Flies on the 'Spoliarium'

The parallels of Philippine High Society with the ruling class of Old Rome are stranger than fiction. For the longest time Pinoy High Society displayed its excess and decadence by hosting food orgies, splashing floor and carpets with expensive wines and showing it off to the world through photographic mosaics of the rich and aimless.

In recent years, the “orgies” have been about watches, diamonds, signature bags, and re-engineering work on worn out boobs, butts and bellies. In effect, the public display of debauchery went from consumptive to cosmetic, from ingested to displayed. It was no longer enough to say it; they eventually had to show it.

Sadly, some of those so-called “High Society” people have gone too far. They have followed the saying “when in Rome, do like the Romans do” except they’re doing it two thousand years too late.

Imagine the Juan Luna painting of the “Spoliarium” where the painter brings us behind the scenes of a Roman Arena. You find yourself watching workers as they drag another dead body of a gladiator. The scene captures the stench and indifference of people to death.

On one side you could almost listen-in on the blow-by-blow account of the last death match. Death stands unmoved, while a woman weeps. If I remember correctly there is even a half naked woman against the wall being looked over by two old men sneering and determining her potential to give service or satisfaction.

Just add on a few dozen flies and the entire picture would be complete. Flies coming in at the smell of blood. Flies coming in to feed themselves and party.

All this comes together once you discover that the new standard of being rich and famous in the Philippines is being able to fly to Las Vegas, Nevada to watch a blood bath between Oscar dela Hoya and Manny Pacquiao, be part of the 24-hour orgy of food and drinks, rubbing elbows with Vegas social climbers and freeloaders, have your photos taken for eventual release in the magazines of your choice because you gave them loads of advertising or because you paid for their trip as well. And then come back to your employees and constituents acting like you did it for love of Manny and love of country.

How did Manny Pacquiao boxing matches become the latest standard of being rich and famous? In the early bouts it was purely an affair of the boxing enthusiasts and real supporters of Manny Pacquiao. In the mix were the half-breeds who were government officials as well as boxing “personalities” or long time supporters.

As Manny racked up victory upon victory, other government officials started joining the pack and brought their wife or mistress along. Before you know it, the talk of the town was no longer about watches, diamonds, Lipo or butox. The not so “in” now had bragging rights about being part of “Team Pacquiao”.

In the mean time the aging and progressively boring local rich and famous were being boxed out the lifestyle sections and celebrity columns by a new breed of young entrepreneurs and beautiful faces. The merchants of Vice were no longer interested in inviting the elder Moms and Dads to their hip events. In short, many High Society people were beginning to be cropped out of the picture.

Just like the Discos, the Bars, and BORA or Boracay, they realized that it was not too late or shabby to “hang” with Team Pacquiao and for the same amount of money you could bring your own camera crew to cover you.

This is no fit of envy, merely my reaction to the accounts that are now being made by some of their accomplices as well as Pinoy Americans who are sending back details of how much money was burned ordering food and booze like money was no object. I guess it only makes sense considering the hundred thousands of dollars the Rich and Famous Pinoys made betting against Mexicans. Money they will never declare or pay taxes on, money that will probably stay in the US mainland.

I would have ignored the whole deal but half of those pretending to be rich and famous characters are suppose to be government employees, small town officials and unknown “probinsyanos”. After all the sports coverage, we now start seeing and reading stories of who went with whom to Vegas, who paid for whom in Vegas, and who was closeted with whom.

They did not go simply to cheer and encourage Manny to victory. They went to be part of the circle of blood and debauchery, their reward for all the money they made in the Philippines, a business necessity and to sign their name in the latest social registry. They went to toast and shout cheers not just for Manny but more for themselves, because in their vanity they believe that they “belong”.

The idea of flies on the “Spolarium” is just as real as flies on the Carabao. Like a beast of burden, Manny Pacquiao trained so hard and sacrificed so much for a well-deserved victory. He brought home honor, pride and many lessons about humility in victory, glory to God, and the importance of sacrifice and preparation.

I wish some of those who wish to be called members of “High Society” and “Team Pacquiao” would walk the talk instead of behaving like “Flies on the Spolarium”.