13

13

It is universally known that 13 is unlucky number or what so called “malas(bad luck). Number 13 for me is quite special. Some of you may lament, “so what?” Well, you’ll be amazed about my research and interpretation of the number 13. I’ve been in a lot of challenges in my life, some failed and some succeeded too, and I believe there are no unlucky numbers or so. There are no “malas” in anything that GOD created. This piece focuses my special interest on the number 13. This extreme enthusiasm on this charming and magical number has become even greater and almost an obsession after I found out more amazing things about it. Maybe, many of you who read and learned about these things started to “count on it” as far as their friends and love ones, their interest and for themselves as well as concerned. Suddenly, fingers were flicking one by one and lips silently mumbling numbers at the same time. And suddenly too, counting is put to use in another capacity and not the usual “safe days” check.

What do style and fashion icons Giorgio Armani. Marks & Spencer, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Dior, Tommy Hilfiger has in common? Yes! They all have thirteen letters in their names! Strange? Here’s more-how about Dolce & Gabbana? Thirteen, thirteen, thirteen! The “&” sign is counted as one letter. Some would say that, “kaya nga nilagyan ng “&” sign para maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng 13. No way! “&” sign is really counted as one letter dahil kung hindi, eh di sana nilagyan na lang ng nila ng word “and” o kaya virgule o slash as in Dolce/Gabbana, o kaya hyphen! Sinadya talaga to count “&” sign as one letter to make it 13 characters and that’s the only way. Kasi kung word “and” it would sum up into fifteen.

What do you think? Is it just a coincidence? An occurrence without reason? I don’t think so. For all I know, we learn our alphabet and our numbers all at the same time. No solid evidence that we learn to read and writes the numbers first before the letters or vise versa. We gain knowledge and understanding of these “gifts” at the same time. So when we start to write our name as a kid, we unconsciously count the letters and that, I believe, our way of checking if our writing was right.

And when we mature after learning a lot, common and uncommon sense and this covers decision making, even feng shui, the luck factors and the like, we’d still do the same in our creations of a title or name for any project or product. I believe that the most common popular choice for a letter count is number 13. And I also believe that most, if not all, or the fashion gods I mentioned came up with their brand names with the number 13, in mind, Hilfiger could have just named his “Tommy H” or “Tom Hilfiger”. But why and why again he chooses and used Tommy Hilfiger? Giorgio could have just settled for “Armani” or “Giormani”.  Not to forget by the way, Emporio Armani has 13 letters too.

Here’s some more successful business brands; the pillars in their fields, Patek Philippe, Cathay Pacific, Caesars Palace, and Johnnie Walker. It can be Johhny Walker, right? Or even Cathay Air. China Air Lines was a member of a club too. We know for a fact that Chinese popularized feng shui, but why and why again China Air Lines has 13 letters?

Well for me these fashion and business rulers are just plain lucky to have 13 letters in their business names. Or maybe their parents were already “13” cultists and devotees that time. Who knows? I KNOW…and I know too that this number could be very lucky for some…And here they are the two king of Philippine movies, Dolphy and FPJ, start counting Rodolfo Quizon…Fernando Poe Jr., and never ever forget Joseph Estrada! The 13^th president of this country.

To add more on the list of “thirteeners”-Paul Mc Cartney, Paolo Bediones, Quinito Henson, Martin Nievera, Randy Santiago, Chino Trinidad, Recah Trinidad, Chavit Singson, Fredie Garcia, Dominic Zapata, Bobby Barriero, Johnny Delgado.

I’m sure some women may react and may accuse me of being unfair to them. In the spirit of fairness, listed below are the members of the “thirteeners”. Marilyn Monroe, Amalia Fuentes, Britney Spears, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Shue, Sandra Bullock, Angelina Jolie, Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez, Manilyn Reynes, Carmen Rosales, Camile Velasco, AiAi Delas Alas, Pops Fernandez, Sarah Geronimo and Erich Gonzales.

Another male “thirteeners” who are legendary winners and exponents in their fields are Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, Sonny Belmonte, Michael De Mesa, Hilario Davide, Aguilar Alcuaz, Saddam Hussein, Burt Bacharach, Nelson Mandela, Neil Armstrong, Panfilo Lacson, the two basketball greats, Earvin Johnson and Michael Jordan and the boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.

Are these “thirteeners ever crossed in your mind? Gautama Buddha, Jesus Nazareth and Mary Magdalene are members of the club too.

Well I hope you enjoy reading my piece and one thing for sure thata there’s no such call “malas”. All we need is just to “BELIEVE ON OURSELVES” because we create our own destiny. Siguraduhin lang na wala tayong naa-agrabyadong iba…

Wait! Before putting an end…why don’t you try counting the name of the person who wrote this piece?

*CHARLIE LIMSON* YES! I’m proud to be a member of the club too...

CIAO! GOD BLESS!

VALUE OF A TREE!

a tree is worth $193,250 according to professor t.m. das of university of caLcutta. a tree Living for 50 years wiLL generate $32,250 worth of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air poLLution controL, controL soiL erosion and increase soiL fertiLity, to the tune of $31,250, recycLe $37,500 worth of water and provide home for animaLs worth $31, 250. this figure does not incLude the vaLue of fruits, Lumber or beauty derived from the trees. just another sensibLe reason to take care of our forests..."
SAVE OUR MOTHER EARTH"