•Fil-Am bands to hold benefit show for Franz on May 30 in NYC

•American doctors and hospitals called upon to help Franz with this rare disease

•Donation channels now established in New York

NEW YORK– The human mind cannot comprehend many things. And the story of a young 18-year old Filipino college student named Franz Pantaleon is one of those. The eldest of three, Franz is a regular kid who loves graphic novels, photography, computers and cooking Chinese food. He is the loving son of Rach and F Pantaleon, who always looked at their firstborn with love and happiness. However, in late of 2008, things began to unravel, and Franz, along with his family and relatives are never the same.

Franz initially complained of pains in his left flank side, which alleviated when he took pain pills. Then he urinated blood once, but his doctor just suspected a minor passing of stones.

A December check up with a pediatrician revealed nothing extraordinary. However, in January 2009, Franz began to complain of pain, this time, on the right flank side. Likewise, he urinated blood several times. An ultrasound later, that same week revealed a large tumor in his left kidney. He was scheduled for a nephrectomy, or the removal of the affected kidney. But due to possible complications, the doctors voted against the surgery. Instead, a new drug was introduced to target the renal cells.

A biopsy of Franz tumor also caused several complications. Blood clots formed his urinary bladder and he was catheterized and later on underwent emergency cystoscopy for clot evacuation. After two harrowing weeks in the hospital capped by a blood transfusion, Franz was discharged.

100,000 Filipinos came out on March 7, 2009 and enjoyed what is known as the last ever set of the greatest Filipino rock band ever, the Eraserheads.

It was a gigantic gig only the Pinoy Fab Four can pull off. Not even the mythical rock legends Juan Dela Cruz, or the unforgettable pop kings the APO Hiking Society can muster a gig as grand as that final set. Simply put, Filipino music fans have never seen anything like it–Unprecedented.

At the end of the show, Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala, and Raimund Marasigan gathered stage front to take their final bows before their adoring fans. They blew kisses to the multitude for showing up and remaining true to their music. It was at this time when Ely grabbed the microphone and said the last words: “ Thank you! We are the Eraserheads.”