Luck for Aquino, disasters for PHL– feng shui expert

Master Joseph Chau, resident feng shui expert of the Mandarin Oriental Manila.

THE Year of the Water Dragon, which starts on January 23 will bring general luck and prosperity to the Philippines but because of a Disaster Star in the southeast where the country is located, it must be prepared for natural disasters during the year.

In a recent press briefing to announce the Chinese New Year festivities at the Mandarin Oriental Manila, its resident feng shui expert, Joseph Chau gave a preview of his forecasts for the coming year.

“The birthday of the Philippines is June 12, 1898, at 3:30 p.m. So the Philippines was born in an Earth Dog year, the month of the Earth Horse, the day of the Fire Horse and the time of the Fire Monkey. There are so many fire elements in the Philippines. In the Year of the Water Dragon, there will be an abundance of water. But what happens when abundant water and too much fire get together? They fight each other. But on the positive side, there is harmony because you need water to extinguish fire. So that means the Philippines will have good luck in 2012.”

The economy would face some challenges this year, he said, “fluctuating from time to time,” so businessmen are advised not to be “too stubborn” and to be “flexible in their work.”

The lucky businesses to engage in this year include lumber, fashion and garments, and publishing because all of these are ruled by earth elements.

“For the earth ventures to grow, you need water, isn’t it?” Chau said.

Lucky and unlucky directions this year. (Image courtesy Mandarin Oriental Manila)

He said banking, the production of raw materials and mining “will face many challenges this year,” with the real-estate industry and the construction business slowing down.

“If President Aquino wants to push the mining business, he must organize [the regulations] well so he can attract good business. For real estate, if the property companies want to be able to sell their buildings, they must consult a licensed feng shui expert before constructing,” he added.

He also said that for the banking industry to expand, banks should adopt longer hours like in Hong Kong, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“If you are a businessman, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is too short a time to complete your business, especially if you’re coming from abroad, and your flight comes in the afternoon.”

What Chau was most excited about, though, was the tourism industry. He said the sector would prosper if the country were promoted well.

Lucky New Year platter at the the Mandarin Oriental Chinese New Year feast. Photo courtesy MOM.

On the heels of the newly launched tourism campaign of the country, the feng shui expert, who is a resident of Hong Kong, even declared “Chinese New Year is more fun in the Philippines!”

He said, “tourism is a water element, and can cool down the fire in the country’s sign. So President Aquino should tell the tourism secretary to do more promotions to encourage tourists to come.”

He suggested that the Philippines do away with visa requirements altogether.

President Aquino, having been born in the Year of the Golden Rat (1960), also has a lot of fire elements, and would need the water in the coming Dragon Year to “cool down. This will help him bring money luck to the country,” Chau said.

But he underscored the possibility of more rains, floods, earthquakes and “explosions” in the Philippines, especially in the southeast location, because of the presence of the Disaster Star in the southeast quadrant.

“These may happen in the months of April, October and January 2013. So I hope the government can prepare for these, and prevent them when possible. They must make adjustments to avoid flooding.”


Chau's forecast for those born in the Year of the Rat like President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Most of the zodiac signs are lucky in the Year of the Water Dragon, except for those born in the years of the Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012); Dog (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006); Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009); Goat (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991); and Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011).

The lucky colors of the year are gold, silver, white, sky blue, green, red, pink, violet, peach, orange, beige, yellow and brown.

The Chinese New Year festivities at the Mandarin Oriental Manila are among the most anticipated in the metropolis, outside of those in the Chinatown area in Binondo, Manila. They regularly attended by Vice President Jejomar Binay and his spouse, Dr. Elenita Binay, as well as business executives who work or reside in Makati.

(My piece was originally published on January 13, 2012 in the BusinessMirror. I own the copyright for the photos and video on this blog, except where otherwise indicated.)

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Here are the rest of Master Chau's forecasts for the different animal signs in the year of the Water Dragon (courtesy Mandarin Oriental Manila):

Your Chinese zodiac sign in 2012 (Year of the Water Dragon)

Or click here.

Finding love in the Year of the Water Dragon

(Feng shui expert Marites Allen gave a preview of her 2012 predictions during a recent press briefing at Manila Hotel. On January 22, 2012, the hotel will usher in the Year of the Water Dragon with a Chinese bazaar, fireworks, blessing ritual by Allen, and an exquisite midnight feast at the Mabuhay Palace. The dishes will symbolize luck, longevity and wealth in the coming year. Copyright Stella Arnaldo)

EVERYONE’S still talking about the bombshell that showbiz princess KC Concepcion dropped last Sunday.

Well, I won’t dwell too much on it, since I don’t want to add any more to the noise. And as her mega-mom Sharon Cuneta did say, KC and Piolo are adults. In other words, KC knew exactly what she was getting into.

Of course, like many single, unattached women...KC’s desperate cry about wanting to find true love does tug at the heartstrings. But who, where and how to find it—that’s the big question.

Well, if you ask feng shui consultant Marites Allen about love, she can tell you that she is proof positive of how geomancy can help us single women find Mr. Right. After a failed first marriage back home in Cebu was annulled, Marites says she was able to activate her love life and attract many suitors with the help of feng shui.

She says she found her Prince Charming—an Englishman whose name she declines to reveal due to privacy issues—and married him. That is, “only after I carefully studied his chart!” Marites says she is very much happily married, with a wonderful family life with their four children. What’s more, she now has a great career as one of the country’s top feng shui consultants.

Marites, who is president of the World of Feng Shui Philippines, spoke to the media recently in a preview of Manila Hotel’s festivities to help usher in the Year of the Water Dragon on January 22, 2012.

So, of course I asked her: What can KC do to find that elusive “true love”? (KC, by the way, was born in 1985, the Year of the Ox.)

Marites says that KC’s “best match are those born in the Year of the Rat.” She cites the UK’s Prince Harry (Rat) and his girlfriend Chelsy Davy (Ox)—“they were having an on-and-off relationship but they seem to keep going back to each other.... So an Ox pairing with a person born in the year of the Rat is surely a very good start in finding the right one.”

Marites adds that KC’s best allies or friends are Snakes or Roosters.

But the feng shui expert counsels: “For a very pretty, intelligent and independent lady like KC, surely too many guys are already waiting for their turn to woo her heart. However, it is best for her to enjoy her singlehood and surely, when the time is right, she will find another love.”

Marites assures that love will come a-calling again, especially if “KC activates the southwest section of her bedroom with love charms such as peony flowers or double happiness symbols, such as the dragon and phoenix symbol, etc.”

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(Just some of the lucky charms and feng shui books available at Marites' World of Feng Shui shops in the metro.)

SPEAKING of Rats, guess who was born in that year, KC?

Well, it’s none other than President Noynoy Aquino, who was born in 1960.

Hmmm...KC and P-Noy? Well, why the hell not?! I think it could be a perfect match!

Both of them are smart, well-bred individuals.

They are currently loveless.

They both belong to respectable families with their feet dipped into politics and show business. So there would be an immediate understanding of each other’s priorities, background, and ways of thinking.

Okay, so there’s a 25-age gap. But maybe a more mature man (accent on the latter quality) is exactly what the young KC needs.

After all, this is a lady who virtually grew up without a strong male figure in her life. It was really her mom Sharon who was both mother and father to her, rearing KC as best as she could.

As for PNoy, he is no stranger to relationships with younger women. His ex-girlfriend Shalani Soledad is 20 years his junior—so what’s an additional five years in the case of KC?

And apparently, he is not intimidated by intelligent, outspoken women, having had relationships with Korina Sanchez, Bernadette Sembrano, Shalani, Liz Uy, Bunny Calica, etc. And KC is the same...articulate, well-read, and with just a touch of the right demureness. (She is actually like a slightly refined version of presidential sister Kris Aquino, don’t you think?)

But more important, KC and P-Noy have compatible Chinese zodiac signs! She’s and Ox. He’s a Rat. Who knows, it may just work!

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(Manila Hotel Executive Chinese Chef Sun Bing will be preparing a delectable feast for the Chinese New Year celebration at Mabuhay Palace, on Jan. 22, 2012. Photo courtesy Manila Hotel.)

KIDDING aside, Marites says the year 2012 brings a “general” risk of illness for those born in the Year of Rat, so the President should watch out. “It is a mixed year, so look after your health. Adjust to a less demanding schedule.”

She advises Rats in general to “focus on mentally-challenging activities, rather than doing the party scene.”

Marites adds that stress will bring tension to a Rat’s life, but his allies “are there to the rescue him.” A Rat’s best friends are Dragons and Monkeys.

To avoid falling ill, Marites advises Rats to acquire a Medicine Buddha Moving Mantra Watch “to create an aura of good health around you.” Also they should place a Brass Wu Lou in the Northern sector of the bedroom “as an antidote to the illness star.”

The year 2012 will be a generally favorable for those born in the year of the Tiger, Rabbit, Horse and Sheep, she says.

According to Marites, the Water Dragon’s power will help push dramatic changes in 2012. It may not mean the end of the world as the Mayan calendar supposedly indicated, but it will certainly be a “year of transformation.”

To indicate how momentous the transformation in 2012 would be, Marites recalled the previous Water Dragon years, the last one occurring in 1952. That year saw the passing of King George VI of the United Kingdom and assumption into office of his daughter Queen Elizabeth II. The first hydrogen bomb was detonated in 1952, ushering in the nuclear age. World War II also came to an official end with the Treaty of Peace signed between Japan and 48 countries aligned with the Allied powers coming into force.

She says although 2012 “will be better than 2011,” the Year of the Rabbit, “it does signify continuing disharmony, with conflicts between governments and social classes, and political and social unrest. There are to be key leadership changes; and social and industrial disputes are to escalate.” 2012 in an election year in the US, France, Russia and India, she points out.

Asked whether this meant a new President for the U.S. next year, Allen said: Yes, [US President Barack] Obama is an Ox (1961), and is slowly losing popularity with the yearly economic challenges in the U.S. So chances are, he may not make it to another term… unless he implements major changes more favorable to the U.S. economy.”

Marites will unveil her other 2012 predictions on January 22 at Manila Hotel’s Chinese New Year celebration. A Grand Chinese Bazaar will be held on the hotel premises featuring different stores selling lucky charms, house decorations and delectable Chinese delicacies.

While the fireworks light up the evening sky, hotel guests will dine on a feast prepared by Executive Chinese Chef Sun Bing at the Mabuhay Palace. The dishes will symbolize luck, longevity and wealth in the coming year.

Doomsday enthusiasts believe the world would end on December 21, 2012 because the calendar of the Mayans—a now-extinct indigenous civilization that once dwelled in Mexico—ends on that date. Well, I looked through Marites’s feng shui almanac for 2012 and it does include a 2013 calendar at the back. Whew!

(For ticket inquiries and reservations to Manila Hotel’s Chinese New Year celebration, call 527-0011 local 1108 or 1243.)

(My column, Something Like Life, is published almost every Friday, in the Life section of the BusinessMirror. This piece was originally published on Dec. 2, 2011. If you need to borrow the entries and photos on these pages, pls. cite your source. Thanks.)

The Year of the Metal Rabbit

Check out how your Chinese astrological sign will fare in the Year of the Metal Rabbit. Click hare (hehe).

Feng shui readings are courtesy of Joseph Chau, resident feng shui master/geomancer of the Mandarin Oriental, Manila.

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!!!

A good year for the Philippines and its businessmen

(The Year of the Metal Rabbit begins on Feb. 3, 2011. Photo from the Feng Shui Clinic)
THE year of the Metal Rabbit, which begins on February 3, will be a better year for Philippine business and the economy in general.

This is not surprising as most of the country’s leading business personalities are themselves fortunate this year, per the readings of Joseph Chau, resident geomancer/feng shui practitioner of the Mandarin Oriental Manila.

The luck is not limited to the country’s top chief executives but its political leaders, as well, such as President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay, and the Aquino administration’s officials overseeing the economy.

In a press conference on Monday, Chau said the dominant elements this year will be metal and wood, so the businesses that will be generally profitable this year are car-selling, banking and mining, especially in gold, while wood would connote garments, bookstores and the publishing industry.

Because the Philippines was born on June 12, 1898, (Aguinaldo’s Independence Day), that makes it an Earth Dog.

According to Chau, “Dogs are the most compatible zodiac sign of the Year of the Rabbit,” and as such, he sees the Philippine economy “going up” this year.

(The lucky ones - from left: Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, Erramon Aboitiz, Manuel Lopez, Teresita Sy-Coson. Illustrations from BusinessMirror.)

Other businesses that are good to invest in are in tourism such as hotels, the medical sector and agriculture—the latter, particularly, “will be prosperous in the next 10 years.”

Those working in the entertainment industry, especially those in films, will see their movies making money, as it is ruled by the metal element, as well.

He advises the tourism leaders to promote more Philippine culture, “which will attract more tourists.”

He added that an orderly transportation industry, where cab drivers, for instance, properly register their names, would boost the tourism sector, and travelers will find them more trustworthy.

The year of the Metal Rabbit bodes well for those born in the year of the Dog (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006), such as PLDT chairman and Meralco President Manuel V. Pangilinan and beer and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan.

Chau said the work of Dogs “will be comparatively going smooth. Businessmen will get the help of their benefactors. Financially, money luck is promising, especially in the second half of the year. Many opportunities are open for them or in partnership with others.”

(From left: Manuel V. Pangilinan, President Noynoy Aquino, Vice President Jojo Binay, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima)

This is also a fortunate year for those born in the Year of the Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996), such as President Aquino, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman and chief executive officer of the Ayala Corp.

“Everything tends to be more stable and smooth, especially because there are two lucky stars shining bright within the sign. Businessmen will have many opportunities for their business development or expansion. Financially, this is a fortunate year for Rats. They will have a steady income from different sources.”

However, Chau points to the relatively unlucky location of Malacañang and suggested that President Aquino put a water fountain in his office, if he doesn’t want to move his office to another location from the Premier Guest House. This would improve his luck and promote clarity in his decision-making.

If Purisima is lucky this year, perhaps leading the government to keep its budget deficit at decent levels, so is Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr., who is a Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000), which will hopefully mean a tame inflation and stable peso for the country.

“This is a successful year for Dragons,” said Chau. “However, they have to take preventive measures to avoid unexpected problems that might happen. They should make use of this year to carry out their new projects with great planning. Financially, Dragons will have better luck in money affairs and it is promising.”

Asked about the President’s prospects in terms of love, the master geomancer advises him to look for a woman “who was born in winter—November and December.” The most compatible sign for a mate for him would be a woman born in the Year of the Pig (1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995). Pigs are described as honest creatures, gallant, sturdy, sociable, peace-loving, patient, loyal, hard-working, etc., and is one of the luckiest signs in 2011.

(From left: Ramon S. Ang, Lance Gokongwei, Lucio Tan, BSP Gov. Say Tetangco)
Horses (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002), such as San Miguel president Ramon Ang, Lopez Group Holdings CEO Manuel Lopez and JG Summit Holdings president and chief operating officer Lance Gokongwei, will find their luck “improving” this year.

Chau said: “Since the Moon Star shines bright this year, they will have better luck in expanding their personal communication network that will help them have a better prospect both at work and business. Financially, [they] will have better luck developing their businesses.

Vice President Binay, who is also a Horse and regularly joins the Mandarin Oriental’s Chinese New Year parade, will “work well together” with President Aquino this year.

Tigers (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010) like SM Investments vice chairman and Banco de Oro chairman Teresita Sy-Coson will find 2011 “a productive year.”

According to Chau, “It is good timing for their business expansion. Their career luck is going smooth. They will have the ability to handle all their tough work and challenges. They should treasure this lucky year to show their ability both at work and business. Money luck is pretty good, and it is on the upswing. They will have a profitable return from their investment.”

It is important for Monkeys (1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004), like Aboitiz Equity Ventures president and CEO Erramon Aboitiz, “to have a good strategy plan in the beginning of the year if they wish to have a productive and successful year,” said Chau.

(Master Joseph Chau, resident feng shui expert/geomancer of the Mandarin Oriental, Manila. Photo by MOMNL)

“Financially, this is a fortunate year in money affairs….However, they should avoid being in partnership with people, especially between friends and relatives, or they will be cheated.”

The unlucky signs this year are, ironically, the Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011) and the Rooster (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005).

While Rats, Horses and Dogs are generally unlucky signs, those in business appear to be on a prosperous path but have to pay attention to their health and love lives.

Those born under the Snake sign will, likewise, find themselves generally unlucky. But those working overseas will be prosperous.

Chau said the lucky colors this year are gold, silver, white, sky blue, green, red, pink, violet, peach and orange.

(My story was originally published in the BusinessMirror, Jan. 25, 2011.)

Roar, Golden Tiger, roar!

THE Chinese New Year begins on Sunday, February 14. Understandably, long lines have formed to fortunetellers and feng shui consultants (geomancers) as most of us are anxious to find out what’s in store for us in the Year of the Golden (Metal) Tiger.

After last year’s general downtrend in the local economy and unfavorable business climate, it is mostly the businessmen who are at the forefront of those long lines, I am told, as they hope the year 2010 would hold more promise for them. (Click Something Like Life for the rest.)

(Joseph Chau in the Chinese New Year ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental Manila.)
Feng shui forecast for 2010 or the Year of the Golden (Metal) Tiger

With a bit of luck, some geomancy, and lots of prayers

THERE was a time in Marites Allen’s life when she didn’t feel on top of the world like she does now.

“I got married early, and had three small children back in Cebu, then my marriage fell apart. I also lost my mother in a tragic accident. I didn’t understand why all these things happened.” At that time, she was working for AusAid, the Australian government’s overseas assistance program, and some of Marites’s bosses were into feng shui, or the science of geomancy. It was explained to her that she was married to the wrong guy and that her house had “bad feng shui”. Eventually, she moved to Manila to start her life anew. (Click Something Like Life for the rest.)

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(For more information on the Feng Shui Spectacular 2010: Riding the Golden Tiger Updates, please call any WOFS boutique at The Podium – 5716898; Serendra – 9097088; Glorietta IV – 8188858; Mall of Asia 5560615; The Block North Edsa – 4420113; and Metro Cebu – 231 4088. Other hotline nos. include 4126888 / 4672195 / 0920-9509390 OR ARIVA hotlines at 895 8058 / 8958527 / 890961, or you may register through www.maritesallen.com.)

Good vibrations

CALL me crazy, but I feel a "disturbance" in the Force. I just don’t know how to explain it, but that’s the closest description I can come up with. It’s not a negative disturbance, rest assured, because all the changes that I’ve been observing have so far been positive amid the seemingly unfavorable events that have played out in the past few weeks.

I’ve been feeling this positive energy since July, when a number of my friends were blessed with wonderful changes in their lives. I even Googled “feng shui” or “zodiac readings” to find out what could be the possible explanation for all these buoyant stirrings. (Click Something Like Life for the rest.)

Pinoys to make money easily in Year of the Ox

EASY come, easy go.

This is the overall reading for the Philippines in the Year of the Ox by renowned geomancer Joseph Chau of the Mandarin Oriental, Manila. “The location of the Philippines is in the wealth and prosperity direction [southeast],” he said in his press conference on Wednesday; thus, Filipinos in general will have an “easy life” in 2009.

But he cautions that even if they can earn money with no difficulty this year, “you know what they say, ‘easy come, easy go.’” Mandarin Oriental’s annual Chinese New Year festivities will be held at 10 p.m. on January 25. (The rest of my story in BusinessMirror.)

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I'll try to post the rest of the predictions for the individual zodiac signs. Must scan first. Stay tuned for that.
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(UPDATE: Citigroup Reports Big Loss and a Breakup Plan Hmmm...so much for Citi's finances turning around, as per Master Chau's prediction.)

Feng shui and Sulpicio Lines

CHINESE families in the Philippines continue, to this day, believe in geomancy or feng shui, to help them ensure luck and prosperity in their lives and their businesses.

I remember Joseph Chau of Mandarin Oriental, whom I met sometime in 2001 or 2002 while making pahula in the lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel in Malate (he was a devotee of Aling Puring Alvior then), telling me that Sulpicio Lines was one of those transport businesses which had their logo redesigned to ward off the bad luck that seemed to be hounding them.

By then, Sulpicio Lines had already figured in three major maritime disasters — the sinking of M/V Doña Paz in 1987 (death toll: 4,000); M/V Doña Marilyn in 1988 (death toll: 77); and M/V Princess of the Orient in 1998 (death toll: 70, and 88 still missing).

I am no longer sure if it was Joseph who redesigned Sulpicio Lines' logo or it was someone else (his Mandarin O. predecessor perhaps the late Paul Lau?) but by the time I met Joseph, the shipping line was already sporting the new logo using the more modern yellow-green "S" enclosed in a circle with a yellow background looking like the sun. (Sorry I can no longer find the old logo online.)

The new logo seems to have worked for Sulpicio Lines as it didn't figure out in any more disasters since its M/V Princess of the Orient sank near Fortune Island in Batangas in 1998. Then last week, or 10 years after its last mishap, it's M/V Princess of the Star sank off Romblon amid stormy weather. (As of June 27, newspapers reported 124 confirmed dead and 56 surivors. The ship was carrying 862 passengers.)

Which goes to show, that no matter how much you believe in geomancy, human error and frailty will negate every positive vibe the feng shui was supposed to have engedered. (Then again I find it queer that Sulpicio Lines' luck seems to run out every 10 years or so...hmmm.)

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WELL, well, what's this I hear? Another transport company just had their offices blessed and feng shui'ed last Wednesday, June 25, 2008.

According to my sources, Asian Spirit had a feng shui ceremony that day, which coincidentally, was the day the airline committed to pay the premium it owed its insurer, Prudential Guarantee. One of the quirky things that happened was during the blessing ceremony, all women who gave birth this year were told to leave the offices, as they are considered unlucky I suppose.

You would expect that all things would have gone well for Asian Spirit from then on. (If you recall, the airline had seriously jeopardized its passengers who flew on its planes from June 19-23, 2008, because the carrier had no insurance. See my earlier blog entries.)

Sorry to disappoint you feng shui believers out there. Because by the end of the day, AIG London, Prudential Guarantee's reinsurer, sent the airline a Notice of Cancellation of its insurance policy after...gasp! missing the deadline to pay Prudential! Ay anovayan Ambassador Yao!

Of course, by next morning, June 26, Prudential Guarantee was paid. Pero sa true lang, ano pa ang silbi ng feng shui kung inefficient naman ang management ng airline na ito? To think nag-PR pa sila saying they were mounting "mercy flights" to Kalibo, Aklan, and San Jose, Antique, ferrying relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Frank. Tsk, tsk. Bilib na sana ako pero...wa din.

Attention Director Carmelo Arcilla of the Civil Aeronautics Board...hoy gising!

Too much politics or too much of GMA?

THE Presidentita oversimplifies it...that too much politics led to the deaths of the child Mariannet Amper and Comelec official Alioden Dalaig. Actually it's too much of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is what probably did them in.

While I don't want to impinge on the grief of Dalaig family, has anyone bothered to find out just what business did the Comelec official have in playing at the Casino Filipino in Hyatt Hotel? Last I heard, government officials were prohibited from gambling in government-owned casinos. Remember how much gulo there was over photos taken of then Vice President presidential candidate Sherap Estrada playing at one Pagcor casino, which were then released to the media? Tsk, tsk, tsk. I wonder whatever happened to that case...casino employee Edgardo Bentain mysteriously disappeared (and is presumed dead) because of that controversy.

Moral of the story: something tragic always happens when government officials gamble in Pagcor casinos.

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Btw, don't you think it strange that with questions still lingering over the exact cause of the blast at the Glorietta mall, here now comes another explosion at the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills? At a similar time when more issues against GMA's credibility are heating up. And of course, the same smarty pants "initial assessments" from the same cast of amateurs. Pasok Geary Barias!

And you might not believe in feng shui, but if I remember correctly, at the beginning of the Year of the Pig, geomancers such as Merlina Merton did predict that fiery elements would still be present this year in the form of bombs and explosions.

“…the elements of the Pig year are Fire over Water. Fire and water clash so the indications are another year of fighting and fiery events such as wildfire, bombs, explosions and political strife. But since this year the fire element is yin, which is not as strong as last year’s yang fire, the people and the forests will suffer less…” (Jazspitz.blogspot.com citing Phil. Star, Jan. 25, 2007)

Gasp! those wildfires in California!

Merton also predicts that the Presidentita will likely stay on until 2010. Shudder! Will Merton prove to be correct or be another Joseph Chau? (Funny that during the Chinese New Year feng shui writeups earlier this year,Chau evaded questions regarding GMA's term, still probably smarting from the ridicule he received from his incorrect prediction that Sherap would remain in office. I remember Chau's prediction very well...we published in on the front page of the old Manila Standard. Ach!)

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This piece I nominate as the weirdest story of the day: Indian man marries dog.

Now what do you think can we Filipinos do to ward off the curse that is GMA?