by Tina Arceo-Dumlao, Sunday Biz, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 07 January 2018

Ref: http://business.inquirer.net/243670/agri-gets-lady-lucks-favor-2018

The luckiest sectors in 2018 are also among the most basic such as agriculture.

So if you have extra money and looking to invest in a venture in the coming Year of the Earth Dog, feng shui master Marites Allen suggests that you put it in industries that are strongly allied with the wood element, the most fortuitous in 2018.

During the 13th Philippine Feng Shui Convention at the Marco Polo Ortigas yesterday, Allen shares that the wood industries that “will do very well” in 2018 include agriculture, publishing, teaching, fashion, education, clothing, textile and office supplies.

“The wood element is the strongest and most dominant in 2018, so this bodes well for fashion, agriculture, media and education factors. There is a bullish forecast for these industries in 2018,” says Allen.

The second best element in 2018 is earth, thus the prediction that “good prospects” abound for those industries that have strong earth elements. These include real estate development, construction, storage and warehousing, hospitality and recycling.

Pawnshops and those producing ceramics, marble, pottery and building materials should also do well in the Year of the Earth Dog.

Also worth considering this 2018 are industries with the fire element, which should have “plenty of opportunities” in 2018. These sectors include fuel production and distribution, entertainment, broadcasting, food processing, solar energy, movie production, restaurants and power generation.

On the other hand, investors looking to cash in on prospects in the “water” industries may do well to reconsider as these sectors are expected to just have “average luck” in 2018.

These industries with water elements include those in beauty or cosmetics, cold beverages, cleaning services, shipping, spas, airconditioning, railways and hauling.

Best to be avoided for the meantime are the “metal” industries, which promise to be “heavenly challenged” in the Year of the Earth Dog, which will commence on Feb. 16.

 These include automobile production, banking, accounting, mining, architecture, mechanical engineering, molding, machining and hardware production.

But overall, Allen says that 2018 should be good for the Philippines because of the presence of the “triumphant prosperity star number 9” in the center of the chart for 2018.

“The spring and summer seasons always bring positive outlook for the market. The Philippines and Asia will still be among the best-performing markets compared to the rest of the world,” Allen says in her general outlook for 2018.

She expects more Filipinos to try their hand at going into business this year, and lady luck may just smile on them.

“There will be a lot of self-discovery this year, of self awareness, as well as changes to lifestyles,” says Allen, “More people will consider starting a new hobby or go into business.”