Pinoys greet Chinese New Year in The Netherlands

By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 02/05/2009 8:03 PM

The year 2009 came at a time when most people are dismayed due to the present global economic crisis that has been affecting more and more countries.

Filipinos in the Netherlands said however that they remain confident that things will get better in the Year of the Ox.A hard-working animal, the ox symbolizes prosperity or luck.

Pinoys said they find that they have nothing to lose if they look up to the Chinese zodiac for a more positive forecast.

Hence, during the largest Chinese New Year celebration in the Netherlands held in The Hague from January 24 to 31, Pinoys joined in hoping for a global recovery in the Year of the Ox.

The Chinese believe that this year will see stability and that the Year of the Ox is a magnet for luck when combined with hard work and patience.

That's why Filipina Rose Jimenez said she is not going to surrender despite the hardships she has encountered as a single parent.

"Somehow we started really in a very bad situation na nagkakaroon kami ng hope ngayon in this Year of the Ox na sana malampasan namin ‘yong mga hirap na nangyayari for these past few years," Jimenez told Balitang Europe.

Jimenez is divorced and is alone in raising and providing for the needs of her two daughters who are half-Dutch and half-Filipino.

She said she firmly believes something beautiful and good awaits everyone in the Year of the Ox.

"Kahit papaano nagsisimula pa lang naman tayo. So madami pa ring mga magagandang pangyayari na darating para sa taong 2009," Jimenez said.

For another Pinay, there always is victory in any defeat.

Even if Nadia Camolli failed to clinch the crown at the 2004 Miss Earth Philippines, having landed first-runner up, she did not allow this experience to affect or stop her from pursuing her higher ambitions.

It is in The Hague where Camolli found a huge opportunity to work in an international organization.

"A lot of people has experienced crisis in the past year and not only financially but also health wise and I think it's important to look forward to a good year," Camolli said.

She added: "It's important to always move forward not backwards and if there's always a negative aspect for the New Year then it's all about strategy and just being positive all together.”

The Filipinos believe that only with patience and hard work could prosperity be achieved and that at the end of the day, it is up to the person to make every year either lucky or bad.

Consulting Feng Shui expert

Meanwhile, the trying times have prompted some Filipino overseas workers to consult their luck with a Feng Shui expert during the Chinese New Year celebration in Dubai.

The celebration was attended by 500 Filipinos. Many of them consulted a Feng Shui expert and bought lucky charms in the hopes of keeping their jobs, getting rich or just be able to pay debts back home.

Others hope to stay healthy and keep their family together.

“Uncertain tayo sa trabaho, sa security sa trabaho. Sa mga problema sa pera, sa mga utang at saka sa pamilya para maging buo ang pamilya natin. So mayroon tayong wish-fulfilling balloons, prosperity money, fortune pineapple,” said Mecky Decena, Feng Shui consultant in the United Arab Emirates.

Decena even invited Master Yu, one of the Feng Shui experts from Hong Kong.

“Sa hirap ng sitwasyon natin ngayon, with the economic crisis...ang ano lang natin ay desperate situations call for desperate solutions. Ang sa amin lang it might be of help," Decena said.

People queued just for Master Yu’s consultation.

Even Arab nationals joined in hoping that the New Year brings them good health.

"Nag global crisis tayo. Itong Chinese New Year may mga puwedeng bilhin at may matutunan pa sa master," said an OFW named Marivic.

Some Filipinos have spent around 600 to 1,000 dirham’s or equivalent to P7,000 to P12,000) to buy lucky charms for the Year of the Ox.

“Prosperity bracelet, the other one is money magnet bracelet, protection bracelet. Alam natin na lahat tayo susuwertehin. And who doesn’t want luck? Nandito ako para doon sa luck na yun," Jose said.

With report from Rachel Salinel, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau

as of 02/05/2009 8:23 PM

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/02/05/09/pinoys-greet-chinese-new-year-netherlands