Kathryn Bernardo ( left) and Maris Racal. Images: Instagram/@bernardokath, @mariesteller
Another cycle in the Chinese zodiac will begin early next year, on Jan. 29 to be exact, which ushers in the “Year of the Snake.” But before it slithers in, let us look back at how the “Year of the Dragon” was for some Filipino celebrities.
Famed geomancer Marites Allen said 2024 marks the start of the “wood” cycle for all 12 Chinese animal signs, with the “water” cycle ending in 2023, a Rabbit year.
“The Year of the Wood Dragon 2024 symbolizes fresh starts and potential for growth,” the “Queen of Feng Shui” said during her feng shui forecast last year.
“Women will reign supreme in 2024,” with middle-aged women experiencing a significant “rise in fame, innovation, power, technology, and new media,” Allen added.
And female power was indeed celebrated in a multitude of ways this year, with both Pia Wurtzbach and Heart Evangelista dominating international metrics on online fashion influence and value.
Heart Evangelista (left) and Pia Wurtzbach. Images: Instagram/@iamhearte, @piawurtzbach
Actresses Marian Rivera and Kathryn Bernardo also marked significant milestones anew in their respective careers, staking their claim at stardom via the previously fledgling local movie scene.
Rivera earned her first-ever acting award as Best Actress in the Cinemalaya entry “Balota,” while Bernardo reigned supreme at the box office again with “Hello, Love, Again,” the sequel to the commercial hit “Hello, Love, Goodbye.”
Marian Rivera in a scene from “Balota.” Image: Courtesy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Both actresses were born in the Year of the Rat, which Allen said was an auspicious sign in 2024, seeing luck and abundance while also overcoming challenges.
Wurtzbach, meanwhile, was born in the Year of the Snake. Allen said 2024 was a “year of promise” for those in the animal sign, which also includes actors Piolo Pascual and Maricel Soriano who have had a resurgence in their careers this year.
Ox-born Evangelista, Allen said, had the “heavens shining upon them” in 2024. Another popular actress with the same animal sign is Maris Racal, who had a meteoric rise with her inclusion in the primetime series “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
Racal may have faced a hiccup in her personal life toward the end of the year, but that has not overshadowed the promise for her upcoming film “Sunshine” which is set to screen at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival in California.
Those born in the Year of the Tiger were expected to enjoy abundance and miracles, Allen said. And it appears to have been a spot-on forecast for young actor Donny Pangilinan with the success of his starrer “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and a string of film projects. Tiger-born Angelica Panganiban also had a successful TV comeback this year via “Walang Hanggang Paalam.”
Donny Panglinan. Image: Instagram/@donny
A more favorable and promising year was what was expected for those born in the Year of the Rabbit, like Ian Veneracion and Tom Rodriguez.
Veneracion juggled acting with his new career as a singer in live concerts this year, while Rodriguez formally ended his hiatus and returned to the country to resume his showbiz career.
Allen said 2024 is also a “year of promise” for people born in the Year of the Dragon, like Vice Ganda, Gary Valenciano and the controversial Anthony Jennings.
Vice just recently scored critical acclaim for his surprising turn to drama with the dramedy Metro Manila Film Festival entry “And the Breadwinner Is…,” while Valenciano got back on the concert scene after mounting what was supposedly his “final” concert last year.
“And the Breadwinner Is…” stars Jhong Hilario, Via Antonio, Eugene Domingo, Vice Ganda, Petite, Kokoy de Santon and Gladys Reyes during the Parade of Stars. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net
Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actress Judy Ann Santos was born in the Year of the Horse, a sign Allen said would reap the reward of prosperity in 2024. Another Horse-born actress is Kim Chiu, whose career continues to flourish.
Santos’ male counterpart, Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor Dennis Trillo, was born in the Year of the Rooster. Allen cautioned those in the animal sign on chaos and challenges. But it appears the actor has overcome them if he ever had any.
A year of abundance awaited those born in the Year of the Sheep, Allen said, and this bore true for original hunk Jericho Rosales, whose showbiz comeback was a huge success with his hit teleserye “Lavender Fields,” in which he works with his current flame Janine Gutierrez.
Allen said 2024 was also a favorable year for those born in the Year of the Monkey. Actor and heartthrob Alden Richards was born in the animal sign, and he shared the box-office success of “Hello, Love, Again” with Bernardo.
“A thrilling adventure” awaited those born in the Year of the Boar in 2024, Allen said. This is the animal sign of “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino, who indeed had an adventurous bout with health-related concerns, which saw her coming back home to the country after years of seeking treatment in the United States.
Kris Aquino. Image: Instagram/@darla
Allen said 2024 is a “conflict” year for those born in the Year of the Dog, such as Catriona Gray. The beauty queen was set to marry actor Sam Milby earlier this year, but the engagement was called off.
The Year of the Snake 2025 “ushers in a more introspective and methodical energy, governed by the Yin Wood energy,” Allen said.
Next year is about laying the groundwork for future achievements, and individuals are encouraged to embrace careful planning, rather than chasing quick wins, she continued. Allen also recommends wearing red and green colors in clothing and decorations to help balance wood and fire elements.