Uncertainty
The Philippine Star|December 12, 2024
VIRTUAL REALITY
TONY LOPEZ
Uncertainty

The Philippines and the world are in the grip of uncertainty not felt in the last half century. Major wars have erupted or will yet erupt.

The escalated Ukraine-Russia war, began Feb. 24, 2022, is now on its third year. It is the largest and deadliest ground war since World War II, with half a million Russian soldiers and 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers, as casualties, per Donald Trump's estimates. The Israel-Hamas war, began Oct. 7, 2023, has not seen the worst of it and instead engulfed the entire Middle East.

Tension is rising in the West Philippine Sea as China intensifies its island-grabbing spree and deploys more fully armed ships in the 3.5 million sq kms of the world's most strategic waters today.

Fear is growing that China will finally make good its plan to invade Taiwan and teach its long-claimed province a lesson on who is boss and owner, earlier than the planned 2027 target launch. An invasion could finally trigger a nuclear war in true MAD fashion. MAD means mutually assured destruction, the doctrine that assumes a nuke war won't happen because it has no winners, just losers.

Today, madmen are ascendant in major countries and they rule with overwhelming mandates. In 2024, 80 countries, half of the world's population, held an election, from America to Russia to Venezuela, down to Indonesia, Pakistan and India. And the winners were, to say the least, problematic.

The Economist magazine doubts the possibility of China invading Taiwan, citing persistent corruption in the People's Liberation Army. Corruption, however, never stops war. Proof is the Ukraine-Russia war, participated in by two of the world's most corrupt armies.

This story is from the December 12, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 12, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINE STARView All
SOFRONIO VASQUEZ'S PASSION AND DETERMINATION LEAD TO HISTORIC 'THE VOICE USA' VICTORY
The Philippine Star

SOFRONIO VASQUEZ'S PASSION AND DETERMINATION LEAD TO HISTORIC 'THE VOICE USA' VICTORY

DREAMS DO COME TRUE. However, there's a caveat or condition for one to make it happen.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 12, 2024
OPM icons take pride in Sofronio Vasquez's big win
The Philippine Star

OPM icons take pride in Sofronio Vasquez's big win

Sofronio Vasquez became the first-ever Filipino and Asian to win the hit US talent search \"The Voice USA.\"

time-read
4 mins  |
December 12, 2024
Ricky Lee: Direk Ishmael Bernal will be happy and amused with 'Isang Himala'
The Philippine Star

Ricky Lee: Direk Ishmael Bernal will be happy and amused with 'Isang Himala'

Essaying the role of Elsa, the barrio lass who witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary that changed her life in director Ishmael Bernal's \"Himala\" (1982), is a huge challenge for any actress who will portray it, especially since it was originated by Nora Aunor.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 12, 2024
ATE VI AS A GATECRASHER AND HER DREAM GUEST LIST
The Philippine Star

ATE VI AS A GATECRASHER AND HER DREAM GUEST LIST

After six decades (and counting) in the biz, Vilma Santos practices quality control in the movies she puts her full emotional investment into.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 12, 2024
All the Light Rail we can see
The Philippine Star

All the Light Rail we can see

The Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project will increase the total number of LRT-1 stations from 20 to 28, covering several major cities including Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque, all the way to Bacoor, Cavite.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 12, 2024
RUPERT JACINTO'S 'FAAABULOUS XII' GALA NIGHT
The Philippine Star

RUPERT JACINTO'S 'FAAABULOUS XII' GALA NIGHT

Rupert Jacinto's \"Faaabulous XII,\" a photo exhibit, book launch and fabulousity gala night, was held recently at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
Lunches with Cedie
The Philippine Star

Lunches with Cedie

It was November of 1986, and Mom and I had gotten home from an extended trip visiting relatives in the States.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

NGCP's P2.6-B Capas project gets ERC nod

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has given the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) the green light to develop a P2.59-billion transmission project in Capas, Tarlac.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

Easing inflation, policy rates to support residential market

Softer inflation and lower policy rates would be favorable for the residential market, according to a professional services and investment management company.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

Visa simplifies money transfers for OFWs, SMEs

Global payments platform Visa is strengthening its commitment to simplifying and securing digital money transfers for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), digital workers, and small and medium enterprises (SME) owners especially this holiday season when remittances peak.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 12, 2024