Day 2: The Gladiator
My favorite movie.
Now that is a lame intro.
When I went to Singapore for a week-long training, the longest time that I was away from home, I tried to look for the 'familiar' during my last days in the city.
I had lunch at Pizza Hut, even if I should be trying the local cuisines. I had the urge to had pizza (one of my comfort foods) because I had to admit, I miss home.
Then there's the flight from Singapore to Manila (about three hours), and though Singapore Airlines made latest films available for viewing, I decided to watch The Gladiator.
It's one of those films I'd watch over and over again if there's a chance.
The synopsis is, the Roman emperor chose General Maximus to take his place (when he dies) instead of passing the crown to his own son, Commodus. Commodus then ordered the death of Maximus and his family.
But he survived and became a gladiator.
The world then saw the greatest battle when the new emperor Commodus challenged Maximus. Commodus died,and Maximus died soon after. He was best the emperor Rome never had.
Oops. I was reminded of Ninoy Aquino, probably the best president the country never had.
Other than its fantastic musical score, the thing I loved best with Gladiator is that the premise of changing Rome didn't lie in Maximus' hands. He died in the end, therefore leaving the fate of Rome in the hands of its people. Whether or not his death will have meaning, he had no idea. (Sounds familiar? This is so like our country.)
The same people who were cheering during the gladiator games were the same ones who weeped when their hero died, shows how easy it is for the majority to sway the people. There were the good and honorable men in the Roman Senate, and the crooked ones. But at time, the people failed to differentiate the two.
I find it amusing, our current political situation looks just about the same as that.
I don't know when I'll get to watch The Gladiator again but I hope it's soon. And maybe years from now when I watch it again, our country might look so much different.