WELCOME THE DRAGON 2012 lunar year: ‘Fortune, turbulence’

Make sure you have plenty of food on the table and the family is complete when the New Year starts. This is traditional wisdom for Cebuano-Chinese families to start 2012 on the right foot. “At home we make sure to serve many dishes on the table to be shared and enjoyed by everyone in the house,” said Melanie Ng, president of the Philippine Retailers Association Cebu chapter. “We always look forward to going to our parents' house because my mom only makes Chinese lumpia once a year. It's a family custom.” The new lunar year in the Chinese calendar actually starts on Jan. 23, ushering in the year of the water dragon. Among the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, the dragon is the main symbol of good fortune and is a celestial creature in contrast to the fire-breathing wicked dragon of Western mythology. Dragon years are considered auspicious for new businesses, marriage and children. The Water Dragon occurs every 60 years. In her website, Manila-based feng shui expert Marites Allen said that since 2012 is a water dragon year, it would be good for wood-based industries like agriculture, publishing and fashion. Having an abundant table and family members together at the stroke of midnight to welcome Jan. 1 is a custom as well in Filipino households, accompanied with wishes for a bountiful year ahead. “This is believed to bring good luck for the New Year, a bountiful 2012 with strengthened family bonds,” said Ng, who owns a fashion accessories shop and novelty gift store in major malls. Eric Mendoza, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will be celebrating the New Year by opening his new business enterprise. “It’s called Amnesia. It’s a club, dining place, KTV all in one and we will be doing a count-down to New Year there,” said Mendoza. At home, Mendoza said the family will prepare 13 types of round fruit—grapes, apples, mangoes or whatever is in season. “We always prepare circle-shaped or round fruits because it’s believed to bring unending luck for the family that prepares it,” he said. Chicken dishes are discouraged because of the belief that it symbolizes a difficult life or “isang kahig, isang tuka.” Dishes made of sticky rice like biko or tikoy are preferred, to strengthen family bonds, said Ng. Lighting firecrackers and pyrotechnics is a traditional Chinese practice believed to drive evil spirits out of one's home and to let in positive energy. “All the lights at home are switched on. Car engines are turned on, and everyone makes noise. Some toss coins for more good luck,” said Mendoza. For both Ng and Mendoza, 2012 will be an auspicious year that offers much promise for those who work hard and are ready to sacrifice. “There are many opportunities that we see will open up in 2012 and it’s up to you how to grab these opportunities,” said Ng. Year 2012, the year of the Water Dragon, is a year of empowerment and change, according to fen shui experts. The water dragon, a mythical creature, has enough courage to face challenges and easily finds weak points that stand in his way to success. In her website, international feng shui expert Marites Allen said health will be at risk in the Year of the Water Dragon especially for those born in the Year of the Rat. She also forecast that the stock market would suffer in the first quarter. Dragon years have also been associated with earthquakes recorded in the years 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 and 2000. Allen said that since 2012 is a water dragon year, it would be good for wood-based industries like agriculture, publishing, and fashion. She advised that to balance life energies, one should wear colors red, pink and orange not only on the Chinese New Year on January 23 in order to infuse the fire element. “The year 2012 will be a generally favorable for those born in the year of the Tiger, Rabbit, Horse and Sheep,” said Allen She said 2012 is a “year of transformation” as that its elements signify continuing disharmony between and within the public and private sector. /By Aileen Garcia-Yap, Reporter with report from Hannah Aranas