Houston Community News >> Year of the Rat Will Prove to Be Lucky for the Philippines

1/26/2008 (Manila Times)- While people are worried about the US slowdown, the Hong Kong-based feng shui expert Joseph Chau says the November presidential elections in the US will likely lift that economy out of its impending slump.

“The economy of the United States will go up also because they will have an election,” he said. “They will have a new president.”

Asked whether he sees Democratic contenders Sen. Hillary Clinton, or Sen. Barack Obama winning the election, Chau cryptically said: “I cannot say that. But you must understand their culture, no matter who will win, man or woman.”

More luck to the Philippines

With more analysts seeing tougher times ahead for the US economy, local economists are also seeing difficult challenges for the Philippines. But Chau believes otherwise.

“The rat is a water element,” Chau said. “The Philippines is a hot season country so the rat gives more luck to the Philippines.”

He noted that in Manila and Quezon City, more water fountains are being constructed.

“Water brings more luck to the country,” he said.

The Chinese use a five-element system—earth, water, wood, fire, metal—to determine the characteristics of each year.

“The earth rat give us more luck than the previous 12 years [1996-2007] which is a fire period. So we had terrorist attacks, we had explosions,” Chau said.

Asked whether the Philippines would see less fires and earthquakes in 2008, Chau said there will still be some earthquakes “especially in the southern part of the Philippines” and the frequent brownouts in the country can cause fires.

“The radio and TV [stations] have to educate the public on how to prevent fires and how to use candles,” he said.

Lucky Palace

On the political front, Chau said Malacañang is “lucky” in the New Year, because the gate of the Palace faces the southeast, the most favorable direction until 2009. The southeast is where the prosperity star is located.

Asked pointblank if this means President Gloria Arroyo would remain in office, Chau said: “If Malacañang is lucky, the master should be lucky. The most important thing is the master of Malacañang pays attention to her health, because the sickness star is located in the northwest so all the heads of family, whether it is a lady or gentleman, should pay special attention to their personal safety.”

Another favorable direction to which one’s entrance should face whether at home or in the office is the east where the wealth star is located. Unfortunate directions are the south (disaster star), southwest (robbery star), west (conflict start) and north, (three-killer star).

While he declined to comment on the electability of certain politicians as president of the country in 2010, he said the year actually bodes well: “2010 is a Golden Tiger year which will also be lucky for the Philippines.”

(Contributed by Manila Times)