Ely Buendia trades his rock star persona to take on a leading role in the historical drama Padamlágan (Night Light), an entry to the 2025 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
Directed by Bicol filmmaker Jenn Romano, the film retells the story of the 1972 Colgante Bridge Tragedy in Naga, which claimed the lives of 138 devotees and injured many others during the Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession.
Blending fictional storytelling with experimental documentary elements, the film centers on Doring (Buendia), who is desperately searching for his missing son in the aftermath of the tragedy, set against the backdrop of President Ferdinand Marcos’s declaration of Martial Law.
Set in Bicol and primarily using the Bicolano language, the film features an all-Bicolano cast, including Esteban Mara, Floyd Tena, and Sue Prado. According to Buendia, starring in the film is both an honor and a significant moment in Naga City’s history, saying, “Telling this story feels like a return to my roots,” he said. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute.”
Buendia previously had minor appearances in the films by renowned auteur Lav Diaz: Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) and Ang Hupa (The Halt).
Padamlágan (Night Light) is set to premiere as an official selection of the 21st Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival this October.
Last month, Buendia released the remix version of his solo album, Method Adaptor. He and the Eraserheads were set to kick off their Electric Fun Music Festival on May 31, however, the event was postponed and will now take place in October 18, 2025, still at SMDC Festival Grounds.