IF MODERATION and caution dominated the mood in the Year of the Ox, then flexibility and ability to adapt to rapid changes will dictate the tempo in the Year of the Tiger.
According to feng shui experts or geomancers, the Year of the white Yang Metal Tiger is one of conflict (aggression between people or nations, natural and man-made disasters) as well as significant change (new leaders coming into power and political riots in many countries).
“The coming year will be the year that Asians fear,” said local feng shui expert Marites Allen. “It will bring political riots in many countries, especially in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand where there might be political instability and leadership changes.”
Bringing conflict to the region is the violent star, which is expected to hit the southeast direction, said Allen, who is also president and CEO of the World of Feng Shui Philippines.
“There might be chaos in air currents with strong winds and heavy rains causing disasters and rapid spread of diseases, especially in Japan, Canada, America, India, Africa, Southeast Asia and the northern and southern regions of China,” she said.
Love, new beginnings
But when it comes to love and romance, the Year of the Tiger appears promising. Quite auspiciously, it will start on Feb. 14, St. Valentine’s Day.
Thus, to express feelings of love and desire is written in the stars.
The Year of the brave, flamboyant, dynamic and adventurous Tiger is also marked by renewal, initiative and new beginnings—great for private firms looking to get back on the growth path after taking a forced detour in 2008 and 2009 because of the global financial crisis.
It will be especially favorable for those in the earth, metal and fire sectors, such as electronics and communication, energy, real estate, automotive, banking and finance, said Canada-based geomancer Paul Ng.
Leadership change
The head honchos of leading corporations agreed that 2010 would be a better year overall for their companies and the Philippines itself.
The impending change in political leadership was seen as a catalyzing factor.
Rex C. Drilon II, chief operating officer of Ortigas and Co., said the May elections would make a significant impact on the growth performance in 2010.
“Given the unpopularity of the present leadership, the widespread disconnect between the governors and the governed, the weakened institutions, legitimacy and credibility issues and wrong values modelled by many of the political elite—all these can be reversed if we elect new leaders with character, who are competent, committed and with a strong sense of country. Positive prospects, if the surveys are to be believed,” Drilon said, adding:
“The basic measures of a country’s performance revolve around three major facets of national life—political, social and economic. In addition, the quality of governance and the level of responsible citizenship also determine the fate of a nation. If these are to be the measuring sticks, the Philippines will definitely be better in 2010 compared to 2009.”
‘Super’ year
Jose Concepcion III, chief executive of RFM Corp., said he was looking at a “super” year and not just a good year.
His forecast: “We will see a renewed confidence with a new president coming in. We will see commodities maintain more or less the same levels we had in 2009. I do not expect to see an abnormal increase in inflation. Interest rates will continue to be low; the peso will hover between P45 and P48 to the US dollar through the year. Remittances from overseas will continue to grow and the Philippines will continue to benefit from the outsourcing being done in America and other countries.”
Concepcion also predicted a continuing growth in foreign investments that would benefit the tourism sector.
“Yes, 2010 will be a great year. In fact, a super year,” he said.
Avelino L. Zapanta, chief executive of Southeast Asian Airlines, also emphasized the good that would come out of having a new president.
“2010 will be better. The world economy is improving and the elections will spur consumption. And any new administration will be better than the current one,” Zapanta said.
Jose L. Cuisia Jr., chief executive of the Philamlife Group and a former central bank governor, also citing the positive impact of new leadership.
“I definitely think 2010 will be better than 2009 because we will probably see a better Philippine economic performance as the global economic recovery gains momentum,” said Cuisia, who also chairs the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections.
“More importantly, we will see a change in national leadership, which I am sure will practice much better governance than the current national leadership,” he said.
No more Armageddon
Erramon I. Aboitiz, chief executive of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, which is heavily into renewable energy, told the Inquirer that 2010 would be better primarily because of the disappearance of the “scare factor.”
“Everyone has written off Armageddon, and this is reflected in the financial markets. 2009 was also a year of adjustments of inventories, consumption and production,” Aboitiz said.
He added: “In 2010, we expect growth to be spotty, which will require businesses to operate smarter and more cautiously.
“The Philippine economy and its stakeholders seem to be in good shape. We are, therefore, optimistic and excited about the prospects in 2010.”
Danilo Ignacio, president of Eton Properties Corp., agreed with the view that the real estate sector would benefit from the good vibrations in 2010.
Ignacio said Eton Properties was planning “at least five new projects in 2010.”
“I am optimistic that the strength and resilience shown in 2009 by the Philippine economy and the real estate market will continue. In 2009, investment in real estate proved to be among the best instruments as prices went up while most others went down. I expect the real estate market to further grow as a sign of our continued confidence in the Philippine economy,” he said.
Even better numbers
The Ortigas group of companies, which is also into real estate, is likewise looking forward to an even better performance in 2010.
Said Drilon: “Economically, we survived a tough 2009. Our gross domestic product and gross national product numbers were better than most of our neighbors, and in 2010, the numbers will even be better.”
Despite the “huge budget deficit,” he said, “the momentum of the remittances, continuing growth in tourism receipts and revenues from the business process outsourcing sector will carry through to 2010 in even bigger numbers.”
He pointed out that gross international reserves were already exceeding seven months of imports, that balance of payments remained positive, and that the Philippines’ credit rating was “improving.”
“We will definitely be better, economically speaking, next year,” Drilon said.
For Roberto Claudio, chair of the Toby’s group of companies, Filipinos and Philippine companies should greet 2010 “running.”
“Business activities should start grinding again. Our country just escaped recession, so we should start 2010 running and not limping. It is also an election year, so consumer confidence should be up, not just because of election spending, but also because of the positive change that will happen.” Claudio said.
He added: “We just all have to be confident that as a people, we will move forward and progress.
“And for me, it is not a question of whether 2010 will be a better year than 2009. It is about how we can all contribute to make 2010 a better year.”
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