Politicians bank on feng shui to win in May polls
Like any other people, politicians bank their luck this May elections to feng shui readings. Take the case of re-electionist Councilor Ely Estante who exempted himself from filing his certificate of candidacy along with his partymates last Saturday. He merely joined his group in going to the City Comelec.
Estante said March 24 is not a lucky day for him in the Year of the Fire Pig. He is set to file his certificate of candidacy on March 28 which he believes is his lucky day. However, based on the feng shui belief the lucky number in the Year of the Pig are 1,3,4,5,8,16,18,34,41 and 48. The number 8 on the other hand means great fortune in the near future.
The group led by Mayor Jerry Treñas and Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. decided to file their certificates of candidacy last Saturday believing that it was a lucky day for them as told by a feng shui expert they have consulted. They also wore green t-shirts. The green shirt is the group's campaign uniform.
The administration group however withheld the name of their feng shui consultant, perhaps to prevent others from knowing their secrets, lucky gems and rituals they must undergo in order to win.
Of the 12 candidates for councilors under the administration party, newcomer and businessman Edward Yee has a Chinese blood and has a Chinese look. He joined the group last Saturday.
To attract more luck and same time drive away bad luck, the administration group also had a lion dance and lighted firecrackers while marching their way to the City Comelec office at the Iloilo Terminal Market. Both the lion dance and firecrackers have a significance in Chinese culture.
The attitude of the local candidates is not at all different from national candidates. It is normal to see aspirants searching for their lucky day, shirt, or just about anything to attract luck in their political bid.