AS WE bid goodbye to the previous year, we embrace the new year filled with joy and happiness. Year 2013 was full of challenges.
Major disasters struck us. Locally, there was that maritime accident when two vessels, mv St. Thomas Aquinas, a passenger vessel of 2GO shipping lines, and mv Sulpicio Express Siete, a cargo vessel, collided at Lawis Ledge in Talisay City. It caused the death of tens of St. Thomas Aquinas passengers. Many are still missing.
Then a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Central Visayas. Hardest hit was the province of Bohol. Until now, some of the victims haven't recovered yet. This was followed by super typhoon Yolanda, which pummeled the Leyte and Samar provinces including the northern part of Cebu. Most of the typhoon victims are starting to rise from scratch.
I can’t say that the victims of these disasters should forget the pain and agony that they suffered. It's already part of our lives. It is not easy forget the nightmare. It will take many years before the wounds will totally heal.
But instead of recalling what happened, we should always have a positive outlook in life. We should consider all these trials as a test of our faith and determination to overcome whatever challenges that awaits us in the new year.
According to the Chinese calendar, this year is the year of the Wooden Horse. Horse is one of China’s favorite animals. In ancient times, the horse provides people with transportation before automobiles were invented. Thus, people quickly reached their destinations.
The horse even helps people win in a battle. It is a symbol of traveling competition and victory. That is why the horse is connected with speedy success by the Chinese.
Those born under this sign have strong personality. They are lucky in money as this is
a year of financial wealth. It is also a good year for those born under the years of the Tiger, the Dragon, the Snake and the Boar and is a bit better going for those born in the years of the Sheep, Ox and Monkey.
The coming year is filled with elements such as metal and fire. To give balance to it, the lucky colors are blue and yellow. (suwerte diay ang taga-Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan o BOPK ani kay blue and yellow man ilang campaign color).
Blue represents water and yellow the earth which, with metal and fire, gives balance to the year. This year will be a year of competitiveness and of jealousy, backstabbing and insecurities. (Take note: all insecure and jealous wives and husbands). But it will also be one of good relationship.
The thing with this year is that it is the year of the Wooden Horse, which represents stability, power, urgency, stubbornness, narrow-mindedness, hostility, perseverance and independence.
A good way balance all these is by using lucky charms such us a Cicada pendant. This blue lucky pendant helps drive away all the negativities of the year, giving you a happy and great year.
The Chinese believe that the spirit of the horse is energetic, bright, intelligent, able and warm-hearted, which is why this year holds a lot of opportunities for people born under it.
Kun motuo mo ani, maayo; kun dili, aw, maayo gihapon. Happy New Year to all!
(bobby.nalzaro@yahoo.com)