A recent editorial of another paper on foreign relations between China and the United State suggested Marcos Jr.'s "policy errors" in getting too close to China and or the US. "May he not squander this chance," the editorial added.

This "chance" may be slim. It is not that easy to balance foreign policy. It is a tightrope walk between two superpowers. When conflict heightens, say in a possible dangerous naval confrontation in the West Philippine Sea, both China and the US will force us to their sides. They will say, "You're either for me or against." It may be almost impossible to align with both. That is the nature of a looming proxy war.

The prospect of true neutrality is almost impossible, especially if we have given concessions to one or the other, conflicting ones at that. Ukraine can no longer be neutral because the current regime leans heavily on US-NATO and EU. A regime change to a truly strong neutral leader may work but that is far-fetched because both sides will try to destroy that leadership. It is the same in the Philippines. We are in an age of powerful proxies.

Greed factor

Many financial analysts are issuing warnings of a dollar crisis that may induce a global recession, then a global depression, a looming housing super-bubble in the US, a Bitcoin bubble, etc. But no one is listening. Everyone is taking the frenzied bull-market bandwagon. People are blind to a possible financial disaster of unknown proportions. Ted Sazon, Elliott wave theorist, says the bull market started in 1982 and is soaring to the stratosphere until now. He predicts a sudden plunge.

Markets become bullish because of the mindset of many that it will rise again after a short plunge. But an empty rise not supported by real gains is an "illusion," a catalyst to a sudden long-term drop. This is the greed factor being generated by blind minds and infecting the planet.

Will the US chip war versus China boomerang?

The Netherlands and Japan are selling chip-making machines to China, defying a US ban on such exports. The US is sending a lobby team to the Netherlands, but the Dutch most likely will not budge.

"It is important that we defend our own interests — our national safety, but also our economic interests," Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher said on 23 November at the Dutch parliament. Japanese firms are "sick and tired of the decoupling with China imposed by the US," Nikkei Asia chief editor Shigesaburo Okumara reported from the Trilateral Commission meeting in Tokyo last weekend.