Change is truly inevitable—so embrace it
“Dragon years are always years of transformation when new opportunities arrive.” —Lillian Too
Gong Xi Fa Cai! The mighty Dragon 2024 is set to be a year filled with extremely fast-moving energy because all four pillars of 2024 are Yang. The New Year also sees a mega-shift in energies as we move from Period 8 to Period 9.
This year’s chart is unbalanced, with no water element. As water in 2024 signifies wealth, there will be more difficulty in acquiring money this coming year. Water features like aquariums or fountains are auspicious in the North sector of the house to attract wealth.
Harmony and peace are vitally important in 2024. There are clashing stars that need to be tamed down with feng shui cures that my yoga teacher Ollay Aninion shared from World of Feng Shui by Lillian Too. She also told me that for the Rabbit, we will enjoy not one but two big auspicious stars from the 24 Mountains, suggesting a year when we can make huge strides in not just one but multiple aspects of our lives.
Based on her talk, Ollay said that the lucky signs this year are Rooster, Monkey and Rabbit. Although it will be a tough year to gain wealth, we should just set goals and focus on achieving them with careful, calculated actions. We should also prioritize our health energy.
I got more feng shui tips at the annual Chinese New Year lunch hosted by Steven Tan of SM Supermalls at China Blue by Jereme Leung at Conrad Manila. While enjoying the auspicious menu, geomancer Patrick Lim Fernandez of Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony shared tips for each of the 12 animal signs.
Here are some of the key things to watch out for, for each sign: Rat: Overcommunicate to avoid trouble; Ox: Be bolder with investments; Tiger: Seek new experiences; Rabbit: Visualize your goals; Dragon: Showcase your talent; Snake: Celebrate your milestones; Horse: Be patient, you’re resilient; Goat: Expand your network; Monkey: Think long-term; Rooster: So much to achieve—prioritize; Dog: Watch your resources; Pig: Go for new, different, bigger!A Yee Sang toss with lucky noodles and slivers of Peking duck were enjoyed by press friends and SM tenant partners before I shared my thoughts on the coming new year. After the forecast, Grace Fornier Magno of SM helped distribute our lucky ang pao and the book “Houses that Sugar Built.”
Sense of hope
Change is truly inevitable, so we should embrace it and work on the change to be progressive and enhance growth. Since we are entering the Period 9, we will all experience big change this year. This cycle will last for the next 20 years. We should focus on setting goals that will benefit both ourselves and others.
I did feel a new sense of hope at that afternoon with so much positivity for 2024. After being in an exciting yet complex relationship, I decided to choose peace and calm over conflict. I will surround myself with people who are good for my mental health, heart and soul. Drama becomes intolerable and peace is the ultimate priority.
As I now figure out what I want to focus on, I am looking at getting back into my interior design roots. Still in the process, I wish to start a unique line of home furnishing and fashion accessories as suggested by Steven Tan, the king of retail properties. With his visionary ideas, he thought I would do well in that. Let’s see what my lucky stars lead me to!
I got inspired to look into interior design again when I attended the inauguration of the new board of trustees of the Philippine Institute of Interior Design (PIID) at the Goldenberg Mansion, one of the heritage mansions within the Malacañang Complex.
The PIID is set to strengthen the interior design profession, fostering societal transformation through design-driven initiatives and empowering Filipino designers to excel on both local and international stages.
The board of trustees, heralded as the youngest in the organization’s storied 60-year history, embodies a spirit of innovation and forward-thinking leadership. The oath-taking ceremony was presided over by Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC)’ interior design chairperson Sonia Olivares.
During the ceremony, architect and interior designer Ed Calma was also acknowledged as the Outstanding Professional of the Year. Calma is known for his invaluable contributions to Philippine contemporary architecture.
Elevating standards
Outgoing PIID president Dr. Ivy Almario shared their achievements in shaping the country in the field of interior design, and their collective efforts to promote Philippine furniture design globally. United in their purpose, they are committed to elevate the standards of their profession and contribute to the development of the nation.
Incoming vice president Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran talked about gratitude and optimism and their shared passion for interior design, a field that creates a powerful force for positive change and innovation.
In the realm of design, Cyndi said that there is so much potential to transform spaces into canvases that reflect the beauty of our culture and the spirit of our nation. In collective achievements, the new board embraces the challenges that lie ahead with unwavering hope. She stated, “May our designs be a testament to the richness of our culture, the strength of our unity and the promise of a brighter, more aesthetically pleasing future.”
At the Wilcon Depot CNY Special hosted by feng shui master Marites Allen, I was able to gain feng shui home insights for the Wood Dragon year. Wilcon Depot grand dame Rose Ong made sure we all got lucky blessings from the Dragon Dance and the ang pao shared.
As we all move forward, let optimism be our guiding light. The challenges we face are opportunities to showcase our resilience and adaptability to change. Let this change be the force that will make us live a more abundant, peaceful and meaningful life!
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