Ely Buendia reveals the real story behind Eraserheads song 'Spoliarium'

In an interview with Saab Magalona and Jim Bacarro on their podcast, "Wake Up with Jim and Saab," Ely Buendia revealed the real story behind "Spoliarium."

"Alam niyo yung drink na Goldshläger? So we were drinking that, and that gintong alak, that’s what it meant. It’s all about getting pissed drunk," Ely said.

The song, which was included in the Eraserheads 1997 album "Sticker Happy" had fans relating it with late '80s sexy star Pepsi Paloma's controversial rape case since its lyrics included two people named "Enteng" and "Joey."

A part of the lyrics read:

Umiyak ang umaga
Ano'ng sinulat ni Enteng at Joey diyan
Sa gintong salamin?
'Di ko na mabasa 'pagkat mayro'ng nagbura

According to Ely, the Enteng and Joey mentioned in the song were actually their road managers at that time.

“They were roadies. Kaya first time ko nabasa 'yun, that urban legend, sabi ko, ‘Wow, okay ‘to ah.' There really is, sometimes, 'yung mga coincidence like that, you have no power over that. It just happens," he said.

Still, the Eraserheads vocalist admitted he liked how "the myth sort of taken over the facts." 

"Well, Spoliarium is one of those cases really, the myth sort of taken over the facts and I kinda like it. I kinda like the myth because as for the meaning of the song it’s just, also again it’s just really mundane."

Ely adds he's quite proud of the song, too. 

"I’m really proud of it, if I sing it live all the time," he said.

The song "Spolarium" referenced Filipino painter Juan Luna's masterpiece that was finished in 1884. — LA, GMA News