Each day brings us closer to 2020, a new decade that was once regarded as the “future” in many sci-fi movies.

In Chinese astrology, it is also the Year of the Rat, the first animal to arrive at the Imperial Palace. This signifies the auspicious start of a new 12-year cycle that will dictate the positive energies to come.

Feng shui master Marites Allen says all activities in 2020 should be related to anything that indicates new beginnings and expansions. This upward activity will kick off the trend for the next 12 years.

For a more in-depth analysis of the feng shui for 2020, join the annual Feng Shui Convention of Marites happening today, Nov. 24, at Novotel in Quezon City.

Starting at 10 a.m., Marites will give her forecast and tips per animal sign as well as in preparation for Chinese New Year happening Jan. 25, 2020. Check out her website www.maritesallen.com for more feng shui updates.

I heard that those born on the Year of the Rabbit are the luckiest during the Year of the Rat, so I am quite excited, as 2019 has already been so wonderful.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving on Nov. 28, I reflect on the incredible blessings and milestones of the year, with our 25th wedding anniversary last June as the highlight.

Three milestones

The year 2019 has also been fabulous for our wedding sponsors. Our ninong Felix Ang is celebrating three special milestones this year—his company CATS Group’s 30th anniversary, his 60th birthday and his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife Grace. His daughter had her first birthday a week earlier.

From a small car accessories, tires and servicing shop in Greenhills into a leading force in the local automotive industry, CATS Group definitely has much to celebrate.

The festivities at Grand Hyatt Manila were quite cinematic, as event stylist Barbie Pardo-Tiangco created several car vignettes throughout the ballroom.

The Francis Ford Coppola classic was the perfect inspiration for the celebration, as “The Godfather” is Felix’s all-time favorite film.

The evening had two parts. The first was a celebration of the CATS Group’s 30th year, with a presentation on how the company grew, from humble beginnings in 1989 to becoming the exclusive distributor of luxury car brands in the country, such as Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Harley-Davidson, Mazda, Jaguar and Land Rover.

In the second part, close friends roasted Felix to cheer the birthday boy. They were Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s George Barcelon, Ben Yam, Art Tan and US Ambassador Sung Kim. The highlight was the Michael Jackson dance number of Grace and her best friends.

Both Felix and Grace are so supportive of all our charitable programs, like the Red Charity Gala and Save Philippine Seas, as well as the Philippine Underwater Hockey Team that will compete in the SEA Games 2019. We are all excited and giving our full support, especially since my hubby Dennis is the competition manager.

Passion project

Mercedes-Benz also sponsored Philippine Tatler’s 18th Ball last weekend at Shangri-La at the Fort’s grand ballroom. Managing director Irene Martel Francisco welcomed more than 500 guests to the elegant soirée, a “passion project” that she orchestrates every year.

With the changing landscape of the publishing industry, Irene expressed deep appreciation for advertisers’ unwavering support. She acknowledged the ball’s lead partners, Mercedes-Benz, represented by Felix Ang, and Rick Santos of Santos Knight Frank, as well supporting partners Bulgari, HSBC Premier and Subic International Golf Club.

To raise funds for this year’s beneficiary, World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, a charity auction was held. The highest bid went for an exclusive six-night safari in private camps at Serengeti National Park in Tanzania for eight people, a generous contribution from A2A Safaris.

Myla Villanueva won the bid and is excited to take her mother and family. At this writing, over P11 million was raised through donations and the charity auction.

Afterward, Tatler’s editor, Anton San Diego, and Pops Fernandez announced this year’s awardees. The entrepreneurial Joey and Marissa Concepcion were named Couple of The Year, while Joanna Preysler Francisco was named Most Stylish Woman.

Alice Eduardo, the Most Charitable Force, was recognized for her philanthropic endeavors, and Sofia Zobel Elizalde for her cultural contributions as Patroness of Arts and Culture. Retail magnate Ben Chan was honored with this year’s Diamond Award.

My highlight was singing with the surprise performer of the night, Arnel Pineda. I think it was the flowing Rémy Martin XO that got me dancing and singing the rest of the evening.

On the way out, everyone flocked to take photos at the elegant vignette by Moss Manila.

Thanksgiving

At the Thanksgiving dinner hosted by our other ninang, Dr. Vicki Belo, we enjoyed a Mexican fiesta. I was overjoyed to win Best Costume, but was so late that I missed cute Scarlet Snow Belo in her Frida Kahlo costume.

The Belo Medical Group is entering a new phase as it turns 30 next year. From having one small clinic at Medical Towers in Makati back in 1990, Belo now has 14 clinics and will open three more by the end of this year. This includes the biggest clinic to date at One Bonifacio in Taguig.

Belo recently held a general assembly for its 600 employees to show them how much Dr. Vicki Belo appreciates their hard work. Dr. Belo said she’s really grateful she has extra hands to make every patient feels beautiful every time they visit a Belo clinic.

During the assembly, Dr. Belo surprised everyone with a big announcement—a retirement plan for her employees!

Cheers to an exciting 2020, Belo Medical Group!

In closing, I wish you all boundless abundance, unexpected rewards, financial prosperity, and luck and blessings! Happy Thanksgiving!

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