What’s in store for us in the Year of the Rat?
Last Jan. 25, we welcomed the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Metal Rat. It’s the beginning of a new cycle, a new decade and fresh starts, and it will also bring instability to different aspects of our environment and the economy. The Taal eruption, the bush fires in Australia, the political tensions between the US and Iraq and the latest health scare, the Novel Coronavirus, are some manifestations of this instability. It will be a year of extremes ranging from good to bad because of the metal nature of the year. This is according to Feng Shui expert Patrick Lim Fernandez, brother of the late Princess Fernandez of Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony.
Princess, whom I had known for close to 10 years, passed away unexpectedly middle of last year. I was distraught and shocked when I learned of her passing at the age of 46. Since I met her, she guided me and gave me personal readings at the onset of every Chinese New Year, similar to what Paul Lau did when he was alive. Listening to Princess’ advice was always fun. She explained with clarity and gave simple tips to help enhance your fortune. Things as simple as changing where your worktable faced, wearing a citrine bracelet to bring in money luck or telling me what my lucky colors are (your lucky colors never change). She also told me to avoid going to funerals and instead attend happy celebrations to imbibe good luck, etc.
This year, Patrick continued what Princess started. Patrick is as charming and articulate as his sister. He double majored in Management Engineering and Economics Honors at the Ateneo de Manila. He was vice president for finance at Wells Fargo bank in Los Angeles, California, before he decided to quit and become a financial consultant instead. Doing so allowed him to shuttle back and forth between the US and the Philippines to continue what Princess started. I asked him how we can combat what’s happening around us and he offered this simple advice: We can’t control bigger issues like natural calamities or disasters or even political issues. But for things within our control, we should always have a contingency plan. It doesn’t hurt if we have a plan B just in case things don’t plan out the way we want them to. And in the same manner as the rat, we should always save for a rainy day.
During the Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner I attended, renowned Filipino fashion designer Oliver Tolentino was seated next to me. A family friend of the Fernandezes for over 20 years, Oliver designed the beautiful silk jackets of Patrick and Tita Baby (mom of Patrick). He also did the same for Princess.
It was fascinating to listen to Oliver narrate how he started his fashion career. From humble beginnings in Bataan province, he moved to Manila. Then 12 years ago, he opened a shop in Beverly Hills, California. He does the gowns of many Hollywood actresses like Jessica Alba, and it’s his attention to couture detail that has earned him an A-list clientele both here and abroad. He mentioned that his wealthy clients are from Texas, where most of the oil-rich Americans reside. He laughed when I asked him if he charges an arm and a leg for a bridal gown, and replied that he’s reasonable because he wants his clients to keep coming back to him. Oliver comes to Manila four to five times a year to check on his shop in Makati and stays for about two weeks when he’s in town.
Our midnight dinner ended at close to 2 a.m. but it was worth the puyat. I always enjoy the Chinese New Year celebrations because they are lots of fun, loaded with rituals (lion dance, fireworks display, giving of red money envelopes, etc.), and overloaded with sumptuous food! But the best part is spending it with family and loved ones.
From my family to yours, Kung Hei Fat Choi!
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