AS RED lanterns sway above bustling streets and dragon dancers rehearse for their annual spectacle, Iloilo City once again slips into the rhythm of Chinese New Year. Storefronts shimmer in scarlet and gold. Tikoys stack high beside oranges wrapped in promise. And somewhere between faith and festivity, conversations about luck begin to stir.
For many Ilonggos, the Chinese Zodiac is a quiet annual checkpoint — a moment to ask: Will this be my year?
Yet beneath the fireworks and fortune readings lies a community divided — not by conflict, but by perspective.
The Skeptic in the Marketplace
In the crowded lanes of Iloilo’s downtown market stands Mylene Robino, a 65-year-old vendor from Barangay Boulevard, Molo district whose hands have measured rice, counted change, and carried the weight of 22 years in business.
“Wala ko gapati ‘ya. Ang swerte wala man na sa yearkon san-o ka gin bata kundi sa Ginoo. Sa 22 years ko nga negosyo waay ko ga base sa pagsulundan ka swerte-swerte ka Chinese,” she says firmly.
For Robino, luck is not written in the stars but earned through sweat and anchored in faith. Business survival, she believes, depends on perseverance, not predictions.
Her stance reflects a common Ilonggo trait — practical, hardworking, and deeply rooted in spiritual conviction.
Young and Self-Determined
Across town, 27-year-old retailer Roy Alvarez echoes that sentiment.
“I don’t believe in it at all. Our faith should be in ourselves and in God. Luck isn’t determined by our Chinese heritage,” Alvarez says in Hiligaynon.
Among younger entrepreneurs like Alvarez, there is a growing preference for self-determination. This generation scrolls through digital horoscopes but ultimately trusts hustle over hulâ. They represent a blend of modern pragmatism and inherited spirituality — respectful of tradition, yet cautious about surrendering their futures to it.
Respecting Tradition, Guarding Reality
Not all views are strictly skeptical.
Dolores Gallo, 55, a flower vendor from Barangay San Jose, Arevalo district, offers a gentler interpretation.
“Gapati man ako. Wala man may madula sa imo if mag pati ka or indi. Pero sa tawo gihapon ang gawa eh. Kon swerte ka sa hula pero wala ka man gaubra sang manami, waay man gyapon,” she explains.
For Gallo, belief is harmless — even hopeful — as long as it does not replace responsibility.
Her position captures a uniquely Filipino balancing act: embracing tradition while keeping both feet firmly planted on reality.
Faith Above Forecast
For 21-year-old Je Ann Trizo, a college student from Tapaz, Capiz studying in Iloilo, the compass is clear.
“It is God who holds our future; if it’s His will, He will grant us what we seek, whether it’s love or security,” she says.
She elaborates: “Ga-respect man ko sa pagpati ka Chinese pero si God ang gahatag sa aton sang protection… kay kon gahigda ka lang nga wala sang hardwork… useless man na gyapon.”
Her words mirror a broader movement among young Filipinos — one that harmonizes cultural awareness with strong Christian faith. Zodiac forecasts may entertain, but divine providence, she believes, ultimately directs destiny.
Culture as Common Ground
From Boracay, licensed therapist and pastor Marlon Sison widens the lens.
“We must honor their traditions just as we value our own. If we are in their space, we need to respect their culture,” he says.
He continues, “Respecting others’ beliefs does not diminish our own; rather, it enriches our existence… Kasi may culture tayo pero mas pinaniniwalaan ko ‘yung will ni God above all. Kasi si God talaga ‘yung author ng life natin.”
For Sison, the Chinese Zodiac is not a theological debate but a cultural bridge — one that invites dialogue rather than division.
Selling Hope in Red and Gold
Inside House of Charms, surrounded by glittering trinkets and lucky ornaments, 41-year-old sales staff Jinky Catague beams with quiet optimism.
“Year of the Ox ako. Yes, gapati ako, especially sa love (swerte sa lovelife). Sa money okay lang man, balance lang din. Wala man may madula kon gapati ka ah,” she shares.
“Kay ga tuon ako Chinese fortune readings…Na adopt ko man kag na-apply sa self ko. Pero depende man na. Wala man madula if mapati kag kag sa indi sa mga hula o sa lucky charms,” she adds.
For Catague, belief intertwines with livelihood. The Zodiac becomes both product and personal narrative — a gentle promise that maybe, just maybe, fortune will smile.
More Than Luck
As Iloilo City celebrates another Chinese New Year, the Chinese Zodiac becomes a mirror reflecting the city’s layered identity. Skeptics stand beside believers. Faith walks alongside fortune. Hard work challenges horoscope.
What emerges is not a clash of beliefs, but a tapestry.
In this coastal city shaped by trade, migration, and cultural exchange, luck is interpreted in many ways — as divine will, disciplined effort, hopeful tradition, or inherited heritage. But one thread binds them all: respect.
Whether guided by prayer, perseverance, or the promise of a lucky charm, Ilonggos continue to shape their own destinies — proving that perhaps the truest fortune lies not in the stars, but in the stories we choose to believe./PN
