Marcus Adoro to perform at Eraserheads festival in October amid rape allegations
Warning: This article includes mention of rape.
OPM band Eraserheads is moving forward with its Electric Fun Music Festival on Oct. 18 with lead guitarist Marcus Adoro—despite his past announcement of stepping back from their activities amid rape allegations.
"[T]his serves as the official confirmation that Marcus Adoro will be participating in the Electric Fun Music Festival as a member of the Eraserheads," its producers said in a statement.
According to them, Adoro is "actively and legally addressing the baseless and false allegations that recently circulated online."
"Mr. Adoro maintains his innocence and has presented the steps he has taken to assert his innocence through the appropriate legal channels," they said. "His legal counsel has also assured us that his participation in the festival will not hinder or delay their ongoing efforts to seek a fair and lawful resolution."
The festival producers noted that they're making their position clear: "We do not condone abuse in any form. At the same time, we firmly reject the culture of trial by social media. Allegations must be heard, but the truth must be proven, not assumed."
"We stand for due process, fairness, and the fundamental right of every individual to address accusations in a lawful and just manner," they added
The producers said the Electric Fun Music Festival is moving forward and are "doing so with clarity, integrity, and our full commitment to the music and the community that brought us all together."
Eraserheads announced the festival last March, saying it will feature their timeless hits as well as performances from rising and seasoned artists. The event will be held on Oct. 18.
Soon afterward, a Reddit user posted about how they were allegedly raped by Adoro when they were in high school. The user said it's "unfair" for people to "forgive and forget" Adoro, claiming "he's a known and recorded abuser of women."
"He raped me and countless other women—tried to rape one acquaintance of mine, as well," the user alleged. They also called out other band members—Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, and Raimund Marasigan—for "having no principles."
On April 6, Buendia, on behalf of the band, said they're acknowledging the allegations, with Adoro saying he's stepping back from their activities.
Adoro's daughter Syd Hartha and ex-partner Barbara Ruaro also accused the Eraserheads guitarist of physical and verbal abuse in 2019.
After the allegations were brought to light again in 2022 when the band announced their reunion concert, Adoro penned an open letter to his daughter on Instagram. "Syd, san ka man, I hope you're doing well. As you well know, I'm far from perfect kay normal if you want nothing to do with me. Sana lang magkaroon ng second chance for redemption," he said. "I'm sorry for the ruckus that I may have caused my family, the public, the sponsors, and my bandmates. Pasensya na."
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If you are, or if you personally know someone being abused, don’t hesitate to seek help to stop the abuse. The Philippine Commission on Women has shared important contact details if such abuses were to occur:
POLICE/INVESTIGATION ASSISTANCE
PNP Hotline: 177
Aleng Pulis Hotline: 0919 777 7377
PNP Women and Children Protection Center
24/7 AVAWCD Office: (02) 8532-6690
Email address:wcpc_pnp@yahoo.com/wcpc_vawcd@yahoo.com/avawcd.wcpc@pnp.gov.ph
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)
Hotline: (02) 8929-9436 local 106, 107, or 159 (local “0” for operator)
(+62) 9393233665
Email address:pao_executive@yahoo.com
REFERRAL SERVICES
Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children
Mobile numbers: 09178671907 | 09178748961
Email address:iacvawc@pcw.gov.ph
