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Feng shui master named sole beneficiary
Saturday Apr 21 10:32 AEST
A feng shui master has been named the sole beneficiary of Hong Kong property tycoon Nina Wang's multibillion-dollar estate, Wang's lawyer says.
Jonathan Midgley's law firm posted a notice in severalnewspapers saying that in Wang's will dated October 16, 2006, she bequeathed her entire estate to Chan Chun-chuen.
At a later press briefing, Midgley said Chan "understands that Wang decided that it was best if her business interests were left to one person who had the necessary experience to continue to manage the Chinachem Group and would do so in a way consistent with her ownphilosophy."
He added that Chan "is touched and honoured that Wang decided that he was suitable to be given responsibility for continuing her work."
Chan, a 48-year-old property trader and married with three children, used to give advice on feng shui but "now it is just a hobby," according to Midgley.
In another will dated in 2002, a Chinachem Charity Fund, set up by Wang and her late husband Teddy Wang, is to receive all her property.
Wang's family, on behalf of the charity fund, filed a caveat at a Hong Kong court to claim rights to the estate.
Wang, Asia's richest woman according to Forbes magazine, died April 3 at age 69 reportedly from cancer. A lavish funeral was held Wednesday attended by staff of her Chinachem Group, tycoons and government officials.
The Oriental Daily, a Chinese-language newspaper, reported that Wang's family has a third will that Wang prepared shortly before she died.
Midgley said his firm is preparing papers to prove the validity of will. He left without taking reporters' questions.
Wang inherited the real estate empire of her husband, who was kidnapped in 1990 and later declared dead although his body was never found.
Concluding an eight-year legal battle that dominated headlines, HongKong's Court of Final Appeal last year ruled against Wang's father-in-law, who accused her of forging his son's will.
Thai PM 'turns to fengshui' to boost fortune'
April 21, 2007
Bangkok- THAILAND's army-backed Prime Minister is hoping an office revamp will boost his flagging political fortunes, a news report said yesterday.
General Surayud Chulanont, who came to power after a coup last September, has rearranged Government House in a bid to boost the embattled junta, the Bangkok Post said.
The facelift has been carried out to conform to the principles of fengshui, the ancient Chinese practice of arranging buildings and objects to achieve harmony with the environment, the daily said.
The facelift has been installed outside his office,potted plants with auspicious names have been placed around the building, and cat's eyes - reflective road studs - have been put in the main driveway, it said.
All pictures of former prime ministers, including Gen Surayad's deposed predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra, who has remained in self-exile abroad since the putsch, have also been removed from the building.
The government confirmed there had been an 'adjusting the landscape' but denied it was along the lines of fengshui.
'I don't think it was initiatde by the Prime Minister to boost his popularity,' deputy government spokesman Nattawat Suttiyotin said.
'He would choose another way to do this - for example, by working hard.'
Gen Surayud's government has been heavily criticised over a number of policy misuses, including poor economic management and escalating violence in the kingdom's restive Muslim-majority south.
It is not the first time the country's leaders have looked to fengshui.
Mr Thaksin's political party, Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) was also reported to have rearranged its offices according to fengshui principles in the hope of reversing its fortunes last year.
The rearrangement was done in the midst of street protests demanding his resignation over alleged abuse of power and corruption.
S'pore's IR? No, it's Abu Dhabi's Gate District
Similarities between design of Marina Bay resort and Gulf project raise eyebrows
By Krist Boo
Aug 04, 2006
The Straits Times
Iconic, yes. But is it original? A key feature of the design of the Marina Bay integrated resort to be built by Las Vegas Sands - a 1ha sky garden that links three hotel towers - bears a striking resemblance to a development that is already being built in Abu Dhabi. Called The Gate District, the project with a view of the Gulf Sea has eight blocks, four of which are connected by a covered roof-top sky lobby.
Like the Marina Bay Sands, the development consisting of apartments, a hotel, shops and offices is also slated to open in 2009.
Alerted to the Abu Dhabi project by a reader, The Straits Times showed several people the photographs and some, like Master Victor Li of Li's Feng Shui, were surprised at the similarities.
Speaking in Mandarin, Master Li said: 'So ours is not original, and its not even as good in fengshui principles. Their four blocks arranged in an arc is better than our three joss sticks.'
Even the architect behind the Sands design, Mr Moshe Safdie, conceded there was an 'uncanny resemblance', but the similarity ends there, he said.
In a telephone interview from Boston, the award-winning architect said he was shown a picture of the Middle East development after Sands' win in May.
He said: 'While it's the same idea of bridging, it's totally different in form, character, function, and assembly of the whole.'
The Abu Dhabi project is a collection of tall buildings, but the bayfront resort consists of three low-rise domes, a lotus-shaped theatre, and a promontory, he said.
His concept was several years in the works, the result of a research fellowship studying various ways of bridging high-rise buildings.
Mr Safdie, whose resume includes the Salt Lake City Public Library in the US and The Edge on Cairnhill condominium here, said: 'I had absolutely no awareness of the Abu Dhabi project, I can tell you under oath on my professional integrity.'
Mr Safdie's work played a major role in helping Sands secure the licence for Singapore's first casino-resort, in a heated four-corner contest that ranked 'iconic' architecture as one key requirement.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which headed the design judging panel, said that the Sands resort has 'many distinctive features' apt for the bay, such as its landscaped balconies looking over the new botanic gardens and its reflective glass facade which looks back at the city.
Seeing no problem with the resemblance to the Abu Dhabi project, the URA spokesman added: 'It is not uncommon for buildings to share similarities in terms of their geometric forms and composition.
'What makes each development unique is the way that the buildings are put together in response to the design brief and the relation to their surrounding context and climate.'
Architect John Ting agrees. Citing Duxton Plain, where Singapore's tallest HDB flats are being built with connecting sky bridges, he added there was no original idea to steal in the first place.
'The idea of a roof-top that connects high-rise blocks is not unique.'
This is not the first time the design of Marina Bay Sands has come under scrutiny. It made news in June for what geomancers said was terrible fengshui. They likened it to a drowning building, a blade and an ancestral tablet.
Mr Safdie remains unfazed. He said: 'I hope they scrutinise the building. I think it speaks for itself. I have no concern, so long as they do not think less of it because they have seen the Abu Dhabi project.'
krist@sph.com.sg
14 February 2006
Planning to set up your new home? Here's all you need to know, from contractors to home appliances.
By Jessey Beh - 14 February 2006
AsiaOne Exclusive
A – Air ventilation
In sunny Singapore, ventilation is crucial if you are not planning to live in an oven. Decide in advance the number of air-conditioning units you need, because it will be tricky to add them once you have installed the system.
Curtains should complement the theme of your home. Choose a fabric and colour that suits the mood you want to achieve. Prices for 'Mirage' fabrics start from $15 per metre and 'Mirage' blinds start from $1.80 per square foot. |
B – Blinds and curtains
Take your pick from the various types of blinds and curtains available in the market. There are roller blinds, Venetian blinds, Roman blinds, or day and night curtains. "The right choice of window covering is pertinent to ensure that they complement the overall theme of your home," says Mr Mark Lee, owner of Mirage Focus Pte Ltd, which specialises in window coverings and interior furnishings. "It is important to have a general idea of the type of window covering you prefer prior to renovation, so that there adequate space can be left for subsequent installation."
C – Colour
Artist Georgia O'Keeffe once said, "I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn't say any other way ... things I had no words for." Colour is a strong voice you can give to your apartment. Try to go beyond safe pastels and express yourself. You can start experimenting at www.ici.com.sg.
D – Designer items
Sometimes, a home may need just one designer piece to make an impression. If you are thinking of getting one, do make it an item in the living area – be it a chair, table or lamp – as this is where your guests are likely to be.
E – Energy savers
Electrical appliances now come with energy-saving functions. Look out for them in refrigerators, air-conditioners, washing machines and even light bulbs. They could shave a lot off your electricity bill!
F – Furnishing
Ms Susie Tay, CEO and founder of The Life Shop, quotes the Gucci motto: "Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten." Pick up that special piece of furniture you always wanted, she advises. The rest will follow. "Furniture is here to stay. Right choices give comfort, and the wrong ones become clutter. Be adventurous. Experiment with themes like resort, contemporary, retro, or eclectic. Most importantly, pick one that suits your lifestyle. You can also add in memorabilia gathered from your vacations to give your home a personal touch."
G – Geomancy
"A house with good geomancy will bring good health and harmony to the occupants," says Master Vincent Koh of Singapore Feng Shui Centre. "It is better to get the feng shui right before moving into your new home to avoid unnecessary and costly adjustments later on. The usual areas of concern are furniture arrangement, bed placement and kitchen layout."
H – Home security system
These days, the security system is more than just an alarm mechanism. There is 24-hour monitoring service, fire detection and protection, as well as onsite service calls and more. Check out the websites of CISCO (www.cisco.com.sg) and Chubb (www.chubb.com.sg) for more information.
I – Interior designer versus contractor
Most couples today go to an interior designer instead of a contractor, as the former can help to plan your home layout and give a thematic feel to your pad. However, if you have a flair for interior design, you can consider going for a contractor, who is more of a middleman between home owners and suppliers, to save on the design fee.
With the options available today, there need not be a question of fashion or function for lightings - you can have both with this unique and funky touch lamp that is also a burner. Mosaic touch lamp cum burner, price: $49.90, available in assorted colours from Homebody. |
J – Junior's room
Your child's room is his haven, and should be decorated with him in mind – so bright colours, sturdy but comfortable furniture and beds, storage for books and toys, even cartoon or animal murals should be the order of the day. Just remember that as a child grows, his needs and taste change too. So be prepared to update and make any necessary changes every few years. If you're not sure, seek an interior decorator for advice.
K – Kitchen
"A good kitchen should serve as the centre of every home. It is a room for communication, where family and friends gather to chat, cook, eat and generally spend time together. The ideal kitchen counter is at the right height, has sufficient shelving and storage facilities, and is adequately lit for working," recommends Mr Mahmud Karim, Kitchen Division Manager from Kitchen Culture.
L – Lighting
The amount and type of lighting can set different tones and ambience for different parts of your home. Do also note that different types of lighting work with different colours around the house. Generally, go for warm lights if you have a lot of warm colours at home, and bright lights if you have cool colours.
M – Mattress
"A mattress that is too firm will cause discomfort as there will be pressure on the parts of the body that press against it; and a mattress that is too soft will cause the body to 'sag' as the heavier parts sink in, resulting in backache, says Mr Lee Chee Yan, General Manager of mattress brand, Sealy. "When buying a mattress, make sure you feel comfortable when lying on it, and that the spring system will give good skeletal support."
Plants need not sit in boring brown pots. Put your greens into cute bowls like this for a twist. Volcanic ash round bowl on foot, price: $19 from The Life Shop. |
N – Nature
Make the effort to bring nature into your home. Potted plants can help to add life to an otherwise dull room as well as create a tranquil environment for you to relax in, enhancing the feeling of well-being. They are also smart solutions for hiding awkward corners.
O – Open concept
A no-door, open home concept reduces boundaries and can actually add intimacy. Use curtains instead of doors for a touch of romance.
P – Pictures
Fill up blank walls with memories of your time together. Not only are they good ways to beautify your place, pictures are also good at telling your story to visitors.
Q – Quality checks
At the end of each renovation phase, take the effort to do quality checks together with your interior designer or contractor. Use the opportunity to point out all areas of concern, if any.
R – Rest and relaxation
In our fast-paced society, it is essential to install a rest-and-relax corner in your home. Stuff it with all your favourite plush toys, cushions, and a state-of-the-art sound system to chill out with.
S – Space
"Create" space with the use of mirrors and wall colours. Clever furniture layouts can also give the illusion of more space.
T – Tiles
Some of the more popular tiles that home owners go for include ceramic, homogenous, marble, granite and vinyl tiles – depending on their budget. Generally, ceramic tiles are known for their hardiness and low prices, while marble and granite tiles are of higher quality and price range, with homogenous tiles hovering somewhere in between. More information can be found on Housing @ eCitizen (hsg.ecitizen.gov.sg).
Interesting crockery will definitely stir up the conversation at the dining table. Rice Bowl, price: $5.90, chopsticks, holder and sauce dish, price: $25.90 and rectangle towel plate, price: $4.90, all from The Life Shop. |
U – Utensils
Invest in quality utensils because these are items that you use frequently. Visit major department stores for quality brands.
V – Vanity top
A vanity top in the bathroom is essential if you want your grooming products to be easily accessible.
W – Wall covering
You can create a visual centrepiece by blowing up a favourite picture of a sunset, seashore, or even yourself to a a wall-sized laminate. The result: a bold wall feature instead of a pretty but monotonous wallpaper background. Check with companies like Printedge Communications (tel: 6846 5565) for a quote on the cost involved for both production and installation of a wall covering.
X – X-tras
Little extras can enhance your home. Knick-knacks like pepper and salt shakers, lamps, cushions, clocks and vases can add that extraordinary touch to your love nest.
Y – Yin and yang
Hold the urge to fill your display areas with too many feminine (e.g. soft toys) or masculine (e.g. toy robots) items. Balance the yin and yang for a neutral look to please everyone.
Z – Zonal segregation
While this appears at the bottom of the list, it should be the first task to take on if you do not want to wage war with your spouse during the renovation process. Decide who has the final say for which home zone to ensure a happy ending.
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HONG KONG : The world can expect a roller coaster ride of conflict and unrest, natural disasters and a plunge in global stock markets once the Year of the Pig begins, Chinese soothsayers say.
As the world says farewell to the Year of the Dog on Sunday, believers in Chinese superstitions have been busy consulting fortune tellers, feng shui geomancers and a wealth of new books for the year's fortunes.
Chinese fortunes are based on a belief that events are dictated by the different balances in the elements that make up the earth -- gold, wood, water, fire and earth.
Feng shui expert Raymond Lo said that according to ancient Chinese belief, the Year of the Pig is symbolised by two elements -- fire sitting on top of water.
"Fire sitting on water is a symbol of conflict and skirmish, and this may bring a relatively less peaceful year with more international conflicts and struggles," he said.
Lo said the last time such an arrangement appeared was in 2002, the year that followed the September 11 terrorist attacks.
"It is anticipated that there will be more international conflicts and disharmony, which will even lead to regional warfare, uprising and unrest, or the overthrow of governments in certain countries," he said.
The elemental arrangement for 2007, with fire standing on top, could represent openness, optimism and warmth, but it can also bring fire disasters and huge explosions, Lo said.
The Chinese calendar moves in 60-year cycles, meaning the world will experience in the new year events similar to those that took place in 1947.
In that turbulent year, the Cold War began in earnest when then US president Truman declared his anti-communist doctrine and the Soviet Union rejected a US plan for atomic weapons control, sparking the nuclear arms race.
That year saw the same elemental arrangement with yin fire dominant in the Year of the Pig.
"So it will not be surprising that there will be more gun battles, murder with guns, bombing attacks in the year 2007," Lo added.
-- World faces unrest and disharmony but all ends well --
The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and associates each of the 12 years forming a partial cycle with an animal. The pig is the last in the zodiac sequence that begins with the rat, followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster and dog.
Fortune-tellers base their predictions on the relationship between the zodiac animals and the characteristics of each animal year.
They also take into account the changing balance over the years in the five spiritual elements that Chinese philosophy believes form the core of the universe -- gold, wood, water, fire and earth.
Feng shui expert Lee Sing-tong predicts serious conflict in the Middle East this coming year.
"Religious wars will turn intense. There will be large-scale warfare or explosions," said Lee, a third-generation feng shui master.
He also expects serious diplomatic conflicts in the East, for instance between China and Japan, and says the problem will be most acute until May 5.
Fortune teller Alion Yeo, who predicted nuclear testing in North Korea last year, said there is a chance that the power of Pyongyang's leader, Kim Jong-il, will weaken.
"This will most likely happen between June and July. I can see their leader is in bad luck during the period. This means something will be changed: someone might replace him or he might fall ill," Yeo said.
"There might be a chance that he would leave his position or hand over his duty to someone else," he added.
The Year of the Pig will largely be a smooth one for the United States, although Yeo predicts an interest rate hike in the third quarter and a big accident between June and July.
"It could be a big fire or an explosion. It would be something that draws the world's attention and causes the stock market to fall," he said, adding however that the market would quickly recover.
Yeo also predicts a strong earthquake, at least 7.0 on the Richter scale, in a Japanese city between March and April. But the number of wounded would be limited by the earthquake resistance of the country's architecture.
Although Yeo anticipates global unrest, he expects a mediator will come in to balance the tense situation between conflicting countries.
"I don't think it will be that bad this year. Although there will be a lot of unrest and disharmony, problems will be solved in the end," he said.
Lo agreed. The pig belongs to the water element and is the birth month of wood. The pig symbolises the germination of plants and when new life is born.
"The pig year can bring a new beginning of international relationships and social orders, this could bring new regimes with new governments in some countries," he said.
And Lee predicts the birth of someone of national importance to China.
He said this person will be born on June 30 between 5.00-6.59 am Hong Kong time (21.00-22.59 GMT) somewhere in the east or south of the country.
"This date of birth is very rare. It only happens once every 60 years. It is very difficult to see such a good fate," he said.
Lee said he did not publish this prediction in his latest feng shui book for fear of inciting mothers to plan their pregnancies to occur at that time.
"I don't want to ruin the natural order. I don't want someone planning their pregnancy artificially. Heaven might not allow it," he said.
"But this child would be a prodigy, very intelligent and talented. This person would have the quality to become China's leader or a prime minister," he added.
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