(as published in the July/August issue of Feng Shui World magazine)

By Chit A. Tribiana

Marites Allen's star is shining brightly in the Philippines and internationally where she practices feng shui like no other. Typical of most times, last month saw her work calendar groaning with pictorials for different newspapers and magazines, not to mention guest appearances for television shows. One such show and another newspaper article had her touring the Malacanang Museum and reporting on the feng shui of the official residence of the Philippine president. But these nuances of fame did not come easy. In a recent article for a glossy lifestyle magazine, she narrated how she successfully hurdled the challenges posed by skeptics, observing that almost all feng shui masters she studied with had to face the same dilemma. Today, she noted that the same practitioners "are being consulted by people who matter."

In the case of Marites, the people who matter compose a veritable A-list of Philippine society. Every year, her Feng Shui Convention is a gathering of loyal followers from the business, media and entertainment, and social circles. She does not hide the fact that one of the perks of her practice is the opportunity to meet movers and shakers in business and government. These include two past Philippine presidents, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, the Forbes list billionaire Henry Sy, the celebrity princess Tessa Valdes and business icon Mr. Washington Sycip, founder of SGV & Company, a leading auditing consultancy firm in Asia.

One of the most popular among her clients is her celebrity friend Queen of all media Ms. Kris Aquino, who consults with Marites on matters related to her home, most auspicious locations and layout, and for her contract signing schedules. Kris is also a fan of the annual World of Feng Shui calendar, a 'must-have' for feng shui followers published by the world-renowned Lillian Too of Malaysia. In fact, according to the Philippines' King of Talk Boy Abunda, who co-hosts Marites' Feng Shui Conventions, his best friend Kris will sign a major contract or commit to activities only if the feng shui almanac indicates that it is auspicious to do so. Kris is the youngest daughter of the beloved former Philippine President Cory Aquino who succumbed to complications of colon cancer last year.

It was this close association with the president's daughter that gave Marites some of her defining moments and lasting experiences in her feng shui career so far. In 2008 Kris requested Marites to do a destiny reading for President Cory. Among other things, Marites noted that the Earth Ox Year 2009, being a double Earth year, would be a challenging period healthwise for Mrs. Aquino. Kris then asked Marites to look into her mother's chart again and identify critical periods so that they would be ready for the inevitable. As instructed, Marites did a careful analysis and listed some days in July. ''I remember highlighting another date, August 1, because it was an extremely strong Earth day, the month and year pillar clashed and the Tiger day clashed with her Monkey sign,'' Marites recalls. On hindsight, she noted that the time of her death, 3:18 a.m. on August 1, 2009, was a Tiger hour which clashed with the Monkey. 

While the Philippines was still mourning her death, there was a growing clamor for her only son, Senator Noynoy Aquino to take up the cudgels for political change and lead the nation as President. Again, Kris asked Marites to prepare a destiny analysis to help in the decision process for Noynoy to take up the challenge. For the record, however, Marites says that the then Senatory Aquino did not have any hand in the feng shui consultations, and that it was his sister Kris, an avid feng shui follower, who was in touch with her. Nevertheless, the events that led to his candidacy up to his winning the presidential elections bore some tell-tale feng shui signs, courtesy of Marites.

He announced his candidacy on September 9, 2009 before 9:00 am, a ''Victory Day'' when all the elements were in his favour. Feng shui cures and enhancers were installed at his Times Street residence. Even the design of the yellow ribbon logo was tweaked to make it more auspicious. The original symbol looked like a horseshoe facing down. Marites advised Kris to change it such that the end bows would go up. The final logo shows exactly that, with a dove image for added lucky touch.

The reality of Philippine elections is not something even an obviously popular candidate should take for granted, however. While then Senator Aquino was leading presidential surveys, his political rivals were just as confident that one of them will emerge as the people's choice. In her destiny chart analysis of the three top presidential contenders, Marites noted that one was a weak Yin Fire person and another was a weak Yang Fire person. Given that 2010 is a favorable element period for all three contenders, Marites confidently stated that ''Senator Aquino, who is a strong Yang Fire person will outshine his opponents.'' (See Marites' blog on May 9, 2010 – a day before the election – on her website titled ''Philippine Election – A strong yang fire or a yin fire person?'')

By the time this article sees print, the Philippines would have Benigno Simeon Aquino III as its 15th president. In the midst of life's uncertainties, some things have been pre-ordained and some people are just gifted with luck to ride on the waves of destiny. Marites Allen never tires of emphasising this in her talks. This time again, she has proven herself right.

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