Feng shui expert cites 'luckier' bets in 2013

MANILA, Philippines -- On February 10, the Chinese community will usher in the Lunar New Year and the "Year of the Water Snake."

Feng shui expert Master Joseph Chau said 2013 is a year of “challenges” and “conflicts.” Tensions may also escalate as election day draws near.

But candidates in the May 13 elections who are under the zodiac animal signs dragon, dog, rabbit, monkey, and snake are luckier.

Couples planning a wedding this year may want to postpone the date to next year. Chau said 2013 is a “blind year” because spring will come earlier on February 4 than the Chinese New Year. In the Chinese tradition, this is bad luck for weddings.

But, Chau added, money will be easier to earn this year.

Some good business opportunities are in the tourism sector, hotel and restaurant, transportation and even the stock market.

According to the 2013 feng shui chart, there are areas in the house or office that are luckier, such as the northeast where the wealth star is located, and south, for the prosperity star.

To start the year right, place five kinds of fruits like pineapple, apple, banana and orange at the dining table on the eve of New Year's day.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

French woman trapped in supermarket for New Year

LILLE, France – While others were celebrating the start of 2013, an elderly French woman spent New Year's Eve trapped in a supermarket after being locked inside, officials said.

The 73-year-old was stuck inside the supermarket in the northern city of Roubaix after emerging from the toilet to find the shop closed and the doors locked, local firefighters said.

She set off the alarms several times throughout the night but there was no answer. She was only discovered the morning of New Year's Day around 10:30 a.m.

Despite her ordeal, the woman did not take advantage of the situation to snatch some New Year's treats and spent the night without eating or sleeping.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Fireworks light up the sky as globe greets 2013

The night sky in various parts of the globe is lit up with fireworks as the world welcomes the New Year. ANC Dateline Philippines, January 1, 2013

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Fireworks injuries rise to 186 before New Year

MANILA – Philippine officials Monday reported more injuries from fireworks as the emergency services braced for a night of thunderous and sometimes deadly merrymaking to usher in the new year.

Injuries linked to firecrackers have risen to 186 since the Christmas weekend, including 33 with eye injuries and six victims who had limbs amputated, the health department announced.

The number stood at 171 on Sunday.

Casualties are expected to peak as the revelry hits a crescendo at midnight, said Emmanuel Bello, emergency ward chief at East Avenue Medical Center, one of Manila's biggest state hospitals that has treated 22 cases.

"Most of the adult casualties stem from drunkenness. They drink and then they set off firecrackers," said Bello, who has called in all of the hospital's more than 100 burns, orthopaedic and emergency care specialists.

"If they lose their thumbs and index fingers they lose most of the functions of their hand and so they are unable to work, condemning their families to hardship," Bello, a bone surgeon, told AFP.

However the majority of casualties are children aged 10 or younger who may be unaware of the dangers of fireworks, he added.

The health department said one person was also wounded by a stray bullet, likely from the Filipino tradition of celebratory gunfire in the air.

Filipino families celebrate Christmas and New Year by buying and setting off large quantities of fireworks which emit ear-splitting noise and black powder smoke, causing some communities to resemble war zones.

The government reported 454 firecracker-related injuries as 2012 was welcomed in.

National police chief Alan Purisima said the capital's slums were being closely watched because of the threat of blazes from wayward fireworks.

President Benigno Aquino's spokesman Ramon Carandang, commenting on Twitter Monday, pleaded: "New Year-related injuries will peak in the next 24 hours. Don't be a statistic. Party on... but do it safely."

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Alumni from Cateel schools host New Year party for residents

MANILA, Philippines - The Ordiz family has no money to buy food for their media noche which is why they are thankful that alumni from schools in Cateel arrived to host a New Year party.

“Kahit medyo malungkot pero pag nakita ko yung mga bata na masaya, masaya na din ako,” said Lanie Ordiz.

Relief goods were distributed and games were organized for the children. The group also offered prayers for those who passed away in the tragedy. They lit candles and residents sang songs for the recovery of the province.

They also released sky lanterns along with the residents.

“Yung ginawa nila parang nagbigay sa amin na may pagasa talaga ang buhay,” said Imelda Reyes.

Although the volunteers now live in different places, they were able to organize themselves using social media to give hope to the typhoon victims.

“Sino ba yung magtutulong-tulungan dapat kaming mga taga-Cateel mismo,” said Olan Emboscado, president of Help Cateel.

Meantime it will be quiet New Year in Cateel with the town banning the use of firecrackers to welcome 2013.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

You want more New Year's Eve restaurant options? We've got 'em!

We’ve already compiled one dining guide for those still figuring out where to eat their last meal before ringing in 2013. For the undecided, here are eight more restaurants in the Los Angeles area offering multiple-course and a la carte menus on New Year’s Eve:

Ammo: Hollywood’s Ammo will be offering a prix-fixe dinner on New Year's Eve, accompanied by live music from Max Whipple of local band Deux Sons. Dishes include roasted baby potatoes with caviar, creme fraiche and chives; an arugula salad with persimmons and pomegranates; pan seared halibut with braised baby leeks; and a warm dark chocolate pudding cake. Dinner at Ammo is $75 per person, with wine pairings available for an additional $35 per person. 1155 N. Highland Ave., L.A., (323) 871-2666, www.ammocafe.com.

Bagatelle: The French Mediterranean restaurant in West Hollywood will be serving a New Year’s Eve "brunch." The family-style brunch menu will feature dishes such as short rib hash, Parisian gnocchi, tuna tartare and a truffle-roasted chicken served with Belgian waffles. Bagatelle’s midnight brunch is $75 per person. Call or email lareservations@bistrotbagatelle.com for reservations. 755 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 659-3900, www.bistrotbagatelle.com.

Barbrix: On New Year’s Eve from 6 p.m. to midnight, Barbrix will be serving chef Don Dickman’s specials in addition to the restaurant’s regular menu. Special menu items include uni-avocado toasts, crispy potato latkes, fettuccine with Dungeness crab and more. Call for reservations. 2442 Hyperion Ave., L.A., (323) 662-2442, www.barbrix.com.

Bodega Wine Bar: New Year’s Eve festivities at Bodega Wine Bar in Santa Monica include all-you-can food and drink, a live DJ set and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $75 per person in advance and can be bought online. Tickets will also be available at the door for $100 per person. 814 Broadway, Santa Monica, (310) 394-3504, www.bodegawinebar.com.

Cooks County: At Cooks County they're serving a special a la carte menu featuring a fresh seafood platter for two, persimmon glazed duck breast and more. The restaurant will serve dinner from 6 p.m. to midnight and provide party hats and noisemakers for guests ringing in the new year. Call for reservations. 8009 Beverly Blvd., L.A., (323) 653-8009, www.cookscountyrestaurant.com.

Messhall Kitchen: Celebrate at Los Feliz’s historic Brown Derby building for a special New Year’s Eve menu created by chef Nick Erven. Two seatings are available: The first starts at 6 p.m. and features a three-course dinner for $70, and the second starts at 8:30 p.m. and features a four-course dinner and midnight toast for $95 per person. Messhall’s N.Y.E. menu will feature dishes such as oysters on the half shell, celery root soup, grilled shrimp and grits, crispy duck confit, warm cornmeal pound cake and more. Call for reservations. 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., L.A., (323) 660-6377, www.messhallkitchen.com.

The Spice Table: The Vietnamese-Singaporean restaurant in Little Tokyo will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with a five-course tasting menu priced at $85 per person. The Spice Table’s holiday menu will feature a grilled beef salad, crab wonton noodle soup, country fried pork chop and more. Optional beer and wine pairings, included free from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., will be available for an additional $15 per person after 6:30. Seating starts at 5:30 p.m. Call for reservations or email events@thespicetable.com. 114 S. Central Ave., L.A., (213) 620-1840, www.thespicetable.com. [An earlier version of this story had the wrong price for the beer and wine pairings, and some incorrect menu items]

The Strand House: Manhattan Beach’s The Strand House will celebrate New Year’s Eve with two tasting menus. The first seating, between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., costs $85 per person; the second seating, between 8:30 and 10 p.m., costs $125. Menu options include Maine lobster risotto, winter vegetables, a Meyer lemon tart and more. The second seating will include a glass of champagne to toast the new year. Call for reservations. 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, (310) 545-7470, www.thestrandhousemb.com.

source: latimes.com