“Genius has no country, genius burst forth everywhere and genius is like light and air – the patrimony
of all”. … Jose Rizal

Spoliarium is the masterpiece that won gold medal in the 1884 National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain. The silver medal award went to another Filipino, Felix Ressureccion Hidalgo. Because of the unprecedented significance of the event where two Filipino painters were awarded medals and accolades there is every reason to celebrate. And rightfully, a celebration was called for the gathering of Filipino patriots and propagandists with the presence of invited guests mostly, Spanish liberals and members of the Freemasonry who showed support and sympathy to the Philippine Reform Movement. Dr. Jose Rizal was there to deliver such an important and memorable speech saying that: “Genius has no country, genius burst forth everywhere and genius is like light and air – the patrimony of all”

Vigor and realism are the words to describe Luna’s painting style characterized by drama and bravura, that one can easily trace artistic influences of Michelangelo and Rafael. He acknowledged having been influenced by Rembrandt, Delacroix and Daumier, Impressionist masters.

Juan Luna is more than an Ilocano icon and legendary painter. If Rizal can interpret the agony of his oppressed countrymen with his pen, the genius in Juan Luna lies with the bold strokes of the brush and palette. Take a look at the painting and see the people in the background. Sullen and sad faces of weeping mothers and relatives waiting to recover and bring home the dead corpses of fallen combatants in a gladiatorial fight tell the story of tragedy and misfortunes. To Luna, the scenario mirrors the on-going happenings of his countrymen under the Spanish colonial masters.

A combination of natural talent, studies in art and apprenticeship in Rome with known disciples of Renaissance art and having immersed himself in ancient history, provide a complete arsenal of knowledge and skills to evoke realism, drama and tragedy of his theme. It was no surprised that the Madrilenos and aficionados were awed and amazed when Spoliarium was adjudged first prizewinner in the 1887 fine art exposition. His studio in Paris was a drop-in center of the Filipinos. When Buffalo Bill and his Traveling troupe staged live performance of real Indians and Cowboys, it made headlines and “Indian” became a household word too. And because of this popular American extravaganza that delighted French and Europeans, the Filipinos organized themselves a fraternal club they named “Los Indios Bravos”.

Juan Luna and Jose Rizal are two gifted Filipinos whose patriotism is beyond question, each one doing his share for the motherland. Rizal knew the Lunas very well. In fact, Antonio Luna, Juan’s brother, one time, challenged Rizal to duel out of jealousy regarding a woman Antonio was courting but the duel was not carried out and was amicably settled.

When “BLOOD COMPACT” (Pacto de Sangre) was painted, all that Luna did was to invite his brother-in-law, Trinidad Pardo de Tavera and Jose Rizal. His keen imagination, creativity and resourcefulness figured much in the completion of one of the best among Luna’s masterpieces, an interpretation of pre-Spanish Filipino meaning of “gentleman’s agreement of sincere and lasting friendship sealed with blood letting and drinking ritual. He invited Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera because of his Castillan features a made-to-order selection to pose as Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Conquistador and Adelantado. By his strong physical appearance and distinctly Malay, Dr Rizal was a perfect match to impersonate Sikatuna, the Chieftain from Bohol. You have to see this painting before going to Bohol to enjoy and participate in ‘Sanduguan’ festival.

The shifting fortunes in life did not spare this proud Ilocano. Tragedy fell in 1893 as his marriage to Paz Pardo de Tavera broke up. He was accused of killing his wife and mother-in-law in a fit of jealousy, but the French court acquitted Juan Luna of parricide and murder. Some sources say that Luna’s immense popularity to art connoisseur in France and Europe could have something to do to influence the court decision based on letters of support and sympathy that flooded the French government calling for clemency. It was also reported that Luna only paid small fees as token for court administrative services.

To find peace in the aftermath of a broken marriage, Juan Luna moved to Madrid with his son. While visiting the Philippines in the late 1896 he was arrested for complicity as member of the Katipunan. Again luck was on his side in 1897 as he was able to secure his freedom and safe passage to return to Europe, but this time, it has nothing to do with his celebrity status, the e Spanish King Alfonso XIII, who granted royal pardon happened to be celebrating his birthday!.

Apolinario Mabini, brain of the Philippine Revolution was suspicious of the American promise for an independent Philippines.He advised Aguinaldo to send a delegation to participate in the Treaty of Paris in order to protect the interest of the Philippines and to drum up support for the recognition of the first Philippine Republic proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite. As patriot, Juan Luna readily accepted the appointment as delegate headed by Filipe Agoncillo, the husband of Marcela Agonicillo known for designing the present Philippine flag.

Unfortunately, Luna was not able to work effectively because of the bad news coming from the Philippines. Upon learning the untimely death of his brother General Antonio Luna in Cabanatuan City, he hurried to return to the Philippines but succumbed to a heart attack upon his arrival in Hong Kong on December 1899, the last leg journey home.

The genius from Badoc, Ilocos Norte who brought pride and honor to his countrymen and served his motherland admirably was buried in Hongkong. In 1920 his remains were exhumed and transferred to the Crypt Chapel of San Agustin Church in Manila.

At last, this “tangsit ti Ilocandia” and talented “annak ti amianan” found his final resting place in the pantheon of heroes with men and women of the Revolution. The grateful nation assigned November 30, a national holiday in their honor.

FACT AND FICTION The Final Words

With keen interest listening to a local storyteller, I was told that Juan Luna painted on a canvass, a flower so beautifully displayed outside to attract attention so “real” that the bees, butterflies and birds were fooled banging their heads, beaks and needles in search for nectar and seed.

In the early 1900s, a convention of provincial governors was held in Manila. In this gathering, Joaquin Luna, another Luna sibling represented Mountain Province as its governor. The occasion brought face-to-face confrontation between a Luna brother and Emilio Agauinaldo. According to hearsay reports Joaquin was boiling mad the moment he laid his eyes on the man many perceived to be behind the treachery and assassination of General Antonio Luna and the Katipunan founder Supremo Andres Bonifacio.

He was about to lay his hands on the Magdalo honcho and first president of the Malolos Republic shouting, “You killed my brother! You killed my brother! Cooler heads intervened and prevented the incident. This confrontasi traced its beginning as an offshoot of an ongoing rivalry between Antonio Luna and Emilio Aguinaldo over leadership issue. Poor Emilio, he was blame for the death of his compatriots Bonifacio and Luna and was deprived or forfeited building monumentsin his honor even in his turf in Cavite. History has not given her final verdict of Aguinaldo’s alleged complicity. Innuendos and suspicions make our history intriguing if not full of suspense and drama. We need more research for data and historical facts not just conjectures.

If you are having difficulty remembering the face of Juan Luna, a glimpse of his brother, Antonio, or a quick look at the picture of Marcelo del Pilar, editor of LA SOLIDARIDAD, a glance at the portrait of one-time president of Poland, Lech Walesa will do. Incidentally the founder of Poland’s labor union party SOLIDARISC was responsible in toppling down Russia and the Communist Party. What these men have in common is their SOLIDARITY or La Solidaridad by sporting “handle bar” moustache, that still finds its popularity even today among the “die-hards” in whisker management.


About the author, Jose Sison Luzadas:

Luzadas took journalism course under Prof Armando Malay, one-time Manila Times editor when he was taking undergraduate studies in UP Diliman in 1959 with history as major field. He fisnished his MPA in the same university.

When Luzadas settled in Toronto, CANADA, he earned a Bachelor of Education degree in 1973 at the University of Toronto thru the Government of Ontario grant.

Since the time he moved to Florida in 2000, Luzadas continued from time to time writing short articles primarily to friends and email groups.