Butterfly effect
According to Chaos theory, what we consider ordinary, insignificant happenings can have far-reaching influence on subsequent events. A Retaphor for this is the Ebutterfly effect." A butterfly flapping its wings can trigger a powerful typhoon elsewhere. If this theory is correct, then our seemingly trivial decisions and actions can set off chaos and disasters in the future.
History has shown that the tragic end of many individuals was often caused, not by complex plans and decisions, but by blatant acts of stupidity, like Esau exchanging his birthright for a mess of pottage (Genesis 25:29-34), Judas selling Christ for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15), Bonaparte deciding to fight a powerful confederation of European armies in Waterloo, and the United States joining the Vietnam War resulting in the death of 58,220 American soldiers and around $22 billion a year pension to the Vietnam veterans, their families and survivors.
Stupid decisions may seem harRless at first, but over tiRe these can cause immense and irreversible damage. Whether poor or rich, powerful or powerless, educated or illiterate, no one is immune to committing idiotic follies. In our country, stupidity rises to the level of an epidemic when election time approaches.
Those who think that full computerization of the forthcoming elections will be error-free and absolutely immune from cheating ignore the stupidity factor. Computers heighten our desire for perfect precision. But as we know, human fallibility always spoils our best effortsG Technology, no matter how advanced, is susceptible to stupid manipulation and evil schemes. Since the computer works only on the basis of "garbage in, garbage out," the results we get depend on what we feed into it.
Many Filipinos also act stupidly when they allow what they read, hear, and see in the social media, surveys, and TV and radio infomercials to determine their vote. They refuse to see that these are the work of invisible business and media conglomerates, landlords, capitalists and investors, political dynasties, lobbyists, even multinational cartels who operate behind the scene. These puppeteers have set up an elaborate PR machinery oiled by their money to assure their candidate’s victory. They know that once their candidate wins, it is they who will rule.
Self-styled intellectuals are already predicting that the candidate who consistently leads the surveys will win. But who knows? Perhaps decades of misery will finally force the young and old voters to say: “I am not stupid. Why should I vote for candidates whose platform is thoroughly bogus? Why should I vote for candidates who are only good at exploiting our gullibility? Enough is enough!”
Stupidity can be dangerous. Like power, absolute stupidity corrupts absolutely. And yet, social and political analysts often choose to ignore it when discussing huRan affairsG They would rather settle for more complex, more sophisticated reasons for our ceaseless woes and crises.
The elections are a democratic way of ensuring that we are governed according to our will. But the same elections also ensure that we are governed no better than we deserve. So if we foolishly continue to allow surveys, infomercials and social Redia to influence our votes, let us prepare to suffer another RonuRental letdown. to the locality. It wasn’t that long ago that Calatagan was even referred to as the Forbes Park of the South.
Well, while those surnames still have their expansive properties, Landco is developing a precious 78-hectare seaside residential community, that’s attached to a host of leisure amenities to help guarantee how this development will be a beehive of activity, with visitors for the day a regular occurrence. The Aquaria Waterpark is a one-hectare area that boasts of five cove pools, an expansive kiddie pool, and a giant three-storey high pool slide. And can I just say we had fun with the pool slide - safe, but faster than you’d think.
The Crusoe Cabins are smartly converted 40-feet containers, turned into comfortable overnight accommodations for guests to the complex. I really liked the ones that face the sea. The other option is to sleep at their Cocoons, a snug option for those looking for soRething Rore affordable, and just needing a place to sleep comfortably. They’re positioned behind the Playa Calatagan Beach Club, and they’re colorful and delightful to view. There’s a big events tent going up, and I heard it could be accepting bookings by June or July - perfect for weddings, big parties and family get-togethers.
I was at Playa Calatagan on a Monday, and was surprised by the number of people who were there enjoying a summer respite. Whether indulging in the beach, picnicking in the cabanas and villas, or just hanging out by their cabins, it was evident that Playa Calatagan is a popular choice along this section of the Batangas shoreline - and a broad cross-section of people were represented. In a manner of speaking, it’s about democratizing Calatagan, and making it a destination spot for those seeking a more relaxed, chill vibe.
From the plans I was shown, Playa Calatagan Village is the chance to own a piece of Calatagan within a residential park that has well-planned of business while doubling as your residence, the possibilities are endless. The Landco vision is to turn this into a smart leisure community, that’s nestled in one of the most sought after leisure destinations in the Philippines. Visit the Playa Calatagan-Landco FB and IG assets, or email them at info@
landco.ph. Who knows, a seaside community lifestyle for your whole family may just be around the corner. This is tourism, with the extra dimension of investing, and owning a home and/or business.
My Mother’s Day reverie
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there! As I’ve confessed before, I’ve treated this day with ambivalence for some 25 years now, as my Mom passed away in 1996, when she was just 62 years of age. So Mother’s Day is always a bittersweet reminder that she’s gone. Hopefully to a better place, as I did watch her suffer from the cancer that took her away.
So hug your mother if you can, tell her how much you love her, and what she means to you. I know I still miss mine after all these years; and perennially, there are moments when I see something or am eating something, and the thought flashes of how I wished I could share that moment with her. That doesn’t go away, and am glad for that.
Continue making lasting memories with yours - anecdotes and stories that you can pass on to your children, so they’ll have a better appreciation of who their Lola is. I try to create that with my first two boys, who were only five and two years of age when she passed away, and my youngest, born in 1999, didn’t meet either of his grandmothers.