I FOUND myself singing along to "My Way" in a bar with former president Duterte and his former Cabinet members last Wednesday, November 9, at Bistro RJ. The irony is not lost on me. The provocative, feared, vilified, and still very popular former president of the Philippines sang "My Way" in a dark bar. "My Way" is a song that has caused many brawls and shootings in local karaoke bars. In the Philippines, singing this off tune or heckling at anyone slightly off tune could lead to your death. Not an urban legend, check PNP records.

It was a small get-together organized by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea. The invitation said "The Night of the Singing Ex-Cabinet." I was there as a guest of the former Tourism secretary, now deputy governor of the central bank, Berna Romulo-Puyat. What I assumed to be a small private karaoke get-together, turned out to be a mini-concert with a rock band broadcast live on RJ TV and Facebook. Each Cabinet member was given five slots for their personal guests. The rest in the bistro were regulars.

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