in the finals night of the competition The Pop Stage, hosted by Matteo Guidicelli and sponsored by Popeyes. In his performance, CJ used a musical arrangement nearly identical to what was used in the play.

As the winner, CJ was awarded P1 million and a 1 year contract with Viva Artists Agency.

Ely didn’t name anyone specific in his Facebook post, but said, “You have the power to teach a young man and all the young people out there about to join the world, our children, a most valuable lesson that can have no other effect except make them good and become better.”

“You have the power to stand up for and give back to the art which has been a source of life for all of us. You have the power to set an example and for once do the right thing, and become a beacon of hope in these dark times ruled by greed, hate and lies,” he said.

He acknowledged that there are “more pressing matters,” but said that the issue goes beyond the music, the prizes, and the credit.

“Your actions will set a precedent and have repercussions in the years to come. On which side of history do you want to be on? Search your hearts for the truth and it will set you free,” he said.

CJ has since released his own statement on the issue, saying that he did not intend to plagiarize music from the play, despite using it in his performance.

“I am sorry if I caused undue distress, seemed disrespectful or if I have hurt the theater community,” he said. – Rappler.com