One of the most popular songs during karaoke sessions in the Philippines has led to another fatal altercation.
Unlike most of the reported “My Way” killings in the past, wherein the victim was killed after singing out of tune, the victim, identified as Jose Bosmion, Jr., 61 years old, had not been given the chance to belt out the Frank Sinatra song.
The 28-year-old suspect, named Rolando Cañeso, prevented him from singing My Way during a birthday party. The incident ensued into a fist fight.
According to GMA News, the guests were able to pull them away. However, just when everyone thought that the fight was over, the suspect got back at the victim and stabbed him.
Bosmion was declared dead on arrival at the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center.
The so-called “My Way” killing in the Philippines has made headlines worldwide. In 2010, it grabbed the attention of The New York Times.
The news daily described the song to be very popular in the country that everyone has an opinion about anyone’s rendition of it, which often provokes a brawl.
Quoted in the report was Butch Albarracin, the owner of Center for Pop, a Manila-based singing school that has propelled the careers of many famous singers.
He said: “ ‘I did it my way’ — it’s so arrogant,” adding that, “The lyrics evoke feelings of pride and arrogance in the singer, as if you’re somebody when you’re really nobody. It covers up your failures. That’s why it leads to fights.”
The report also revealed that more than one million illegal guns are overflowing in the Philippines, making such crimes possible everywhere.
In March, a bill that seeks 10 p.m. curfew on karaoke sessions was reviewed by a House of Representatives committee to prevent the spate killings and tiffs over karaoke.
Amid fear of violence, various bars and restaurants in the country removed the song in their playlists.
