The year of the Fire Monkey may be an unbalanced one with many important luck elements missing, but there are other indications that could be tapped to make it a better year for those who are not so endowed with auspicious luck.
In the world of feng shui, August is the Ghost Month, with no new projects and activities occurring. With the year as unpredictable as the nature of monkeys, the forecast shows tendencies and trends for financial and political difficulties.
Fortunately, I am a perennial optimist, counting many blessings in spite of all the challenges. Luckily, the feng shui principle of yin and yang reminds us that there is nothing intrinsically good or bad—that, even in the worst situations, there is always a way out.
Our world is much more complex and volatile than in previous fire monkey years. It’s up to us to shape our personal and collective realities as best as we can. The feng shui underlining this formula is quite simple: intention + energy + ritual.
Keeping a clear intention of exactly what you want is important to create change and improvements in your life. Your innate energy is key to manifesting your goals and dreams quicker. Thanks to my feng shui expert Marites Allen, I get the “ritual” aspect covered with by wearing auspicious colors and carrying lucky amulets. Additionally, my Bikram Yoga teacher Olay Aninion and Kundalini Yoga instructor Rosan Cruz have protected me with positive energies.
Ideal month
New energies can be created by opening new ventures or celebrating milestones. So August is an ideal month to celebrate a store anniversary and open a new store as well.
Home and lifestyle specialty store Dimensione is celebrating the 40th anniversary of iconic brand Magis with an interestingly artful exhibit of the Magis Rocky. Established as a modern and design driven furniture showroom, Dimensione has developed a very good relationship with international brands such as Magis, which has trusted Dimensione as its exclusive Philippine partner since 1997.
In celebration of four decades of Magis in the world of design and furniture, Dimensione collaborated with Secret Fresh to create a local homage to one of the brand’s most fun and iconic items—the unbeatable Rocky rocking horse. Meryem Chouirf, Magis representative for Asia, was present during the affair and expressed appreciation for the firm’s successful partnership with Dimensione head Ben Chan and his team.
This particular project with Secret Fresh Gallery for the Unbeatable Rocky is indeed special for the company. Rocky, an original design by Marc Newson for Magis, was reinterpreted by 14 local artists that Secret Fresh Gallery owner Bigboy Cheng and the Dimensione team selected.
Different versions of the Rocky were revealed last Aug. 4 at Studio Dimensione, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig showroom. These one-of-a-kind masterpieces are for sale and can be part of your very own home. The Dimensione x Secret Fresh exhibition runs until Sept. 4.
Retail therapy
To create auspicious energy, I believe in retail therapy. I always get excited when new furniture shops open in the city, such as when mother and daughter Dette Aquino-Tan and Audrey Tan-Zubiri finally opened their Italian furniture showroom, Designa Italia, a few weeks ago. This latest addition to the furniture scene features beautiful and high-quality Italian furniture.
Cutting the ribbon, together with Audrey and Dette, were Sen. Miguel Zubiri, Red Cross chair and Sen. Dick Gordon and Ross Merlino and Paolo Vecchia from Italy. I joined the ceremonial cutting and shopped soon after.
The store features a wide array of items ready to be brought home, but also offers the option of placing indent orders for clients with specific requirements. All items are made in Italy and reflect the classic elegance of Italian design while also highlighting contemporary touches. Each piece is truly a celebration of Italian craftsmanship and creativity.
Audrey shared that Italian furniture has always been considered luxurious in terms of their quality and design, but what sets her shop apart from other stores is their mission to make reasonably priced Italian furniture more accessible to a broader market.
Designa Italia is located at W14 La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Don Chino Roces Ave. (behind San Lorenzo Village) Makati City. Call 7728343 or 0977-1003469; e-mail [email protected].
Brain health
For positive brain health, I was recently introduced to Allysian Sciences—natural products designed to help with memory, stress relief, mood, alertness and performance, among its other promised benefits.
At an intimate dinner at Vask Manila, good friend Jojie Dingcong organized a gathering of influencers to hear from Apolo Ohno, 8-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated American winter Olympian in history, along with his cofounder Rod Jao, about this wonderful supplement.
The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company’s products help bring awareness about the brain health industry. Allysian’s goal is to help everyone improve all aspects of life, starting with the most important part of the human body, the mind. Grab your bottle of this mind-blowing power potion.
E-mail [email protected].
King James’ drink
Another super athlete and NBA superstar that has been tapped by Coca-Cola is LeBron James. Coca-Cola brings to the Philippines Sprite LeBron’s Mix, the first-ever limited-edition King James drink, so you can have the NBA superstar’s diskarte in you.
Launched recently in Green Sun Hotel in Makati City, Sprite’s new LeBron’s Mix offers a combination of the crisp, refreshing lemon-lime taste of Sprite with the delicious twist of cherry and orange flavors. It comes in an eye-catching bold red packaging with LeBron’s initials and his iconic crown.
During the launch, Stephan Czypionka, vice president for marketing of Coca-Cola Philippines, welcomed all media guests and sports personalities at the action-packed affair, which came complete with games and prizes.
