Spoliarium: Reminder of a Memory in a Cunning Disguise

Observing the Spoliarium for the first time at the National Museum, I was stupefied by its

massiveness, immensity, and the foreignness of the painting’s setting, yet it still conveyed a sense of

familiarity. As someone who grew up only viewing paintings that screams Filipino culture and identity such as

Amorsolo’s, I was surprised that Spoliarium, made by a Filipino, depicts Roman characters and setting.

Despite its foreignness with regards to its features, I wondered why it did not feel unfamiliar or unheard-of? I

suppose this is because Spoliarium exhibits suffering that is ubiquitous and rife to us Filipinos.

By simply looking at the painting, it is unchallenging to associate the picture it presents with the

stories and news of suffering that various media outlets feed us; its similarity to the extra-judicial killings is

apparent and unambiguous. From the apathetic politicians; the petrified and unconcerned spectators; the

lifeless bodies of the victims; to the grieving and downcasted bereaved families are something we have

witnessed throughout the bloody and gruesome war on drugs by the current administration. Both the

Spoliarium and war on drugs demonstrate the oppression and brutality experienced by the Filipinos,

particularly the poor urban males as it appears that the victims of the extrajudicial killings are killed simply to

satisfy and give pleasure to the current administration’s supporters, similar to how gladiators are killed for the

entertainment and pleasure of the audience. Furthermore, the war on drugs does not give me the impression of

any significance as the police only targeted the petty drug users, and worse, innocent citizens. Despite this, the

indifference and the lack of concern of the admin’s supporters can be observed as they see this as victory rather

than loss and misery; which is comparable with the mood around the lifeless body in the painting, specifically,

the spectators on the far left as well as the other gladiators that might have perceived the dead bodies as

conquests.

It is appalling how the Spoliarium is still incredibly relevant in today’s world, particularly the killings

that were foisted by the current administration. It seems that Spoliarium is a reminder of a memory we should

not forget in order to prevent history from repeating itself. History repeats itself in a cunning disguise that we

do not detect until it's too late; hence, a reminder like this might do us a good turn unless we keep on turning a

blind eye on it, ensuing mistakes similar to what is currently happening.