Feng shui master Patrick Fernandez on how to ‘seize the year’ 2025

 

RAZZLE-DAZA - Pat-P Daza - The Philippine Star 

January 27, 2025 | 12:00am

Patrick Lim Fernandez of Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony combines classical feng shui concepts with a background in finance and real estate to produce fundamentally sound feng shui recommendations.

Kung Hei Fat Choi, or Gong Xi Fa Cai, dear readers! The Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, Jan. 29, marking the start of the Year of the Wood Snake. As I’ve done in previous years, I’ve asked Patrick Fernandez of Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony to share his knowledge and guide us on how we can “seize the year” and be more prosperous according to our Chinese zodiac signs. The floor is yours, my friend.

2025 marks the beginning of the summer period of the Chinese Zodiac. The Snake is the first of the summer triumvirate, followed by the Horse and the Goat. As such, there is a strong Fire energy brought about by the Snake, which is fanned even more by the Yin Wood influence of the year.

So, what are the prevalent energies that are present this year that we should maximize? One is to work through others to meet your objectives. The Yin Wood influence of the year emanates a strong collaborative spirit that brings people together. So focus on building genuine connections and fostering meaningful relationships within your professional and personal circles. Also actively seek ways to connect others who might benefit from knowing each other.

Another is to practice long-term thinking and patience. Consider the broader implications and potential long-term impacts of your decisions. Develop strategies that account for various future scenarios and possibilities. Invest time in learning principles that will remain relevant over time.

Industries that look to do well this year are the Water element industries such as hospitality, supermarkets, trading, sales, hygiene and analytics.

Other industries that also look to do well are the Metal industries: Banking/finance, automobile, mining/machinery, jewelry, armed forces, skin care/beauty products, and medical/dental industry.

As we had mentioned last year, through the year 2044, these are some major trends that are present for Trend 9. One is that there are certain industries tied to Fire that will be more prominent than others. These include enterprises that specialize in, or can smartly leverage Technology, including AI and virtual commerce. Others are communication, energy, entertainment, events, the food industry, politics and aviation, even things related to space.

Aligning with these business and industry trends will be beneficial for you and for your business or career. There is also a strong Yin energy tied to this period, which is tied to the Female energy. So we will see the continued rise and prominence of female energy in different areas.

Lastly, there will be an evolving Sense of Self this period. For one, people will become more independent and would want to do things on their own. Additionally, one’s reputation or influence will become a more valuable asset, so cultivating and preserving this will take more importance. There looks to be a rise in spirituality or looking inward and seeking answers for purpose and meaning. Overall, there are quite a number of exciting energies for everyone to look forward to.

Below is a summary of the main energies present for each Zodiac Animal sign.

RAT: The Jade Hall Aspiring Star brings forth a year ripe for wealth building and asset growth. This optimal period encourages bold investment ventures while emphasizing the importance of personal development and learning. Adding a “FAT FAT” Wealth Enhancer can amplify financial opportunities, though careful planning remains essential.

OX: The Canopy Top Star radiates creative vitality, empowering artistic expression and innovation. Often called the Artist Star, it energizes those in entertainment, music, visual arts, film, writing, advertising, and design. Even for those outside creative fields, this astral force opens pathways for personal growth through education and skill development. While this artistic energy may lead to solitude, maintaining social connections and spiritual exploration remains essential.

TIGER: The Heavenly Benevolent Star brings supportive energy, dissolving troubles and serving as a protective shield. Its power helps transform adversity into opportunities while enhancing problem-solving abilities. A Wood Benefactor Dragon can attract positive influences and like-minded individuals. Clear communication of needs and aspirations remains vital for harnessing support and achieving success through collaboration.

RABBIT: The Fortune Virtue Star forecasts a favorable financial landscape, guiding the path to wealth building and future security. It unveils fresh income sources and investment opportunities. This astral energy also hints at career advancements through promotions or raises. Success stems from clear financial planning, budgeting, and strategic investment choices aligned with long-term objectives.

DRAGON: The Heavenly Happiness Star presages a time of joy, celebration, and meaningful connections. For singles, it promises potential romantic bonds through social activities and community involvement. Those in relationships may find opportunities to deepen their bond through marriage or family planning. This astral force enhances social connections, fostering new friendships and strengthening existing ones.

SNAKE: The zodiac year brings a unique interplay of fortune and challenge during personal alignment periods. This timing creates heightened visibility while requiring adaptability and mindful decision-making. Though fluctuations in luck may occur, this phase offers opportunities for growth, self-discovery and showcasing talents, provided one navigates with grace and consultation from trusted advisors.

HORSE: The Great Sun Star heralds a year of promise, radiating positive energy and dispelling negativity. It suggests embracing morning sunlight for rejuvenation and nurturing male relationships for wisdom and camaraderie. Like the life-giving sun, this astral force illuminates opportunities and strengthens one’s spirit through natural and social connections.

GOAT: The Earth Anticipation Star signals challenges in social relationships and family dynamics, particularly regarding elderly relatives who may need increased care. This period calls for reassessing friendships while managing potential household disputes through patient communication. Though turbulent, these challenges offer opportunities for strengthening bonds and personal development.

MONKEY: The Great Moon Star promises enhanced wealth and opportunities through female influence. This astral power aids in career decisions, particularly in hiring, while fostering romantic connections. It favors evening networking and investments in female-centric markets like beauty and wellness. Success comes through balancing business and personal boundaries.

ROOSTER: The Three Accomplishment Star brings advancement in career, business, and academic pursuits. It favors educational excellence and skill development while supporting career growth and recognition. A Long Yue or Promotion Dollar placement can enhance success, while maintaining positive workplace relationships proves essential for collective achievement.

DOG: The Authority & Fame Star enables leadership capabilities and professional advancement. This astral energy supports implementing pending plans while emphasizing the need to prioritize multiple goals. Success comes through focused, systematic approaches to objectives rather than pursuing all opportunities simultaneously.

PIG: The National Treasure Star heralds an opportunity to demonstrate leadership while emphasizing collaborative abilities. This pattern supports career advancement and social standing enhancement. Power & Authority Seals placement reinforces leadership potential and the valuable skill of working harmoniously with diverse personalities.

Patrick Lim Fernandez holds degrees in Management Engineering and Economics (Honors) from the Ateneo de Manila University, an MBA from the University of California and advanced courses from Stanford and MIT. He recently completed a Master’s degree in Data Science at Harvard University. His Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony is located at the New World Hotel, Makati with tel. no. (632) 752-5882 to book an appointment.

A walk in the park: The need for urban green spaces

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Jan 26, 2025 00:13 AM 

 

Today, we pause to remind ourselves of the value of parks or green spaces in our communities, and the benefits of taking a walk.
In the rapidly urbanizing landscape of the Philippines, parks and green spaces are not mere luxuries but essential components of sustainable city living. They offer a multitude of benefits, from enhancing public health to mitigating environmental challenges. However, the availability and accessibility of these green areas in major Philippine cities remain a pressing concern.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum of nine square meters of green space per person within a 15-minute walking distance. Unfortunately, many urban areas in the Philippines fall short of this standard. For instance, Metro Manila has been reported to have only about five square meters of green space per person, which is below the WHO’s recommended minimum. 

Quezon City, one of Metro Manila’s largest cities, has a total green space of 23 percent and a tree coverage of 20 percent.  While this is a positive indicator, it still underscores the need for more accessible green areas across the metropolis.

The health benefits that parks and green spaces provide are well known facts.  Activities like walking in parks or engaging in “forest bathing” (immersing oneself in a forest environment) have been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety, and boost immune function. 

Walking, the most basic form of physical activity, is an often underestimated yet incredibly powerful way to improve overall well-being. It requires no fancy equipment, no gym memberships, and no specialized training—just a comfortable pair of shoes and the willingness to take that first step. 

Walking outdoors amplifies these effects. Spending time in nature, whether in a park, along a tree-lined street, or on a beach, helps soothe the mind and provide a sense of calm.

If there are no green spaces nearby, perhaps it is time for you to suggest to your barangay or local government unit to dedicate space for that. Parks also serve as communal areas where people from diverse backgrounds can interact, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

It is also important to remind our community and city officials of the environmental benefits of more green spaces in our communities. Green spaces act as the lungs of a city, improving air quality by filtering pollutants and providing shade, which helps regulate urban temperatures.

Despite the recognized benefits, the distribution and availability of parks across the Philippines are uneven. Rapid urbanization has often prioritized commercial and residential developments over the preservation of green spaces. This imbalance not only deprives residents of the associated health and environmental benefits but also exacerbates urban problems like poor air quality.

Both government entities and the private sector have important roles in integrating green spaces into urban planning. For example, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity has set a target to increase green spaces in the five largest cities by five percent by 2028.

Parks and green spaces are indispensable assets in urban settings, offering extensive benefits that enhance the quality of life for residents. As the Philippines continues to urbanize, it is imperative for both government and private sectors to recognize the value of these green areas and ensure their integration into urban development plans. By doing so, we can create healthier, more sustainable cities that cater to the well-being of their inhabitants.

K-pop girl group Kiss of Life to hold first world tour in Manila

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Jan 26, 2025 08:26 PM 

K-pop girl group Kiss of Life, composed of Julie, Natty, Belle and Haneul, will be holding their first world tour in Manila in April. 

They will stage their “Kiss Road” 1st World Tour in Manila on April 4, 7:30 p.m., at the UP Theater, organized by Three Angles Production. 

Kiss of Life made their debut in the music industry in July 2023. In just a year, they won the Best Artist Award at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards. They also bagged the Global Rising Artist award at the 2023 Hanteo Music Awards. 

At the 39th Golden Disc Awards held this month, Kiss of Life won the Next Generation Award. 

Kiss of Life holding their Next Generation Award trophy at the 39th Golden Disc Awards held this month. (X) 

They also won Best New Artist at the 2024 Korea First Brand Award, a main prize at the K-World Dream Awards, and the Best Music Award at the 6th ENA K-POP Chart Show. 

Their tracks and various content from their music videos to their live performances, sparks their strong presence and fierce attitude. Their love for music, producing, and performing are expressed through their overwhelming vocal skills and hip performances, captivating the eyes and ears of fans worldwide. 

Ticket prices for the show range from P4,500 to P11,500. Tickets will be available starting at noon on Feb. 16 at tapyourtickets.com.

 

National Plastic Action Partnership: Tackling a problem that’s getting bigger

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Jan 25, 2025 00:05 AM 

It’s a long known fact that the country has a mounting plastic waste problem. 

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines generates an estimated 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, ranking as one of the top contributors to marine plastic pollution globally. Of this waste, only nine percent is recycled, with 35 percent leaking into the environment, and 33 percent ending up in landfills or dumpsites. The daily waste generation stands at 61,000 metric tons, of which 12 to 24 percent is plastic.

The mismanagement of plastic waste contributes to clogged waterways, frequent flooding, and environmental degradation. Vulnerable coastal communities bear the brunt of these impacts, underscoring the socio-economic and public health dimensions of the crisis.

Many programs have been conducted to mitigate the problem.  There are laws and policies to manage the disposal of solid waste, including a resolution to ban single-use plastics.  There have been many educational campaigns to boost awareness and encourage public action, especially a change of behavior that supports recycling and reusing.  And yet, the plastic waste problem has not been solved, it has only worsened.

On Jan. 23, the DENR launched the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Philippines, taking a significant step in addressing the country’s mounting plastic waste crisis. This initiative, supported by the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership, the UK and Canadian governments, and the Coca-Cola Foundation, represents a multi-sectoral effort to curb plastic pollution and foster a circular economy.

NPAP aims to unite leaders from government, businesses, development organizations, and civil society to develop sustainable solutions for plastic waste. The focus of this initiative is the transition to a circular economy, which emphasizes reusing, recycling, and minimizing waste. By shifting from the traditional linear model of production and disposal, the NPAP seeks to transform waste into valuable resources. 

The partnership will start with the National Plastics Action Roadmap, set for completion by August. This roadmap will provide a baseline assessment of the plastic waste situation, identify investment requirements, and outline financing strategies. It will serve as a comprehensive guide for stakeholders to align their actions with the NPAP’s objectives.

A key goal of the partnership is the enforcement of Republic Act No. 11898, or the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022. This law holds large corporations accountable for the lifecycle of their plastic products, mandating recovery and diversion targets of at least 20 percent of their plastic footprint by 2023, increasing to 40 percent  by 2024. As of May 2024, 917 companies had registered under the EPR program, and the DENR has committed to issuing notices of violation to non-compliant entities.
Through the NPAP, the DENR aims to address gaps in EPR implementation, strengthen compliance mechanisms, and develop policies to incentivize companies. This alignment ensures that the NPAP not only complements the EPR Act but also amplifies its impact by fostering collaboration across industries and government agencies.

The focus on promoting a circular economy and enforcing the EPR Act will pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future. However, the road ahead requires collective action and urgency.

As DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga emphasized during the NPAP launch: “Together, we have the capacity to mitigate the devastating impacts of plastic pollution and foster a legacy of sustainability for future generations.”

With a clear roadmap, robust policies, and the cooperation of all sectors of society, we can address one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Timeless songs of love and hopeless romantics

Celeste Legaspi and Odette Quesada receive the Ryan Cayabyab Awards

BY RICA AREVALO

Jan 25, 2025 06:23 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• It was a blast for hopeless romantic music fans at the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival (PPMF) 2024. 

It was a blast for hopeless romantic music fans at the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival (PPMF) 2024 when the Ryan Cayabyab Awards gave tribute to timeless Filipino music legends Celeste Legaspi and Odette Quesada at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center.

 

A TRUE ICON Celeste Legaspi

 

To honor the founder of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), Celeste Legaspi, her manager and friend Girlie Rodis recalls how she had a front row seat to almost everything Celeste has accomplished and continues to achieve. “Everybody from the boomers, Gen Xs, millennials, to Gen Alphas know Celeste’s songs.”

 

Celeste Legaspi was ecstatic with her friends’ participation in the tribute. “I started in St Paul College Quezon City, in an operetta,” she shares. “I was not the lead so I memorized all the lines---in case madapayung lead, handana ko (In case, the lead suffers an accident, I am ready),” the 74-year-old icon reveals. “After that, I went to St. Paul College Manila and between that, I was very fortunate to be immersed in community theater by Dr Felicidad Mendoza. I was doing comedia,” Celeste muses. 

 

“Loving Filipino music, Filipino lyrics in particular, then very beautiful, wonderful people worked with me,” she reminisced. “And they all became National Artists, how lucky can I be? I will always be grateful to Rolando (Tinio), Lino (Brocka) and then, Ryan (Cayabyab).”

 

For the second part of the program, Odette Quesada was honored as a timeless composer and singer. 

 

QUEEN OF PHILIPPINE POP BALLADS Odette Quesada

 

Entertainment editor Rito Asilo has written many articles about the "Queen of Philippine Pop Ballads. “You don’t have to know her for her songs to resonate with you,” he thinks. “When you listen or sing along to them, she makes you feel as if she wrote the songs specifically for you.” 

 

Her album, Hopeless Romantic had Don't Know What To Say (Don't Know What To Do), I Need You Back, and Friend of Mine, among others. “It’s really that alluring confluence of nostalgia, the gorgeous melodies, the relatable lyrics of loving, losing and of moving on,” tells Rito. “Kuhang kuha niya ang sensibilidad at puso ng Pinoy music lovers that we are a nation of hopeless romantics (She got the sensibility and heart of the Filipino music lovers).” 

 

Kuh Ledesma joined the sixth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival when Odette asked her to sing “Till I Met You.” “Ayoko ng mga contests, nakakanerbiyos (I do not like contests, it makes me nervous),” confesses Kuh. “Dinala niya ‘yung kanyang powerful weapon---dinala niya ‘yung Lola niya, (She brought her powerful weapon---her grandmother),” she adds. Kuh cannot say no because she was also close to her grandparent. “Nanalo kami ng first prize (We won first prize),” smiles Kuh.

 

“I was a lanky, awkward 16-year-old when I joined Metropop a little over 40 years ago while I am still a lanky 60-year-old now standing in front of you,” Odette confesses on stage. “Who would guess that about 43 years later, my songs are still being discovered, sung, and listed to by you folks and your kids eventually your grandkids,” she evokes.

 

That is what Filipino music is. It travels through time and takes you along with it.

 

“My career wouldn’t be possible without my Lola Dorothea, without her tsinelas on top of the piano and the constant nagging to practice the piano and her unwavering belief that I should be a singer as well,” admits the 60-year-old ballad singer. “She was my first fan.”

 

Odette also thanked all the singers she met in the 1980s who sang her songs---Ric Segreto, Kuh Ledesma, Raymond Lauchengco, Sharon Cuneta, Vernie Varga, and Gary Valenciano. “Thank you for singing my songs and making a hit of them,” she ponders. She also praised her old professor National Artist Ryan Cayabyab for giving her the award. “Only I can fail in the music composition class of Mr. Cayabyab and still come a winner,” Odette smiles. “That’s magic right.

P.S.: Check out www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .

Oscar-nominated film ‘A Real Pain’ to hit PH cinemas

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Jan 24, 2025 11:48 PM 

“A Real Pain,” which recently bagged nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, will hit Philippine cinemas. 

Ayala Malls Cinemas will exclusively bring the comedy-drama film, directed by Jesse Eisenberg, to cinemas on Jan. 29. 

“A Real Pain,” directed by Jesse Eisenberg.

The movie stars Eisenberg, Jennifer Grey, Will Sharpe, and Kieran Culkin, who won the Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in the film. 

“A Real Pain” was also nominated for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), Screen Actors Guild Awards, Independent Spirit Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards. 

At the 97th Academy Awards, the film received nominations for Best Supporting Actor for Culkin and Best Original Screenplay for Eisenberg. 

"A Real Pain" (Ayala Malls Cinemas)

“A Real Pain,” co-produced by Emma Stone’s Fruit Tree (“Poor Things,” “I Saw the TV Glow”), is part of Ayala Malls Cinemas’ lineup of critically acclaimed awards-season films, which this year also includes “Anora.”

It was during a trip to Poland with his now-wife that Eisenberg had what he calls a “strange revelation” that began his creative journey for “A Real Pain.” 

A two-week trip through the country landed him at the tiny house in the village of Kranystaw, where his aunt Doris had lived before the Holocaust displaced her entire family. 

“Had the war not happened, this is where I would be living,” Eisenberg remembers thinking. “What would my life be like? Who would I be?”

Two decades later, Eisenberg found himself back at that house, this time as the director, writer, and co-star of “A Real Pain.” 

In the film Eisenberg plays David, a New Yorker and young father who goes on a tour of Polish Holocaust history accompanied by his cousin Benji, played by Kieran Culkin, thanks to money left by their recently deceased grandmother. 

Joining a tour group led by the affable James, played by Will Sharpe, David and Benji rekindle their childhood bonds as they grapple with the family tragedies of the past that still, in some ways, define them.

“A Real Pain” currently has a 96 percent Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

“‘A Real Pain’ is a real treat, a tender, funny treatise on family jealousies and our relationship to the past. Simultaneously light and heavy, it soars on the stellar pairing of Eisenberg and Culkin,” said Empire magazine in their review.

With its exclusive offerings of award-winning films, Ayala Malls Cinemas has become a premier destination for quality experience at the movies.

Featuring plush seating and generous legroom, coupled with cutting-edge laser projections for sharper images, and top-notch Dolby Sound and Dolby Atmos technologies to enhance audio depth, moviegoers are in for an exceptional cinematic experience. 

Cinema patrons can enjoy a variety of delicious treats from The Movie Snackbar, such as different-flavored popcorn, hotdog sandwiches, yummy burgers and ice-cold beverages.

Tickets can be booked at www.sureseats.com or any of the participating cinemas. 

World hiphop dance champion Gela Atayde thanks ABS-CBN for 'Time to Dance'

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Jan 25, 2025 08:35 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Gela’s host partner in the newest dance show is Robi Domingo, and the judges are Ken San Jose and Vimi Rivera. 

Gela Atayde

World hip-hop dance champion Gela Atayde took a moment over the weekend to express her heartfelt gratitude to ABS-CBN for their generous support. 

Gela emphasized how the network's platform has enabled her to inspire and uplift aspiring dancers across the country. 

Through their collaboration, Gela has been able to share her journey, skills, and passion for dance, offering hope and encouragement to countless individuals looking to pursue their dreams in the vibrant world of dance.

Atayde, the youngest daughter of veteran actress and film producer Sylvia Sanchez and businessman Art Atayde, said she was pleased and satisfied to host the survival dance reality show “Time to Dance” of ABS CBN and Nathan Studios that started last Saturday night.

“All I want is really to front all the dancers here. It is really their show. I am very excited to showcase their journeys and hope their stories will inspire the viewers,” the 22-year-old De La Salle University AB Communication Arts student said during the show’s last week news conference.

“They can surely relate to the life of the dancers. Their stories must be seen and must be heard by the people especially in the dance community. It’s really great to be a part of this. I am very thankful to ABS CBN,” Gela explained as she emphasized her great passion for the show.

Robi Domingo and Gela Atayde

Gela’s host partner in the newest dance show is Robi Domingo, and the judges are Ken San Jose and Vimi Rivera. 

Gela, a two-way talent from being a young actress and new generation dance champion, admitted that she really loves acting but dancing is close to her heart, hoping she could excel in both worlds at the same time.

“Dancing is close to my heart, but then first love ko is acting, they would expose me to teleseryes. That is my ultimate dream, but upon entering, i want to showcase this talent of mine, masarap makilala bilang dancer, but bilang artista, this is something I want to work. Gusto ko na pong umarte.”

She also recommended that the show’s participants trust themselves during preparation and training to make their performance extra special.

“Do it alone, do it scare, and do it with pride. Just do it. Just trust your body because if you know that you rehearse enough and you do very well in practice and training, it will come out during the contest on stage,” Gela explained.

Gela also thanked Star Magic, mom Sylvia Sanchez, Direk Lauren Dyogi for believing in her and conceptualizing the program and its collaboration with different productions. She considered the project as an advocacy as a part of the community and being in a team.

Gela Atayde

“I see the ins and outs, yung mga kulang at sobra. I want to do this as I want to be able to help those who want to learn about dance and inspire,” she added. “Again, I am very grateful for the opportunity.” 

Gela is also part of the country’s dance group Legit Status, which won the 2023 World Hiphop Dance Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, beating 54 other dance groups from all over the world.

As the new generation dance champion, she said there is always a sense of humility since it is hard to believe that she deserves many things that come for her.

“I am grateful na binigay po sa akin, it is something that a champion, for me, people will look up to you. I do live by the title now that is given to me,” Gela said, who is hoping to have a future dance collaboration with Sarah Geronimo, Billy Crawford, and Gary “Mr. Pure Energy” Valenciano.