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

The city covers some 253,982 hectares of land stretched over 106 kilometers. There are lots to do in the city that you can possibly have time for.

Must-See Tourist Destinations:

1. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

A must-visit is the Subterranean River National Park, commonly called the Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the longest navigable river in the world, stretching for 8.2 km and emptying into the South China Sea. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels have been sighted on the beach near the cave.

Tour the river on board a paddle boat and cut across the water through the underground lagoon featuring stalactites and rock formations. The park is located in Bahile, Puerto Princesa, 81km from the city proper.

2. Babuyan River

You can kayak through this river, reputed to be the longest river in the province. It meanders across 64km, through the upper valleys and mountainous region of Tagbinet, Cabayugan and Marufinas and extends eastward to the low-lying barangays of Mauyon and Babuyan before finally emptying into Honda Bay. Alternatively you can also explore local Tribal Ancestral Domain Claims of Cabayugan and Kayasan. The trek traverses from the eastern side of Puerto Princesa to the west and takes two days. The traditional way in which the Tagbanua and Batak tribes use forest products provide visitors valuable insight into their way of life.

3. Honda Bay

A favorite of swimming, snorkeling and diving. The Legend Palawan’s package tour (P1,300 per person) gets you to small white sand islands that dot the bay and promise sightings of giant turtles as you sail from the reptilian shaped Snake Island to Pandan Islands, said to have good reefs for diving. Other islands include the Cannon Island, Senorita Island, where the lapu-lapu (grouper) breeds and Bat Island, home to the nocturnal critters who swoop out at sunset for food in the mainland. There’s also Meara Marina, Starfish Island, and Lu-li Islands that are visible only during the low tide. Honda Bay is located in Sta. Lourdes, Tagbanua, Puerto Princesa City. If you plan to go on your own, you can hire pumpboats in Sta. Lourdes Wharf, 12km east of the city proper. Sailing from island to island can take 15 minutes to less than 1 hour.

4. Palawan Wild Life Rescue and Conservation Center

Formerly called the Crocodile and Nature Park, the center does conservation work and research on reptiles. A guided tour includes a visit to a small museum, breeding tanks for crocodiles and a series of outdoor pens where full-grown crocodiles can be viewed from an overhead catwalk. The center will allow you to take your photo with baby crocodiles, their jaws held together by duct tape, and visitors are free to roam the grounds where ostriches and other wildlife are kept.