Let’s drink to the bureaucrats and drink to the Pope

And drink to the fixers who bless us all with hope.

Got a meeting at three at the Hotel Manila

Better have another drink ‘cause the Jeepney ride’s a killa’.

Let’s drink to our friends and drink to the rain

We should have another drink ‘cause the meeting’s changed again.

While it didn’t take the rain to make my shirt start to drip

The typhoon’s a nice touch to help mark the trip.

Have a plate of squid in their own black ink

Sliced and marinating - fresh from the sink

A plate of monsoon city soaking in its own shadows

Tell me who stays dry when the deals go down?

Everything’s a gamble-trade up.

Everything’s a gamble-trade up.

Everything’s a gamble-trade up.

Everything’s a gamble-trade up.

Everything’s a gamble-trade up.

When the need exceeds

What the law allows

Play between the rules

Sleep where you fit-squat roadside strips

Steer where you can-as chance permits

If the government’s broke

Where do you look for hope?

Bahalana!