Tito Sotto thankful after Ely Buendia debunks ‘Spoliarium’ allegation
(From left) Eraserheads, Vic Sotto, Tito Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Pepsi Paloma. Images: DVENT Pictures, WEU, and Warner Bros. Pictures, Facebook/TVJ, FILE PHOTO
TV host and politician Tito Sotto expressed his gratitude after Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia reiterated that the song “Spoliarium” is not at all about the comedy trio TVJ (Tito and Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon) and the late sexy star Pepsi Paloma.
“Oh, thank you so much!” said Sotto during the recent Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial press conference when asked how he felt after Buendia referred to TVJ as the band’s “heroes.”
Sotto emphasized that he felt the same as he also believes that Eraserheads is among the heroes of the music industry.
“Si Ely? Yeah, yeah, we love his music. We support his music, and ‘yung grupo nila noon. Pero sila ang mga bagong heroes ng entertainment industry, especially the music industry. Sila naman ‘yun. And the feeling is mutual,” expressed the politician.
Buendia then again found himself emphasizing that Eraserheads’ “Spoliarium” is not about the hosting trio after the controversy gained traction anew following the release of Darryl Yap’s “The Rapist of Pepsi Paloma” trailer, which included a controversial scene alleging that Vic Sotto was the young actress’ rapist.
“Let’s just get it out there. ‘Spoliarium,’ right? It’s not about TVJ. It’s not about Vic Sotto and the ‘rape.’ It is a sad thing. I was really heartbroken when that thing came out because I was such a huge fan [of TVJ],” Buendia said at the press conference for Eraserheads’ docufilm “Combo on the Run” on Feb. 17.
“They were my heroes and I wouldn’t dream of writing a song to tarnish my heroes. I think that’s the most ridiculous [claim]. I will maintain that it’s not about them. It’s not about Pepsi [Paloma],” the vocalist added.
Buendia had previously denied that the song was about Paloma and TVJ on “Wake Up with Jim & Saab” podcast in March 2021, as he explained that it was about him and his bandmates getting “pissed drunk.”
At the time, Buendia also underscored that mention of “Enteng and Joey” in the lyrics of “Spoliarium” was a reference to the band’s road managers and not Vic Sotto and de Leon.
Eraserheads, who rose to fame in the late ’80s to early ’90s, were behind the hits “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” “With a Smile,” “Ligaya,” “Pare Ko,” “Magasin” and “Spoliarium.”
