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Manila Bulletin devider devider Ongpin: A treasure trove of lucky charms and feng shui cures

Ongpin: A treasure trove of lucky charms and feng shui cures

Published Feb 3, 2019 08:00 am
By Ria Fernandez People who believe that luck is within reach have one must-go-to place in mind before the Chinese New Year: Ongpin Street in Binondo, Manila. Photos by Manny Llanes/ MANILA BULLETIN Photos by Manny Llanes/ MANILA BULLETIN Ongpin is a treasure trove of charms to boost one’s luck and feng shui cures to protect believers from misfortunes this Year of the Earth Pig. John Mark Dizon, 26, a pure-blooded Filipino from Davao City, said he has been visiting a charms and amulets store in Ongpin owned by Jean Yu-Chua for four years now to update his power bracelet. “Since my animal sign is the Monkey, I have protections for health and because I'm studying, I also need scholastic protection," he said. Chua's shop is also the go-to place for Filipino-Chinese Shirley Que for her all-in-one prosperity basket every year. “What's inside the basket are rice, the ang pao which we have to put 888 pesos and then some lucky charms like the pig, and then this one is for long life which everybody needs and then this one I think is for happiness, ” Que explained. According to Chua, there are also other enhancers or lucky charms which customers can choose from depending on their needs, such as a bamboo forest tree with auspicious birds for growth and prosperous business; rock salt for smooth energy and good sleep; crystals for balance; golden pig for good fortune; and, Tai Sui and Chung Kwei amulets for anti-burglary and safe travel, respectively. Meanwhile, "Rose", not her real name, opted to invest more on feng shui cures which she places in the unlucky directions in her house based on the Flying Star chart. “Actually she has been our customer for more than 10 years. Every year she really updates her house in accordance to the lucky and unlucky sectors especially that her birth year falls under the Year of the Horse so she is very concerned with the South sector of her home," Chua said. Some of the items which Rose purchased for the upcoming Chinese New Year were the golden apple to counter arguments at home; money tree for stability; victory banner for promotion luck and good income; wind horse to open doors for opportunities; holy gourd or hulu in Chinese to combat sickness; and fish enhancer for good fortune. “But of course, my number one weapon for good fortune is prayers. Next is diligence. And last is feng shui," Rose said. Chua recommends feng shui cures such as the three Celestial Guardians wind chime to be placed in the west sector to drive away the "three killings star" or loss of relationship, money, and good name; Garuda wind chime to be hung unnoticeably at the side of a door when living in the northeast; and, Buddha's foot wind chimes to be placed at the east section to ward off conflict and negative thoughts.
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