More luck in the Philippines
Jan 13, 2012 (Menafn - The Manila Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --The Mandarin Oriental Manila's Master Joseph Chau says good fortune awaits the country in the Year of the Water Dragon
While The Manila Times reported in Thursday's news section that President Benigno Aquino 3rd's leadership could face many challenges in the Chinese New Year--owing to the unlucky position of his office in Malacanang Palace--it seems likely that he will overcome most of the obstacles to come his way in the Year of the Water Dragon. And he has the country's Independence Day to thank for it.
According to revered geomancer Master Joseph Chau, based on the date and time of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898 at 3:30 p.m., good fortune awaits the nation when the Chinese Lunar Year begins on January 23 at 12:01 a.m.
"There are many elements of Fire and Water for your country, and while many say these will bring natural calamities, positive thinking will tell you these two elements are in harmony," he explained on Wednesday at The Mandarin Oriental Manila, where he has annually led the Chinese New Year festivities since 2001. "But in case of a big fire, we need water right? Fire and water can also be in harmony, which means the Philippines will have good luck in 2012."
Further elaborating on his forecast, the Hong Kong-based Feng Shui expert imparted that the Year of the Water Dragon also signals "the year of change," which gives everyone--nations included--the opportunity to progress. Citing tourism as one of the auspicious industries in 2012, he believes the Philippines can bloom as a prime destination in Asia, especially with the decline of visitors in Japan and Thailand.
"Radiation continues to be a threat in Japan, while Thailand is still suffering from all the flooding," Chau enumerated. "As for Hong Kong, our people are easy to forget," he tipped off, obviously referring to the infamous Quirino Grandstand hostage-taking crisis in 2010.
Nonetheless, the same elements of Fire and Water can still bring natural disasters, so he urges the government to make sure that preventive measures are in place all year round.
"There will be more flooding, raining, earthquakes and more explosions in the Philippines and South East Asia, especially in the months of April, October, and January 2013," Chau warned.
Meanwhile, the economic situation will continue to fluctuate, which is why he advises businessmen to be flexible in their dealings.
"They should know when to advance and when to retreat," he recommended. "If they just go in one direction--backward or forward--they will not succeed."
A stubborn attitude, therefore, will not fare well in the "Year of Change," and instead, everyone should be flexible in order to adjust to new situations.
"People must think before they act," Chau cautioned.
Master Chau's highly anticipated book of 2012 forecast will exclusively be available to ticketholders of The Mandarin Oriental Manila's Chinese New Year festivities on January 22, the eve of the Year of the Water Dragon (see sidebar).
The Manila Times, however, has secured permission to publish parts of the book, which detail forecasts for the different Chinese Zodiacs, and will be printed in a special Chinese New Year supplement on January 20.
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