Written on May 10, 2023, Huni Sicogon Tonight, I saw so many stars my neck hurt from looking up. The last time I found the night sky twinkling like crazy was in Siquijor, nine years ago, on an anniversary trip with my now ex-husband. It was so long ago, I realize now, like so many things. On this starry night in Sicogon, I was taking a quiet walk on the beach and relishing the joys of solitude when a voice broke the silence with a passionate rendition of Ella Mae Saison’s “Till my heartaches end,” a staple in every videoke bar in the Philippines. Who the hell would sing that here?! And I laughed. How very Pinoy this is. Away on an island, you think you’re free from the neighborhood videoke queens and kings, but here they are. I remember the last time I sang my heart out in a remote videoke setup: I was again with my ex, shuttled off to another island in the middle of the Sulu Sea for an exclusive travel …