Becoming light
“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Love and compassion are powerful forces for change that could make a positive difference in one’s life. This February is an ideal month to shift things around to create auspicious energy as the Year of the Horse begins on Feb. 17, 2026 and ends on Feb. 5, 2027.
The Fire Horse is expected to be a dynamic and fiery year, symbolizing ambition, courage, and forward motion. As the ruling sign, Horses will experience a mix of highs and lows in love, work, and health, but breakthroughs are possible with persistence and balanced self-care.
In general, career, love, and health sectors are more favorable this year compared to the Year of the Snake. Romance runs hot and active with plenty of attention and excitement in most relationships. As a lucky tip, practice patience and gentleness to avoid conflicts and money problems.
Health is wealth, so watch out for stress, mood swings, and physical imbalance. We all need to prioritize self-care and balance. Wealth is possible, but careful financial management is essential to avoid impulsive decisions.
Lucky colors are red, gold, and green; and lucky numbers are 2, 3, 7, and 9. Thanks to the annual SM Supermalls Chinese New Year celebration, I was able to get more tips to fully harness the luck of the Rabbit, my sign.
SM Supermalls’ Chinese New Year celebration began on Feb. 9 with a special luncheon hosted at the Michelin Selected China Blue in Conrad Manila. The gathering brought together valued tenant partners and friends from the media for a memorable lauriat feast, shared among friends old and new.
The highlight of the afternoon was the annual forecast by Patrick Lim Fernandez, who guided guests through the overall outlook of the Year of the Fire Horse. He also offered insights into what each zodiac sign can expect in the months ahead, setting an optimistic tone for the year.
Now in its third year, this Chinese New Year luncheon reflects SM Supermalls’ continued commitment to fostering meaningful relationships and creating spaces where community, tradition, and shared aspirations come together. Guests departed feeling nourished with wisdom, strengthened by friendship, and inspired by a positive outlook for the year ahead.
It was wonderful to share an afternoon blending traditions of love and luck. This love month, filled with warmth and affection, coincides with the vibrant festivities of Chinese New Year.
Sibling love
Before the craze of Chinese New Year events, I made sure to celebrate the birthday of my younger brother, Paolo Prieto, last Feb. 12. I am so proud of Paolo, who is doing a fantastic job as president of Inquirer Group. He’s been overseeing the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s digital platforms, transforming the Inquirer’s online presence and transitioning it into this new digital age. Paolo was born in the Year of the Dog, which is coincidentally the best friend to the Rabbit!
Celebrating 61 years
Last weekend, I joined the 61st birthday bash of good friend Joel Cruz, president and CEO of Central Affirmative Co. Inc., the company behind the iconic Aficionado perfume brand. Beyond business, he is a devoted father to eight children, a hands-on leader in diversified ventures including real estate, a caring brother, a loving uncle, and a loyal friend to classmates and colleagues from both high school and college.
A true Aquarian, Joel embodies the balance of working hard and celebrating life fully. His birthday weekend was marked by an intimate yet grand celebration at his Tagaytay property, The Lord of Scents, located within Canyon Woods Residential Resort. Recently renovated and enhanced with additional tropical-themed rooms, the mansion provided the perfect setting for a weekend of gratitude, joy, and togetherness.
Guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner followed by an evening of world-class entertainment. The night featured unforgettable performances by Torch Diva Malu Barry, Asia’s Timeless Diva Dulce, stand-up comedian Jon Santos, and “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” finalist Marcelito Pomoy.
The art of becoming
After spending time with my family, I was so excited to visit “Echoes and Conversations,” the first solo exhibition by British Filipina artist and interior architect Rachel Le Roux.
Le Roux presented a deeply personal body of work that traces her artistic evolution through figuration, abstraction, and the quiet dialogue between past and present. Curated by Ayni Nuyda, the exhibition opened with an exclusive vernissage, and is on public view from Jan. 18 to Feb. 15 at Fashion Interiors, Makati.
The vernissage welcomed collectors, gallerists, members of the media, and cultural tastemakers for an intimate introduction to Le Roux’s practice, featuring curator-led walking tours that framed the exhibition as both a celebratory unveiling and a critical moment in the artist’s trajectory.
Presenting 41 artworks, 19 of which debuted in the show, “Echoes and Conversations” unfolds as a nuanced dialogue across Le Roux’s body of work. Earlier figurative paintings—referred to as “Echoes”—sit alongside newly created works titled “Conversations,” allowing contrast, continuity, and negative space to carry the narrative.
Interwoven throughout are abstract works that extend this dialogue. Often originating from paint remnants scraped from the artist’s palette, these pieces carry traces of gesture and color into a more instinctive visual language.
Framed by Nuyda as a “studio ecology,” the exhibition ultimately reflects on becoming—an honest, visually-led exploration of growth, memory, and continuity, where the space between works becomes as meaningful as the works themselves.
As humans, our entire lives are dedicated to the art of “becoming.” It is only on us to decide whether that is a journey of becoming light—loving, hopeful, and kind beings—or succumbing to darkness.
It was Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” So let’s all move with love and respect to fully embrace more positive energy in the Year of the Fire Horse!
