Politics in the Year of the Rooster:If Roosters and Dragons are friends, why aren’t Digong and Leni friends?

By Camille Anne M. Arcilla, Reporter

If the zodiac signs are right, the President and Vice-President of the Philippines are actually meant to be allies, a status which is certainly not apparent when one considers the animosity of the “disinvitations” of the last few months.

Geomancy and feng shui expert Marites Allen said in a press forum last week that following the Chinese zodiac, President Rodrigo R. Duterte — born in the Year of the Rooster — and Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” Santo Tomas Robredo — born in the Year of the Dragon — are supposed to be “secret friends.”

“The Rooster and the Dragon are ‘secret friends.’ They are supposed to be a match made in Heaven and in alliance with each other,” said Ms. Allen during the Pandesal Forum on Jan. 10 at the Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City.

However, she explained that while considering the 12 animal signs in the Chinese zodiac, things are actually a bit more nuanced as one’s luck and compatibility with the other signs depends not just on the year or birth but on the time and date of a person’s birth, and which of the elements they are influenced by, the five elements being fire, water, earth, metal, and wood.

“We also need to look into what hour the President was born because the luck of the country depends on the luck of the President,” she said. “If the President is naturally lucky, the Philippines will be prosperous.”

LUCKY HOURS
Each individual’s future follows their sign’s “lucky hours” in a day and “lucky dates” of the year. Ms. Allen said the relationship of the President and the Vice-President might be affected by the time and dates they were born.

“That is why there are people whom we personally dislike even if they aren’t doing anything to us. Sometimes, the opposite happens. You just met each other but you fall in love easily. That’s because your elements are driving in each other,” she said.

The President’s rumored ally, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., meanwhile shares the same sign — both are Roosters. Ms. Allen said this understandably shows how compatible they are. 

Those born in the Year of the Rooster are also said to be smart, she said.

While 2017 is the Rooster’s year, people under this sign have to be careful of their health.

“Looking after their health is the key issue. The President, for one, should be cautious especially in the month of March. He has to be watchful or he might get ill,” she said.

Mr. Duterte’s right hand man, Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” M. de la Rosa, will also be fortunate this year. Born in January 1962, Mr. De la Rosa falls under the Year of the Ox, which is another good friend of the Rooster. Ox-born people are seen to be the most hardworking among all the signs.

But it is not only the President’s luck that is considered in having a prosperous country. Ms. Allen laid down her forecast of the Philippines’ feng shui — founded in 1898, the country was “born” in the Year of the Dog.

Ms. Allen said that in 2017, the Philippine government has to do something about its best asset — its work force. Overseas Filipino workers and the business process outsourcing industry are key factors to strengthen the country.

The country should also focus more on its beaches and expand its connectivity to boost local tourism. Stocks, on the other hand, will be very vibrant this summer, she said.

LAZY IS NOT LUCKY
In general, she reminded people to be mindful of their actions because the argumentative star is at its strongest this year.

“In 2017, backbiting is very prevalent. Even family mem- bers and friends can backbite you,” Ms. Allen noted.

However, she said one’s Chinese zodiac year makes up only 33% of a person’s luck — the rest comes from blessings from Heaven and hard-earned fortune.

One is already born with “Heaven’s luck,” or something that is God-given and pre-ordained. This cannot be changed, but can be helped through one’s religious faith.

Next would be “mankind luck,” or what an individual does to achieve success. “If you are lazy, no one’s going to put food on your table,” she noted.

Lastly is “Earth luck.” Ms. Allen said this is where feng shui comes in. She, however, clarified that feng shui is not a religion nor a superstition.

STARS OF STARS
There were “fearless forecasts” made during the forum concerning some people in politics and showbiz.

The President’s best-known rival, Senator Leila M. de Lima, is a Boar. In 2016, the Boar was surrounded by the argumentative star — which may explain the controversies surrounding her. This year, she will lie low a bit, but she still has to be careful with her health.

Sports icon and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, a Horse, has to take it easy. If he had been busy in the past year, 2017 is the best time for him to take a break.

Kristina “Kris” C. Aquino, also a Boar, is already covered because she is strong in Heaven’s luck, Ms. Allen said. The actress and TV host is known to be religious and charitable.

Comedian Jose Marie Borja Viceral — better known as Vice Ganda — was born in the Year of the Dragon. Ms. Allen said he will be doing great in 2017, with more projects along the way.

Ms. Allen said that actor Jose Sixto Gonzalez Dantes III, a.k.a. Dingdong Dantes, born under the sign of the Monkey, should consider having a baby or venture into a business together with his wife, Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes, born in the year of the Rat, who is predicted to have a stronger bond with their family this year.

Actress and TV host Anne O. Curtis-Smith, another Rat, could start planning her marriage with fiance Filipino-French chef Erwann Heusaff. It seems that 2017 is a great time for Rats to get married.

PRECAUTIONS
Ms. Allen said the reason why forecasts are given out before Chinese New Year is to warn to people about what may happen so they can take precautions. Though some Filipinos could be naysayers and a few may reason out that they are not covered as they are “not Chinese,” she said there is nothing wrong in following the Chinese tradition.

She suggests giving up a bad habit for the new year and to continue to challenge one’s self in sustaining it.

“Keep a box where you can throw the things you don’t need. You will never miss it. It’s a way of welcoming new things in your life,” she added.

“Clean thoroughly, especially if 2016 was bad.”

In addition, she said to wear happy colors and avoid black to attract good vibrations.

“[But] there are things you cannot control. Make it a habit to focus on the best ability you have. Do not spend so much energy to things you cannot do. Improve yourself from there,” she said.