When you put together complementary elements, you can achieve harmonious relationships and a beneficial flow of qi, or energy. Feng Shui is about harmony and balance that is necessary in our everyday life. It’s important to surround yourself with elements that complement yours. By applying simple principles of feng shui, one can maximize the flow of energy within one’s natural surroundings. Identify your dominant element and this will point you in the right direction, for a wonderful vacation that’s quite plainly written in the stars.

Fire

Those dominated by the element of fire are flamboyant and charismatic types who love to be mystified by a good puzzle. Whether you’re in a formal suit or rugged outdoorsy attire, you are likely to command attention.

The elements recommend:

• An exhilarating mountain trek is in your future. The challenge: Mount Talinis, the 1,800m peak nicknamed Cuernos de Negros, or the cliffs on Apo Island. The Cuernos de Negros Mountaineering Club organize a three-day trek up Mount Talinis. Sights along the trail are Lake Yagumyum, an ancient crater, and the Tolkien-esque forests of mossy maribuhok trees. Sleep under the stars by majestic Lake Nailig.
• Take a side trip to Apo Island, a short boat ride off the coast of Dumaguete. The limestone cliffs that surround the 12-hectare island are a rock climber’s dream. Scale them and then dive 12m into the ocean. Book a rustic hillside cottage on Apo Island Resort’s private cove.
• The enigma of Siquijor. With its long history of faith healers and mysticism, it may appeal to your analytical mind. Just a short ferry trip from Dumaguete, the smallest island province in Central Visayas was named “Isla de Fuego” – the island of fire — by enraptured Spanish explorers. Embark on a challenging trek through Cantabon Cave with its underground stream and huge chambers dripping with rock formations. Be mesmerized by the drove of fireflies that give the island’s mangroves an eerie glow at nightfall. Then ignite fires of a different kind at the romantic Coco Grove Beach Resort.

Wood

Artistic types born under the element of wood exhibit an inner strength and stability. The infusion of heat and moisture brings blossoms forth from wood, so the cards advise a rejuvenating, sun-drenched holiday by the sea.

The elements recommend:

• A quiet weekend soaking up the rays in Bohol. Bohol is bounded by an endless coastline of blindingly white beaches, with a myriad more to discover on its 73 surrounding islands. In the spectrum of the country’s many spectacular beaches, few come close to the 1km stretch of white sands of Alona Beach on Panglao Island. Book yourself a villa at Amorita Resort with its 180 degree view of the Bohol Sea. Laze on a private sundeck, dip into a private plunge pool, and sample local delicacies such as the seashell creature sa-anganon, fresh off a sizzling grill.
• Dip in the healing waters of Camiguin Island’s natural hot springs. The volcanic island of Camiguin has a coastline dotted with beaches and secluded swimming holes. Esperanza Ardent Hot Springs, which can hit temperatures of 40 C, bubbles from the depths of dormant Mount Hibok-Hibok. Bathe in mist-shrouded pools rich with sulphur, believed to have healing properties. Take a deep breath and focus on the rejuvenating atmosphere, and focus on restoring whatever ails you. Spend evenings at Bahay Bakasyunan, a former private villa featuring a beachfront pool.

Metal

Your steely resolve and determination indicates that metal is your dominant element. You are self-reliant and a born leader. Make sure you stay away from heat, which can melt you even the mightiest ores.

The elements recommend:

• A challenging dive trip to El Nido, Palawan. At 96,000 hectares, these waters surrounding the pretty islets of El Nido form the largest marine sanctuary in the country, where sightings of manta rays and the rare dugong are common. Seasoned divers will find comfortable accommodations at the new El Nido Cove Resort and Spa which offers nighttime dive packages and a 15-day dive master course.
• The rush of a rugged island adventure in Caramoan. Koh-Lanta, the French edition of Survivor, shot its eighth season on the Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur. Producers praised the unspoiled, off-the-radar appeal of Caramoan, which led contestants to believe they were truly lost in the wild. The idea is to move out of your comfort zone and test your physical limits. The Camsur Watersports Complex in nearby Naga City, a water-sports park designed for wakeboarding attracts enthusiasts of the sport from all over the world. Villa Del Rey offers tiki huts and villas just steps from all the wakeboarding action.

Water

People who are water-dominant prefer an indirect approach to getting things done. Water is a gentle element, yet nurturing, bringing entire forests to life.

The elements recommend:

• Birdwatching in Bais. The Bird Sanctuary and Mangrove Park is 400 hectares of lush forest that hugs the Bais coastline. To spy the Philippine Mallard and White Heron in their natural habitat, hop on a short boat ride from South Bais City, then take a stroll on raised walkways of split bamboo. For more information, contact the Bais Tourism Office. Book a beachfront bungalow at Dumaguete Springs Resort. The staff can arrange a car or motorbike rental.
• A trek through Bulusan Volcano National Park. Three supreme peaks dot the 3,600 hectares of rainforest of Bulusan Volcano National Park, declared a wildlife sanctuary in the 1930s. Pristine Lake Bulusan, one of two lakes in the park, is steeped in local legend. Tread softly on quiet trails shaded by a canopy of wild orchids and giant ferns, being careful not to disturb monitor lizards and geckos. Watch the skies for rare birds such as the flame-breasted dove and Philippine hawk eagle. Book a room at the delightful family-run Villa Luisa Celeste. Named for the daughters of a retired sea captain, the mansion is clean, comfortable and charming, and boasts of views of Mount Bulusan and the Pacific Ocean, and is located just 20 minutes from the city.

Earth

The person born under the earth element is practical, methodical and hardworking. You are naturally drawn to fire.

The elements recommend:

• A gastronomical foray into the fiery Bicolano cuisine. Try spicy-creamy dishes made with chilli and coconut milk — laing or Bicol Express, pork stewed in coconut milk, and a stingray dish called kinunot.
• A tour of Pampanga’s heritage kitchens. Viajeng Cusinang Matua is a hearth-side visit into the old kitches of Pampanga, the culinary capital of the country. The day trip begins at dawn in Manila, with stops for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two teatimes. Sample native tsokolate, dinuguan, galantina, and tamales, and kamaru or deep-fried crickets. Historian and chef Lillian Borromeo offers a baking demonstration of San Nicolas cookies, and a glimpse at her family’s heirloom cooking tools and a history of food.

Find your element

Every set of two years is governed by Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. If your birth year ends in 0 or 1, you are a Metal person; those born in a year ending in 2 or 3 are under the Water element, and so on. The cycle ends with a year ending in 9 (Earth) and starts all over again with a Metal year.

Birth year ending in 0: Yang Metal
Birth year ending in 1: Yin Metal
Birth year ending in 2: Yang Water
Birth year ending in 3: Yin Water
Birth year ending in 4: Yang Wood
Birth year ending in 5: Yin Wood
Birth year ending in 6: Yang Fire
Birth year ending in 7: Yin Fire
Birth year ending in 8: Yang Earth
Birth year ending in 9: Yin Earth

Inabanga Fishing Village. Brunch at the Inabanga Fishing Village in Bohol equalled hearty helpings of friend quail, crabs, grilled squid, chopsuey, crispy shrimp, and more! You could also fish for the freshest tilapia.

Bilar Manmade Forest. The Philippine and Australian mahogany kingdom was the site of shoots for the teleserye Panday. A photo op is irresisitible in these parts.

Fruits of the Loom. Weaving is one of Bohol’s main crafts, enjoyed locally and exported in the form of placemats, coasters, sleeping mats, bags, hats, and other home and fashion accessories. There’s the Albur Tourist Center in Alburquerque and the OTOP (One Town One Product) for woven goodies and more.

Dolphin Watchers. Definitely worth waking up early for, as dolphins forage early in the morning and their hunting grounds are some distance from the coast. Dolphin watching trips are organized for P3,500 per boat. You will see groups of dolphins — seemingly hundreds of them — which popped on your left and right, with more showing up at the horizon.

Loay Riverwatch Cruise. Otherwise known as the Panaghoy sa Suba site mde famous by Boholano filmmaker Cesar Montano, Loboc River was the venue for a soothing meal aboard the Floating Restaurant that serves an array of native foods to be washed down by live acoustic music all the way to Isla Tarsius, where you will see tarsiers in their natural habitat. The Floaing Restaurant can be booked for P900, with P175 per plate meals on board. an option is the P250 eat-all-you-can meal rate that waives the floating resto booking fee. I suggest sitting in front to watch the river deliciously unfold before your eyes as you eat.

Chocolate Hills. To get to see the yummy view of the natural phenomenon that is the Chocolate Hills, you have the climb the 214 steps to the top of the observation hill. Still is Bohol’s most famous attraction, The Chocolate Hills consist of 1,268 hills that are very uniform in shape and mostly between 30 and 40 meters high. The hills are covered with grass which, at the end of the dry season, turns out chocolate brown, from which the Chocolate hills derived their name. A wishing well also awaits at the observation hill and adds whimsy to the experience.

The Clarin Ancestral House and Cafe Olegario. Located in Poblacion Ubos, Loay, this 1840-built ancestral house with a restaurant on the ground floor has been declared a heritage landmark by the National Historical Institute. Antique furniture transports you to a long-gone era; other features include an escape door on the bedroom floor and a front door with a tricky lock contraption that bespeak both the political nature as well as the upper social status of the house’s original residents. Cap your museum tour with a meal or snacks in the garden and savor the Bohol breeze.

Bohol Beach Club. Swimming in the white sand beach, kayaking, swinging in a hammock, sumptuous food, private tours with winsome tour guides.. all these can be had at Bohol Beach Club, the only first class resort in Panglao Island. Its recreational facilities include a dive shop, swimming pool, glass-bottom boat, tennis court, billiard hall, conference rooms, darts, chess, table tennis, backgammon and mahjong. It has standard rooms, superior rooms, executive suites, and a two-bedroom family suite with jacuzzi.

Church of the Immaculate Conception (Baclayon Church). Built in 1727, this is the oldest coral stone church in the Philippines and one of the best-preserved Jesuit churches in the region. Next to it is an old convent that houses a small museum with centuries-old religious relics, artifacts, and other antiquities dating back to the 16th century.

Bohol has numerous old churches and other historical monuments that showcase the island’s rich cultural heritage. Other churches to visit are the Church of San Pedro in Lobo home of the famous Loboc Children’s Choir); the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis, Panglao; Maribojoc Church; and Panglao Church. Bohol, Philippines in indeed an ideal tourist destination for short breaks.

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