Happy New Year!
For people who had a brilliant 2017, I wish for your continued success and endless lucky days in the coming year. For those who have been challenged a bit more this year, may 2018 bring more luck, good fortune and improved health.
What’s in store for us in the Year of the Earth Dog? From Feb. 16, 2018 until Feb. 4, 2019, the Earth Dog will take over as the ruling animal of the Chinese zodiac. For feng shui followers, the changing of the lunar year brings different opportunities and certain challenges for each animal sign. Understandably, many people look forward to the luck forecasts for their respective birth signs as they go through another year.
To guide us in maximizing the positive energies and deflecting the negative ones indicated in each animal chart, feng shui master Marites Allen has written and released her much awaited Feng Shui Almanac, Feng Shui Planner and 12 horoscope books for 2018, in partnership with ABS-CBN Publishing. She gave a sneak preview into the luck readings for each astrological sign:
Rat: Long-term benefits expected, but need to be wary of the misfortune star.
Ox: Pleasant news related to promotion or further career development.
Tiger: A reasonably good year, but must control temper and avoid confrontations.
Rabbit: Monetary gains from last year may be extended to this year.
Dragon: Take it easy, and make sure to implement a calculated risk for anything that you do in 2018.
Snake: There will be more chances for your upward achievements.
Horse: A very rewarding year, especially in the love department.
Sheep: You may have to redouble your efforts to achieve whatever goals you wanted.
Monkey: Many positive events to look forward to.
Rooster: Do not be too busy that you neglect your personal health.
Dog: New beginnings are in the horizon and income growing in 2018 is very possible.
Boar: A great start for a new year; however, betrayal may be on the horizon.
Each book provides monthly readings for one’s career, business, health and relationships. There are also feng shui suggestions for the home, auspicious fashion and accessories, guide to the lucky and unlucky house orientations for each month, and many more useful tips. The books are now available at National Book Store and all Frigga Charmed Life boutiques, as well as online at frigga.co.uk, wealthluck.com, lazada.com.ph and o-shopping.com.
Marites is also hosting the 13th Annual Feng Shui Extravaganza on Jan. 6, 2018, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Marco Polo Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.
The extravaganza will help attendees navigate the Earth Dog year, with actual tools to attract good fortune for the New Year. (To reserve seats, call 0920-9509390; or e-mail ilovefrigga@gmail.com, maritesallenevents@gmail.com).
Of course, nothing beats hard work no matter what your feng shui states, as my hubby Dennis always likes to say.
Awards
Another hardworking friend is Jun Parreño, COO of The Discovery Leisure Company. Jun has truly been the driving force behind the success of the Discovery properties. His attention to detail is clearly seen in his tireless efforts to make the resorts world class.
The Discovery Leisure Company recently announced that two of their resorts have won amazing awards for this year, triumphs that would not have been possible without the enduring patronage of their guests.
Discovery Shores Boracay and Discovery Primea Makati recently bagged awards from the coveted Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2018. Locally, Discovery Shores Boracay was voted as the Favorite Beach Resort Hotel in The Choice 2017, making its 10th anniversary a truly remarkable one.
Club Paradise Palawan, Discovery’s other stunning resort, also won its share of awards, like the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards as Continent Winner—Luxury Private Island Resort, and the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards as Country Winner—Luxury Family Beach Resort.
John Tiu, president of The Discovery Leisure Company, told me how proud he was to win all these awards, considering the company is a homegrown hospitality group. He expressed his sincere gratitude to guests and partners who have always supported the resorts.
John mentioned the men and women behind Discovery, who relentlessly work as one family and deliver thoughtful “Service That’s All Heart.”
Visit www.discoveryshoresboracay.com and www.clubparadisepalawan.com.
Chocolate-inspired dinner
This is my final column for 2017, so I’d like to end it on a sweet note.
An exclusive, six-course menu dinner at The Peninsula Manila’s Old Manila restaurant used chocolate as the key ingredient for a fundraiser that benefited cacao farmers in Davao.
With Michelin training and shared culinary star power to back them up, and chocolate stouts and fine wines to match, The 8 Hands Auro Chocolate-inspired Benefit Dinner highlighted four outstanding chefs: Old Manila’s chef de cuisine Allan Briones; Josh Boutwood of The Test Kitchen; Chele Gonzalez of Gallery Vask; and The Pen’s executive pastry chef Xavier Castello.
Auro Chocolate, owned by young entrepreneurs Kelly Go and Mark Ocampo, was the key ingredient used throughout the menu.
The Beyond Bean-to-Bar: Chocolate-Inspired Dinner gave guests the opportunity to adopt organically grown Theobroma cacao Crillo variety trees in Davao and help a small community of retired marines who have traded in their arms to farm cacao trees.
It’s a great way to say goodbye to 2017 and look forward to an auspicious 2018.
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