Fame, fortune and feng shui

MANILA, Philippines - Bench founder and owner Ben Chan is a believer in feng shui. Has it helped his hugely successful fashion empire become even better aligned with life energies? Chan attests: “I’ve been practicing this science for almost four years and I’ve seen how it has enhanced the important elements in my life towards growth and prosperity.”

Fashion often relies on style, and styles come and go. But the ancient art of feng shui is a constant. Not only Bench owner Chan, but other local celebrities and even business icons are reportedly feng shui followers. Not to mention all the Hollywood celebrities and American business titans who follow the Chinese beliefs. (Okay, we’ll mention some of them: Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Oprah, George Clooney and Gwyneth Paltrow.)

Once the exclusive domain of Chinese royalty, the ancient art of auspicious placement is now practiced in different parts of the world to help people improve various aspects of life, including not just finances but also relationships and health. But why would people of such high status rely on feng shui when they have everything, or almost everything they could possibly achieve? One reason is that these people have much more to protect, more ground to cover, and therefore they don’t leave anything to chance. The famous Washington mansion of Bill Gates, valued at close to $150 million, for example, sits in a perfect location and was built following feng shui principles. Donald Trump, a flamboyant real estate magnate, hires feng shui experts to help build his properties. He has said: “I don’t have to believe in feng shui. I do it because it makes me money.”

Benchmark: Fashion retailer. Ben Chan is a believer in feng shui.

Locally, Marites Allen, president and CEO of World of Feng Shui (WOFS) Philippines, has been practicing feng shui for almost 15 years and continues to be the consultant of choice for popular and influential figures in the entertainment, business and political fields. Her Annual Feng Shui Convention usually turns out to be a gathering of such clients, many of whom have become her personal friends, along with a growing number of feng shui aficionados who have likewise discovered the merits of the Chinese practice. This year, the Marites Allen Feng Shui Convention is scheduled on Dec. 17 at EDSA Shangri-La Cinema 4.

Here’s what people from the local entertainment world say on her website. The award-winning actress Rita Avila: “My husband and I have been avid followers of Marites Allen’s annual feng shui convention… she is a dear friend and we will always be there for her. ”

Bench founder Chan says: “We are thankful to have met Marites who has guided us with our feng shui.”

Tessa Prieto-Valdes, fashion icon and columnist writes: “I never miss giving support and attending Marites Allen’s annual event… it truly gives us a ‘heads up’ on how to maximize our luck for the next year… Cool!”

TV host and eventologist Tim Yap adds: “If you say I am lucky, you will be lucky. Even in my books, that’s the first thing I write: ‘I am lucky, lucky, lucky.’ Marites Allen has become a dear friend and will always be there for me whenever I have some feng shui queries.”

Top TV show host and actress Kris Aquino has said: “I consult with Marites Allen and use the Lillian Too World of Feng Shui calendar. I basically consult for our home, the most auspicious location and layout. I also consult feng shui for schedules of my contract signings.”

Coldplaya: Gwyneth Paltrow follows the ancient Chinese art of auspicious placement.

“King of Talk” Boy Abunda, who is Marites’s co-host in the annual convention, pays the sweetest tribute. He says he had heard a lot about feng shui, but had always taken a conditional stand — that is, he’d believe the forecast only if it was good. But things changed when he met Marites because “she has a solution to almost everything. It’s about Marites’s disposition, it’s about her, it’s about feng shui, it’s about the messenger. Di ba parang ang gaan gaan, ang saya saya, ang ganda ganda. She’s one of the most beautiful women in the world; she’s one of the sexiest women in the world; she’s not shy about being prosperous, she’s very generous, so it’s about her.”

For your 2012 preparations for the Year of the Water Dragon, visit any of the WOFS boutiques near you: North EDSA (442-0113); Megamall (470-7661); Glorietta IV (818-8858); Mall of Asia (556-0615); Serendra (909-7088); New Manila (576-5323); or call 0920-9509390.