While to some music fans Pupil is mere afterthought of Ely Buendia’s remarkable career in the ’90s, the quartet obviously has plans on its own. The fact it has already reached its fourth anniversary, with two studio albums under its belt and accolades beyond expectations only mean one thing: The band has proven its worth and exceeded its initial repuation as Ely’s attempt at recapturing glory days.

Formed in mid-2005 and entered the mainstream market with the album “Beautiful Machines” and carrier single “Nasaan Ka?,” Pupil has grown into one of the country’s most respected acts with a solid fan-base. Its 4th year anniversary celebration gig at Skydome, SM North Edsa last week simply showed how real is the labeling. Fans practically left their chairs as they all flocked together in front of the band, trying to get a closer look at the four grown-up musicians.

To a non-believer, the crowd’s manic reaction was made possible just because of Ely’s presence. But a closer peek at the proceedings would tell the fans were there for the group and its music. One could feel the audience wasn’t waiting for Eraserheads covers. They wanted to hear Pupil’s own musicality.

That made it a good decision for Ely, with guitarist Yan Yuzon, bassist Dok Sergio, and drummer Wendell Garcia, to open the show with “Disconnection Notice,” no doubt the most recognized song off Pupil’s second album “Wildlife.”

“You can either be an album band or a live band. Kahit nung E-heads pa lang ako, I was really torn. I really wanted to be a good live band,” says Ely in his interview with rock writer Aldus Santos whose retrospective writing on “Wildlife’s” recording and material gives fans a big dosage of information about the growth of Pupil.

The Skydome event last July 10 was a launch pad for the group’s new CD “Wildlife Special Edition” which features a disc two containing live recordings of some of the album’s tracks. A number from the first album, “Different Worlds” is, incidentally, the band’s current single.

The enhanced “Wildlife” package released by Sony Music also offers demos of three of its numbers: “Teacher’s Pet,” “Sumasabay,” and “Matador.”

Pupil’s best guitar riff song yet, “Disconnection Notice” closes the repertoire from the “Eyes In The Big Sky Listers Night Live.” The live take that begins with claps is innovatively arranged, even sprinkled with that legendary riff from James Bond theme “Live and Let Die” right before the second stanza kicks in.

Drummer boy Wendell is quoted as saying, “I treat every gig like, baka bukas, ‘di na tayo magising; baka bukas magunaw na ang mundo.”

Just in “Disco...,” he was playing like a man giving his best for last. In one sequence, all other elements bow to his edgy, brave rolling. Even someone as iconic as Ely can’t resist praising the former Barbie’s Cradle member. “Isa sa pinakamalaking influence dun sa album was Wendell, “Yung pagiging mas solid ng playing? That’s attributable to him,” he notes of the guy who got on board in 2007 after Bogs Jugo left.

At Skydome, Wendell moved in front once more, surprising everyone when he paid tribute to the King of Pop by singing Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror,” with Ely (his royal fan) on guitar. The performance mirrored what Pupil is capable of doing: surprising their fans and doing something out of the box.

The same night Pupil treated their fans to a rockin’ set, international wrestling stars did their thing inside the Araneta Coliseum and made true their promise of giving a real good show. Filipino fans generally expressed delight at what they saw.

The WWE ECW Smackdown Live in Manila was a major treat as far as true-blue fans are concerned, that in spite a couple of marquee names like Edge not around. The way the wrestlers delivered filled in that somewhat big void. So the promises done before the show were not sweet talk after all.

As for highlights, 222-pound stopper from Chicago CM Punk retained his crown over his challenger while small but quick 5’6” Rey Mysterio was the most applauded fighter of the night.

Fans, some of them from the local showbiz world like Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano, and from sports arena like PBA star Kerby Raymundo, were simply given what’s due them. Besides, it was a bad weather Friday and some of the ticket holders had to endure traffic going into and leaving the venue.

Prior to their show of force, champion CM Punk vowed to give “a hell of a show” when he was interviewed by Manila Bulletin via phonepatch weeks back. At the press conference a day before the big night, an official from the wrestling camp assured, “You won’t expect anything less.”

The boldest statement though came from one performer who guested over noontime show “Eat Bulaga” the afternoon before the rumble. He said, “It will be the real thrilla in Manila!”

Such was an instant hyperbole. But the spectacular fight sequences the wrestlers put on the ring were excitingly convincing enough to make everyone say they gave their all. For whatever reason, some Pinoys may have thought that those muscled acts won’t provide their finest showing since they’re “just on tour.” Thus, it really made a good impression that the ring warriors were really pushing themselves to give fans here their money’s worth.

The wrestlers looked ready to put on a show. It made sense that their spokespersons had all the confidence in making promises. “We won’t leave you disappointed. You will be overwhelmed with the performances,” added the official while addressing the media at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel where Hall of Famer Steamboat appeared before the local press.

Back in summer, half-Filipino Batista braved the sweltering Manila heat to promote the event. He was not expected to appear in the show but his gesture a few months ago immediately attracted multitude of fans to the scheduled fight night.