Pinoy Business Coach

BY JEFFREY O. VALISNO, Sub-Editor Business World


Only 12 animals went, and as a reward he promised to name a year for each one in order of their arrival -- these were the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar.

It was said the ox would have been the first to arrive, but the rat sat on his back, and jumped off just before they arrived, and therefore was the first to approach Buddha ahead of the other animals.

The rabbit came in fourth, making the rabbit fourth in a cycle of 12 animals that represent each year in the Chinese Lunar calendar. This year is the Year of the Metal Rabbit which will run from Feb. 3 to Jan. 22, 2012.

Relaxing year

Mandarin Oriental Manila’s resident geomancer, Joseph Chau, said the rabbit is a symbol of endurance based on Chinese mythology.

“The Year of the Rabbit should be a peaceful year, much welcomed after the Year of the Tiger, whose year is now ending,” Mr. Chau told reporters. “Rules and regulations will not be as strictly enforced and people will have fun and relax. Overall, it should be a moderate year with an easygoing pace.”

Feng shui expert Marites Allen of World of Feng Shui Philippines also said the year of the Rabbit will have positive and steady reform and recovery, most especially in the second half of 2011.

“There are excellent opportunities for creating asset wealth and for money-making ventures in 2011,” Ms. Allen told reporters. “Against a very competitive scenario where global information flows escalate, new business opportunities are available.”

She said those who are business-minded have the advantage in 2011 since there are plenty of prosperity-making opportunities present for the year.

“Those on the ball will make money very fast and in big amounts.

There is serious wealth to be created in 2011,” she said.

Good for leaders

Ms. Allen said a very positive aspect of the year is the appearance of the so-called “Commanding Star,” which is said to be “an outstandingly auspicious star.”

“The Commanding Star suggests the presence of authority, power, and influence luck for the year, benefiting those who find themselves in a leadership situation or those holding a position of authority,” she explained.

“Managers and leaders who have a clear strategy will benefit from the year. Leaders will find the year increasing their charisma, and effectiveness. Authority will come easily.”

She said the presence of the Commanding Star in 2011 will benefit not just those in leadership positions, but all those they command.

“But the Commanding Star also suggests the rise of ‘warlords’ and those who grab power,” she said. “Dictatorships will have a good year in 2011.”

Elemental clash

Mr. Chau said the elements prevailing in 2011 are clashing, since the year’s “heaven stem” element is metal, while its “earth branch” element is wood.

“Metal chops wood, so people should be careful. They should also be mindful about their road safety, since there will be a higher incidence of accidents in 2011,” he said.

Ms. Allen said the dominance of metal and wood elements in 2011 indicates strong competition, disharmony, and more international conflict. She added that the stars of 2011 indicate assassinations, as well as secret, and terrorist plots.

“The world becomes a more complicated place as there are many protagonists with hidden agendas. It is a year to be very careful, not a year to be trusting. It is most important to take safety precautions to protect the family and home,” she said.

Ms. Allen said the stars of the year also suggest high incidence of fire-related disasters, most likely forest fires due to lack of water and rainfall, being a very dry year. She added that there could also be “serious volcano eruptions recurring.”

Business Prospects for 2011

Ms. Allen said the luckiest industry this year will be those related to the fire element. Among the industries that are particularly expected to boom in 2011 are those involved in the stock market, entertainment, lighting, and restaurants.

“The year looks bright for the fire-related industries since there will be plenty of opportunities and wealth,” she said.

“The stock market’s outlook for 2011 is promising, especially during the summer period. Meanwhile, the financial system continues to look optimistic.”

Mr. Chau is optimistic about the prospects of the metal-related industries like car trading, mining, and jewelry. “Those in these businesses can take risks,” he said.

Ms. Allen said businesses related to the Earth element, like real estate, will have a “good outlook” for the entire 2011.

“There will be plenty of opportunities in the market for businesses involved in property, building construction, and hotels,” she said.

She, however, cautioned that businessmen involved in these industries should “go slowly in order to make the right decisions.”

Mr. Chau said businesses involving water like banking, shipping, transport, alcohol, and fishing will also have a good year. Ms. Allen, meanwhile, said water-related businesses can take calculated risks.

“There is hidden wealth luck for these businesses, and there will be bargains available for investors in these industries,” she said.

However, Ms. Allen said the outlook for wood-related industries like agriculture, publishing, flowers, and plants is “discouraging.”

“The businesses involved with wood should diversify to survive,” she said.

Mr. Chau said aside from considering the elements governing each industry, the public should also consider the animal signs of the leaders of the business, as well as the orientation of the company headquarters before they invest their money.

“Generally speaking, each industry can earn money, but it is also important to consider that the luck and destiny based on the birthdays of the big boss and directors will affect business,” Mr. Chau said.

“In addition, whether the orientation and direction of their company’s offices or the location of the company is auspicious will also affect the business. Of course, quality, service, and courtesy are important factors and cannot be neglected for success in business,” he added.

Home, Health, and Relationships

Meanwhile, both Mr. Chau and Ms. Allen said the most inauspicious direction for 2011 is the east. Ms. Allen said there should be no major renovations at the east part of houses in 2011, so as not to tempt the “five yellow misfortune star.”

“The yellow misfortune star is a seriously bad star which brings misfortune and accidents. It is in the east, and brings danger to all who live here,” she said.

She said those living in houses with the main door facing the east, should consider using the back door for the entire 2011. Doors facing the east should not be opened for the whole day on Feb. 3.

For those with no alternative entrances, Ms. Allen said homeowners should place “remedies” and “cures” at the east part of their houses.

The remedies can be brought from Ms. Allen’s stores, including the so-called “Five Element Pagoda.”

Mr. Chau said those living in houses facing the east can use a gong or a brass bowl to counter the negative energy.

“The house owner should ring the gong, or hit the brass bowl six times every day to appease the yellow misfortune star,” he said.

Ms. Allen said the “argumentative star” for 2011 is in the north. She said those who would like to avoid gossip, envy, criticism, fighting, and court cases should keep this area of their house quiet at all times.

“Radios, CD players, television sets and the like should be removed from this area to avoid quarrels,” she said.

To counter the negative energy of the north, Mr. Chau said homeowners can stick a red ang pao (Chinese money envelope) containing either a P20-bill or a P50-bill on the north part of their house.

Those with rooms and offices located at the south part of houses and buildings should be careful about their health, Mr. Chau said.

“The ‘sickness star’ falls in the south direction. Parents should pay attention to the safety of their children when engaged in water activities. Ladies should be aware of gynecological problems, miscarriage, and breast sickness. Apart from this, people have to be careful of their diet to avoid too much cholesterol or high blood pressure, or stroke,” Mr. Chau said.

Ms. Allen said pregnant women and elderly people should move to another bedroom if their current rooms are located at the south portion of their houses.

Meanwhile, to avoid unexpected bad luck and violence, Ms. Allen suggests that constructions and renovations should be put on hold at the center of the house.

“The Violent Star causes armed robbery and violence to those residing at the south sector,” she said.

On the other hand, Ms. Allen said those looking for wealth, success and happiness should make sure that their desks are facing the northwest, while those hoping for “unexpected good fortune” and “indirect wealth” should face the southeast.

Those who want to win competitions or pass board exams should have their desks facing the northeast in 2011, while those who want to find love or perform well in school should move their desks to face the southwest.

New Year’s Eve

On the eve of the Chinese New Year on Wednesday, Feb. 2, Ms. Allen said all doors should be opened, especially those facing the northwest.

She however said that doors that are facing the east should be kept closed.

Mr. Chau suggests that people who want to attract luck on the New Year should wear clothes with the lucky colors for 2011 -- gold, silver, white (but with prints), sky blue, green, red, pink, violet, and orange.

Ms. Allen said mustard yellow is also an auspicious color for 2011.

Meanwhile, among the Chinese traditions practiced to bring prosperity for the coming year include stowing away knives and scissors, and not cleaning the house on the Chinese New Year itself.

Other superstitions for the Lunar New Year include wearing new shoes and slippers as well as new underwear on New Year’s Day to prevent bad luck.

On New Year’s Eve, family members are advised to eat sweets like tikoy for harmonious relationships. All the lights in the house should be turned on 10 minutes before the midnight of Feb. 2 to welcome prosperity for the New Year.

There are also those who give out ang pao or red Chinese money envelopes containing money to bring prosperity for the coming year. It is believed that luck is multiplied by the amount of money placed inside the envelopes. Because of this, it is strongly advised that people refrain from giving out empty ang pao, since doing so would mean wishing ill for the recipient.

Mr. Chau said fruits like pineapple, pomelos, oranges, apples, and dragon fruit should be placed on the dining table to attract prosperity.

“There should be at least five of these fruits on the table to attract wealth,” he said.

He added that there should be two ang pao on the dining table, as well as candies, and watermelon seeds to attract money.

To ensure adequate food supply for the entire year, Mr. Chau said celery stalks with roots, cabbages, spring onions with roots, carrots, and lotus roots tied with a red ribbon should be placed inside the rice container.

“An ang pao with money worth P168 should be placed inside the rice container as well,” he said.

Fifteen days after the New Year, people are discouraged from having a haircut since doing so would mean losing one’s luck.

Love and sex

Ms. Allen said the rabbit in 2011 symbolizes flower of romance and peach blossom luck.

“There is raised libido in 2011 -- and also lots of sex-related scandals.

There are plenty of celebrity affairs that will hog the news this year,” she said.

Like the idiom “Breeding like rabbits,” the year of the rabbit proves to be an ideal time to find romance.

“All the signs of the Chinese Zodiac will have a better love life this year.

All the signs are lucky to get married in 2011,” he said.

*Kung Hei Fat Choi to our readers!