Gordon’s luck in the stars but not in poll surveys

by Tina Arceo-Dumlao, Cathy C. Yamsuan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100205-251372/Gordons-luck-in-the-stars-but-not-in-poll-surveys

MANILA, Philippines—If the stars are to be believed, Sen. Richard Gordon is the luckiest of the candidates seeking the presidency in May.

That’s because in the coming Year of the Golden Tiger, the “benefactor star” will smile on those born in the Year of the Rooster, like Gordon.

“The benefactor star means that there will be a lot of people who will be willing to help him achieve his goals,” feng shui practitioner Joseph Chau said Thursday at Mandarin Oriental hotel in Makati City.

The Hong Kong-based geomancer said the luck of the Rooster in the Year of the Golden Tiger was quite good. “If they are not too greedy, then it is sure that this year will be a stable and pretty good year for Roosters,” he added.

That’s welcome news for Gordon, who is faring poorly in opinion polls. In the latest nationwide survey conducted by the private polling firm Pulse Asia Inc. last month, only 1 percent of the respondents said that their preferred presidential candidate was Gordon.
There’s a law

“To what extent do you believe the surveys?” Gordon asked at a forum organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) on Wednesday night.

“There’s a law against them. That’s a fact but the Supreme Court says it’s a violation of the right to information,” he said.

Gordon recalled that when he ran for senator in 2004, the surveys at that time placed him 29th. But he was fifth in the final count of the Commission on Elections. “Look at the track record,” he added with a voice several decibels higher.

“You want to go for the winner just because his ratings are higher? Even if he’s the wrong [choice]? Go ahead,” Gordon told the MOPC audience.

“A black man is now president of the United States. He used to be behind Hillary (Clinton) and John McCain (in the surveys) until (George W.) Bush tripped all over the place,” Gordon added.

Villar, Estrada

Chau said Manny Villar and Joseph Estrada—both born in the Year of the Ox—would not be as lucky because of the presence of the “antagonistic star” that will affect their luck, although this year should be better than the last because some “lucky signs are shining brightly” on the Ox.”

“The Ox has a slight conflict with the Golden Tiger this year and due to the presence of the antagonistic star, they should be cautious in whatever they do and they should be more conservative in handling their work and business,” said Chau, who has been practicing feng shui for 30 years.

Teodoro

Dragons like Gilbert Teodoro are also in for a challenging year.

“Dragons are surrounded by more unlucky stars than benevolent stars” in the Year of the Tiger, which will officially start on Feb. 14, Chau said.

He said Dragons should keep this in mind and prepare themselves to undergo many tough challenges and obstacles during the year.

“They should take these challenges as training for them in being more patient and persistent. They need to work harder than other people, and the busier they are, the more luck they will have,” Chau said.

Chau said those born in the Year of the Dog—like Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Sen. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, JC de los Reyes and Vetellano Acosta—should also brace themselves for a “stressful year” as they would face many challenges.

Attend happy events

“To enhance their luck, they have to attend more happy events, such as a wedding, birthday party, anniversary party or graduation party,” Chau said.

“They should also be smart enough to observe people, especially their superiors and colleagues, so that they can avoid unnecessary gossip and conflict,” he added.

But one thing going for the Dog people is the presence of the “promotion star.” This means that they will become more known or famous in the Year of the Golden Tiger, according to Chau.

Perlas

It may be the Year of the Golden Tiger, but Tigers like Nicanor Perlas are not expected to have a good year.

“In general, 2010 is not a good year for Tiger people, due to the influence of the planet Jupiter, thus Tigers should be flexible to cope with the sudden changes during the year. They should steer clear of rumors and gossip,” Chau said.

Aquino

As for those born in the Year of the Rat like Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, luck will keep on changing this year. Rats are not counted among the so-called lucky zodiac signs, but neither are they in conflict with the elements in the Year of the Golden Tiger, Chau said.

For the Rats this means a lot of movement or volatility. Chau said the presence of the “lonely star” meant that those born on the Year of the Rat should exert extra effort to reach out to people because of their “lack of communication skills.”

Chau added that it would not be a romantic year for the Rats like the bachelor Aquino.

“They should take it easy in these matters and not expect too much, otherwise they will be disappointed,” he said.

Aquino and Villar are the front-runners in the presidential race.

It pays to self-advertise but not much when one’s political rivals pay much more for their ads, according to Gordon.

Silent Night

Gordon said he was glad that more voters recognized him after his “Silent Night” advertisement aired last month.

The 30-second commercial shows Gordon as chair of the Philippine National Red Cross attending to victims of the Mayon Volcano eruption, the Christmas Eve fire at the Pasay-Makati border and the sinking of the MV Baleno off the coast of Mindoro Oriental.

“People see me and greet me, ‘Merry Christmas, Sir!’ or [shout] ‘Silent Night!’ It works, you see,” Gordon said.

The ads may have boosted public awareness of Gordon’s campaign for the presidency.

But apparently not enough, considering Pulse Asia’s latest survey showing Aquino and Villar are neck-and-neck in the presidential race.

Everyone’s pro-poor

“The law says you have only 90 days to campaign,” Gordon said, referring to the official campaign period that begins on Feb. 9.

“I followed. Villar did not. He has already spent P350 million for advertisements,” Gordon said.

Even vice presidential candidate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II did not escape Gordon’s scrutiny. He said Roxas “spent P235 million (in advertisements) and then he calls for a survey.”

The trouble with political advertisements is that they promote the person paying for them, according to Gordon.

This does not mean however, that someone who has the most ads is the best candidate. “Everybody is pro-poor these days,” Gordon said, obviously taking a potshot at Villar and Estrada who market themselves as “laking Tondo” (someone who grew up in Tondo, Manila’s oldest district where slums and warring gangs can be found.)

How’s Tarlac now?

Gordon said voters should spend more time examining the track records.

His, for example, would show that aside from becoming senator and chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, he was secretary of the Department of Tourism, first chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and longtime mayor of Olongapo City.

“Effective governance is key to good government. Let’s see who can walk the talk. Ask Noynoy that. How is Tarlac now?” Gordon said.