And the countdown begins. At exactly 00.01 of February 7, 2008, we stealthily move into the Year of the Rat, having just snorted our way out of the Year of the Pig. But take note that the Year of the Rat (it’s an Earth Rat) starts from 7 p.m. of February 4, 2008 and ends on February 3, 2009. So, if your zodiac sign is lucky this year (but more on that later), you know when your luck begins.

Luck was certainly on my side when I attended the press conference-cum-lunch hosted Wednesday last week by Mandarin Oriental, Manila, which yearly celebrates Chinese New Year, with a mouthwatering lineup of activities. First of all, there was no traffic on Makati’s usually traffic-choked streets on a usually frenetic Wednesday. This must be my lucky day!

Good fortune and lots of goodwill and good food awaited us at the Ballroom of Mandarin Oriental, Manila that’s all set to roll out its 12th traditional welcome to the Lunar New Year on Wednesday night, Feb. 6, the eve of Chinese New Year with a lot more fanfare than a fireworks display and lion dance. Guests can look forward to the prosperity parade with BMW cars, the first lucky meal at midnight, and the debut of the 2008 forecast of Hong Kong-based feng shui master Joseph Chau. And prepare to be charmed by China with Phyllis Zaballero’s art exhibit on auspicious themes, Feb. 5-17 at the Clipper Lounge of Mandarin Oriental, Manila.

The festivities which kick off on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 10:30 p.m., the biggest lunar welcome outside Binondo, are held in collaboration with Citibank, BMW, Hennessy XO, Shanghai Tang, and Lifestyle Network with the support of the city government of Makati.
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