MANILA, Philippines - Kung hei fat choi! Welcome to the Year of the Earth Rat!

It?s that time of the year when people start calling each other animal names based on one?s Chinese astrological sign. Are you a stubborn Ox, a lazy Dog or perhaps even a cunning Snake?

For me, this time of year is for initial cleansing and realignment of energies in order to benefit from the good karma of the coming New Year. In this magical universe we live in, everything is connected by energy. To harmonize the various energies around us, there is feng shui, which enhances these delicate balances in order to attract good fortune.

I was introduced to feng shui through Marites Allen, owner of World of Feng Shui (tel. 9147888).

I?d also been exposed to the basic principles of balancing yin and yang in my interior-design practice, and had previously attended the Master Practitioner Course of Lillian Too in Malaysia in 2006.

Lillian is a world-renowned feng shui writer and the founder of WOFS. She explained that feng shui is an ancient Chinese science based on viewing the universe as composed of five basic elements, each of which has either positive or negative energy, or yang-yin chi.

Neither religion nor myth, the philosophy seeks to align energies through various fundamentals and formulas. Working on the subconscious level, feng shui can enhance up to a third of one?s heavenly prospects in luck and love.

A few weeks ago, Marites shared her expertise at the Feng Shui Extravaganza at the Renaissance Hotel. I was on my way in when I made a detour to True Scents & Minerals (tel. 7559134), a makeup shop located in the hotel?s arcade. Let me also have a short segue in this article, from the cosmic to the cosmetic.

Mineral makeup

I had a smashing instant makeover using Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, a full line of makeup based on minerals.

Founder Jane Iredale was the first to supply the aesthetic industry with mineral cosmetics, having worked with world-renowned plastic surgeons and dermatologists.

Iredale Cosmetics not only keeps skin healthy and lasts all night, they are also sensitive to skin disorders and coloration. This new cosmetic technology is now available locally, thanks to Judy Barran who opened her shop in Arcade 6 of the Renaissance Hotel and soon at Urban Spa in the Shangri-La Mall.

Inquirer beauty expert?and also my pretty pregnant sister-in-law?Ria Prieto told me about mineral makeup and I am glad it?s finally available here. I am looking forward to meeting Jane Iredale this August, when she visits along with a top Hollywood makeup artist.

Where was I? Oh, feng shui. So I entered the Feng Shui Extravaganza all dolled up, greeted by an energetic Dragon Dance and an explosion of noisy drums.
Marites now has WOFS shops all over, including Cebu, and has a show every 4 p.m. on Saturdays on ANC. Her show next Saturday will even feature my ?Celebrity Duets? story.

Just before the arrival of New Year?s Day, preferably on Feb. 6, make sure to have salted fish (for abundant food); garlic (for profit); onion (for wisdom); and celery (for hard work) tied together and cooked after. Doing so signifies the family will never be short of food.

Special effort must be made to bring in new energy, so I headed to the mall for some divine enlightenment of the credit-card type. I cleaned out some closet space?not mine, but my husband Dennis??for new clothes and shoes.
New, auspicious, decorative items are displayed all over the house now. Cleansing out old energy by throwing out unwanted items and moving around furniture?it?s a great excuse to shop!

Written in the stars

Mandarin Oriental Manila continues its tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year with a bash, now on its 12th year. At the helm of the festivities is international geomancer Joseph Chaum who will kick off the ceremonies on Feb. 6 at 10:30 p.m.

The highly anticipated event, held in collaboration with Citibank, BMW, Hennessy XO, Enchanted Kingdom, Shanghai Tang, Lifestyle Network, The Body Shop and the support of Makati City, is always a spectacle of explosive merry-making. It?s the next best thing to being in Binondo!

Last week, after a relaxing massage at the hotel?s Spa, I chanced upon Master Chau.

This feng shui guru has a wealth of knowledge, and he read my charts and forecasted my highlights for this year. He said I am quite lucky that my wealth star is active, with money always flowing in. But in the same breath, he warned me that money flows out even faster!

So now I have the perfect excuse when Dennis asks why I never seem to have any money. It?s written in my stars!

Of course, not all my shopping is acquisitive. I am an eager volunteer when it comes to shopping for charity. One such event is the upcoming art auction of the Ateneo Alumni Association (AAA) for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga.

AAA is answering the challenge of making lives better in Lower Molave, Payatas by having an auction of the works of some of our country?s most renowned artists such as Fernando Amorsolo, Lao Lianben and Malang, along with young, contemporary artists.

Titled ?Simula,? the event will be held at the Serendra Sales Pavilion, 5 p.m., on Feb. 7, truly an auspicious New Year?s Day.

With the assistance of the Ateneo Art Gallery, the net proceeds will build homes and fund the community?s programs for education and leadership.

Let me end this week with a special plug for Jake Uichico, the quintessential joke-meister.

Jake is launching his first book, ?Sundot, Pindot... Hubo?t Hubad: Really Really Green Jokes,? which I gather is not about his alma mater La Salle?s school colors.

Published by All & Sundry Books and illustrated by cartoonist Elbert Or, ?Sundot, Pindot? has over 200 naughty jokes and drawings. The book launch will be on Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. at Jaymi?s Grill, 802 Arnaiz Ave., Makati.

San Francisco-based stand-up comedian Allan Manalo will be hosting the event. E-mail all.and.sundry.books@gmail.
com or check major bookstores.

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.