Through Foreign Eyes

This May 14, millions of my countrymen will once again troop the polling stations to cast their votes for the legislative and local elections. In a country where elections are often smeared by fraud and money politics, I cannot help but worry of another disorderly election day, full of political drama. Even as of this writing, the drama has already begun.

The last time I voted, I chose the lesser evil. Frankly speaking, I saw no one capable of running the government. I never believed the campaign vows, from one aspirant who promised to readily uplift the lives of the Filipino people; to another, who said that every child would enjoy good education. The administration party boasted well-developed social welfare programs. The opposition claimed the best pro-poor agenda. OK, leave me alone!

"I'm so tired of being here. Suppressed by all my childish fears. And if you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave. 'Cause your presence still lingers here. And it won't leave me alone."

I am so tired of my country's constant politicking. I am dog tired of reading tales of mockery that no one ever loses in a Philippine election - because either one won the election or was cheated. Most of the time, I dream that the scalawags would just all leave their offices and surrender the posts to whomever is deserving of the people's trust. Their lingering presence makes me puke.

"These wounds won't seem to heal. This pain is just too real. There's just too much that time cannot erase."

A number of these politicians have already wreaked havoc to the country's stability and therefore must stop. Why would they continue to fool and play mischief with the poverty-stricken, uneducated majority? Quick thought: They have vested interests. The wounds inflicted are awfully painful (declining education quality, millions of jobless citizens, etc.) that time cannot erase.

"You used to captivate me by your resonating life."

These hungry-for-votes office seekers captivate the masses through the facade of a genius who has rounded up enough academic achievements and previous political posts. However, beneath the mask they wear in public are false hopes and broken pledges.

"Now I'm bound by the life you've left behind. Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams."

Thus, what kind of life will be ahead for the Filipinos? With the campaign now in full force for the coming voting, it scares the heavens out me to see the same faces continually propagating a massive deception. While their faces smile in assurance of a sweet victory, the hungry faces to the contrary could only hope for food provision on their tables and the fulfillment of the promises of rescue.

"Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me."

As the campaign now taps the popular video-sharing YouTube, their mouths cackle in perpetuity like a perfectly memorized hundred-page oration. I never liked the sound of their voice-they sound like irritating chipmunks. This type of flesh-pressers is definitely making me insane to the max. Sigh deepest. Unless these politicians lose in the May election, the Philippines and its people will forever be in between Scylla and Charybdis, or between the devil and the deep blue sea.

If you change keys without warning, why wasn’t there anyone at the front desk to attend to those who, unfortunately, weren’t able to read your note that was posted very late? Shouldn’t there be someone that would at least man the desk overnight?

I want an explanation for this. I also would like to file a COMPLAINT for this treatment. Because honestly, I cannot sleep in this STUPID little chair!!!!

I am writing this because I know I have the right since I paid full for my room for four months. All I need is a good management and a proper dissemination of information.

I would like to apologize for the situation that you encountered. The lock change was necessitated by situations out of my control. The warning signs were posted all day, and the doors were not locked until 11pm. The desk was staffed until 3am, however I do not have staff present this weekend to staff the desk further. The desk hours for Saturday are Noon to 3am, and Sunday from 3pm to midnight. If you are not able to make it to the front desk during these hours because of your work schedule, please feel free to contact me on my cell phone at 605-690-9032 and I would be more than happy to arrange a time that is convenient for you to exchange your old security key for a new one. I am also working with my staff today to change all of the signs to contain more information to clearly explain how to contact someone after hours to get a new key. There is a procedure in place, and I apologize that it was not clear to you how to access staff after the desk closed. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact me via email or phone, or to set up an appointment with me through the front desk.

The reason is commendable since it involves securing the hall for a possible intruder that might ransack the rooms. Nonetheless, in an emergency like this, all possible options must be exhausted and thought of so as not to endanger the residents indirectly. The solution must not become an additional problem.

The problem I saw was the failure to post on ALL door entrances the information of whom to contact to when locked out. Had I seen a post, I would have dialed the number and asked for help.

I ended by saying, "this is the worst experience I had and I am sure I cannot forget – very tormenting, emotionally and physically!