Rainforest jungles in the middle of its capital, Kuala Lumpur, share the same limelight as the impressive skyline created by key buildings like the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower. Although Islam is the state religion, Malaysians enjoy complete freedom of worship so the city landscape also has mosques, temples and churches sharing common neighborhoods.
My weeklong visit to KL was not to watch the Formula 1 races (although I would have loved to visit Sepang) or to savor its diverse range of gastronomic ethnic cuisine or to shop in the land of Jimmy Choo (yes! He is Malaysian).
Instead, together with my Bikram yoga buddy Rosan Cruz, I went there to attend the Master Practitioners Course in Feng Shui (www.wofs.com) taught by Lillian Too, the world’s best-selling feng shui author.
I got hooked during her Feng Shui Extravaganza talk in Manila early this year. World of Feng Shui (WOFS) Philippines franchise owner Marites Allen introduced me to Lillian, and I soon arranged to take her course.
The WOFS flagship store in Podium (tel. 9147888) had most of its products sold out after the session, but I started reading up Lillian’s books that dealt with interiors. I highly recommend her book, “Declutter Your Home.” She has great tips on how to create harmony by channeling chi or energy into the home and decorating with not-too-Chinese-looking remedies.
Aside from her WOFS branch in SM Cebu (tel. 2314088), Marites will soon open her newest shop in Mall of Asia next month. With all the products I bought to share with all my friends from the different animal signs of the Chinese zodiac, I might as well franchise a shop from her.
Living practice
Feng Shui is a living practice and not a religious one. It’s a study of energies and tapping these energies to live harmoniously with existing forces. With good beliefs like practicing with sincerity and having a good heart, feng shui truly works with whatever religion one practices.
Our class was so diverse, with participants from all over the world including Russia, Venezuela and Germany, to name a few. One of the Russians works here in the Philippines and can say a few Tagalog words. There were seven Pinays but only three from Manila. The rest came from as far as Qatar and the US.
The intense course was quite scientific, with precise compass readings and chart analyses to master. I still need a lot of training with proper remedies and auspicious recommendations. All I remember offhand is that the best direction for Period 8 (February 2004 onwards) is Southwest or its sub-direction Northeast. This only means that it is favorable—if one is considering buying a home—to position your main door facing these directions.
Platinum highlights
Lillian also recommended that for this year, the Year of the Fire Dog, it is auspicious to put gold on the head, meaning becoming a blonde is in! So right after I arrived home, I headed to my favorite hair place, Emphasis Salon, for master stylist Victor Ortega to make me legally blonde.
With my new platinum highlights, my ultra-dry hair needed intense hair treatment, so a week later, nourishment was supplied by Kerastase Institute at Salon ESA, 6750 Retail Arcade (tel. 8190886). Picked up by a chauffeured BMW, I got the full-service treatment starting with a hair and scalp diagnosis. The machine magnifies the scalp and hair a hundred times and checks the condition of the roots and ends. Even before the analysis, I knew my oily scalp and dry hair needed a vital lift.
Kerastase Institute owner Ed Angeles told me that aside from daily conditioning, it is necessary for colored hair to have a Vita-Ciment treatment at least once every two weeks. If golden hair will bring wealth luck, I might as well take better care of my hair.
Gold leafing
Gold in artwork is also recommended. The ongoing exhibit in the Ricco Renzo Galleries & Caffe, at LRI Business Plaza, 210 N. Garcia St., Makati, has the works of mixed media artist Tony Alcasid, older brother of popular singer Ogie. The technique of his gold leafing on his acrylic work demonstrates a form of worship and spirituality. Do check his exhibit titled “Textures & Landscapes” together with Paulino Garcia Jr. and Gerry Ingco.
To attain feng shui luck a hundredfold, the key is to do charitable work because whenever you share your blessings, more will be returned. There are numerous programs out there that help the less privileged, but one of the most successful ones is Gawad Kalinga. I have had several instances where I have helped construct a house through a bayanihan activity and it was such a fulfilling experience.
The Philippine Life Insurance Association (PLIA) recently linked up with Gawad Kalinga and pooled not only funds but also top executives’ time and effort to help the Ati community in Montalban, Rizal. Led by insurance commissioner Evangeline Escobillo and PLIA president Peter Coyiuto, the company dedicated 35 housing units. This contribution to the country’s socioeconomic development will help alleviate poverty a little at a time.
Mayor Pedro Cuerpo of Rodriguez donated the land on which the units are built. With government and nongovernment working together, an indigenous group of hunters and gatherers from Panay Island will now have roofs over their heads.
Although life insurance companies provide financial support to life’s uncertainties, PLIA head Coyiuto explained that his company has taken the initiative to help improve lives by being of service to those that cannot return the favor.
Feng shui can only be effective if charitable works are done. And if one adds fervent prayers and intentions into the mix, then many bountiful blessings will surely come one’s way.
This article was taken from INQ7.net.