Unrecognized Artwork by ANG KIU KOK

This painting of the ANG KIU KOK was not acquired through a public bidding, neither from an auction house. It was a gift from the PAINTER HIMSELF, ANG KIU KOK! We were friends way back in the mid '60s. When I was studying and learning how to fly at the Far Eastern Aeronautic Technology Institute.

I befriended a classmate and his name was Amor Ong Nai-Bon, who was a colleaque/associate of Ang Kiu-Kok. They both taught at Chiang Kai-Shek High School. (nowChiang Kai-Shek College.)

During those days, whenever I had free time, I would always visit them at their school. Kiu-Kok taught arts that includes painting, and Amor taught math. My classmate, Amor is indeed a genius, he spoke and wrote in 7 to 8 languages that includes Chinese, Filipino, Spanish, German and Arabic. He was so fluent in French, he got 2-Diplomas from Alliance France in Paris, 1 for teaching in Vocational schools and 1 for teaching in the universities (even before he went to study in Paris, France, he used to work with the French Embassy in Manila.)

It seems, I am writing biographies of my 2 close departed friends! Both Kiu-Kok and Amor are gentlemen of a few words! I am the one who is very talkative! Anyway, aside from being men of few words and deep thinkers, their friendship grew and they were inseparable. They both admired each others' TALENTS!

My purpose of writing this piece is to make clear how this painting came to my possession! And at the same time, to take this opportunity to relate my association with Ang Kiu-Kok and my classmate Amor; how it came about and how it lasted all those years.

During the mid-'60s, Kiu-Kok was in his mid or late 20's and I was only a teenager of 16 or 17. He was a hard working youngman, painting is not yet his profession but it was his PASSION. This painting was a gift to me by the great ANG KIU KOK himself on a very important occasion, my birthday. The Painting's medium is mixture of water color and pastel, and it is one of his very first PAINTING IN CUBISM. It was through this painting that he started to develop his works on Cubism in Oil! His early works were mostly Pen and Ink. His sketches were made to teach his pupils in the school.

This painting was done in 1968 and does not appear in his published catalogue of works.

(This painting is for sale, those interested you can contact me).

My Photos at Fort Ilocandia

Photos taken at Fort Ilocandia during my recent trip to Ilocos Norte.

Looking for Love : Seeking the One

A Valentine Special of the Philippine Star
Looking for Love : Seeking the One

By Nathalie Adele Tomada
February 14, 2004

Excerpt

“Many come to me to know what the future holds for their love life,” admits Julius, a Tarot and I-Ching Reader who does sessions in classy Monsoon Restaurant in Linden Suites in Ortigas for the month of February.

An architect by profession, this half-Vietnamese, half-Filipino clarifies he is no fortune-teller. He got interested in palmistry at a very young age. By the time he reache 14, he was tagged by adults, impressed by his rare talent, as the “little prophet”. His passion had earned him an invitation to join the Oa Seekers’ Cove, a Tarot-Reading and Counseling Center, that holds sessions in malls and hotels.

Some people say that in every divination there is a grain of common sense. But what about truth? Whether you believe or not, Julius shares that just by reading palms he has discovered well-guarded secrets of high-heeled women and even closet stories of the most manly men.

Julius proceeds to study both of my palms and explains that the active hand, the one used for writing, will show where you are likely headed while the inactive hand shows where you have been passive.

It’s not difficult to realize that one attraction of a reading of your future is that touch of drama. It may be through all-the way theatrics: a grim-faced, husky manghuhula with gypsy attire and a crystal ball to boot. Or it could be as subtle as how Julius takes a long look at you, then writes down your name and lights a candle to illuminate the rather dim, private corner of the restaurant.

He speaks low and puts on a concerned expression as he stops to listen when you’re in the mood to confide. I had to quip he’d make a good shrink.

Julius does palmistry and combines it with Tarot reading. He explains that palmistry, which is best done in the morning when you have not eaten anything thus making the lines clearer, is said for reading important events in your lifetime. The Tarot, on the other hand, is used to specify dates.

He points out my heart line (the one line that starts from under the Mount of mercury reaching under the index finger and the Mount of Jupiter that’s said to determine the existence of a love life or the lack there of) and sees a relationship coming in the nearest future. And before my imagination runs away with romantic illusions of a tall, dark and brooding stranger, he unwraps a silk handkerchief to draw good vibrations, and unveils a deck of crisp Tarot cards. He asks that I think of something that concerns me at the moment then cut the cards in three. The ominous card of Death reveals itself – but it doesn’t mean what you think.

“It means transformation. It means that you have to…” But I cut him short and tell him yes , there’s one thing that I wanted to transform in my life, etc., etc., - taking care of the ‘fortune-telling’ for him. Other cards cover other areas in my life , but honestly not too much crop up on love life (whatever your concerns at the time of the reading will show in the cards, he says) so I ask for a special reading. He instructs me to select four cards from the upside-down ones and, amazingly, as unexpected as an afterthought, on the fourth and final card the Lovers Card surfaces. I don’t know what it has to do with the timeline, but he says mysteriously, “In three to four months something’s going to happen…”

Julius punctuates our reading that I am still the captain of my fate – and perhaps, writer of my own love story. But for the meantime, when someone asks, I’ll know what to say: whether it would take three months or a lifetime – I know The One is coming and I don’t mind waiting.  

(This excerpt was lifted from a feature article written by Nathalie Adele Tomada for Philippine Star’s Valentine Special published in February 14, 2004.)

Feng Shui your Room

Special Section of the Philippine Star
Over Coffee
March 11, 2005

Feng Shui your Room

Professional architect and Feng shui expert, Julius Leenon let us in on a 6,000 year-old secret to harnessing elements.

Beauty should be followed by form and form should be followed by function,” he says. At the core of this working mantra lies the profound truth that drives his creations – COMMON SENSE. Not as focused on aesthetics as he is on function, Julius Leenon marries architecture and Feng Shui effortlessly in believing that a thing makes most sense when it is with purpose. “ A home should suit the individual’s needs and preferences, otherwise it is not really a home. Feng Shui seeks the most harmonious way to live, and although it rides on some basic principles, how these are applied should adapt to the home owner’s personality and lifestyle. Its goal is to create balance and harmony by combining ancient Chinese wisdom with practical common sense.”

Julius Leenon believes that fate and destiny are two different things. We cannot change our fate we can change our destiny. How? By creating a balance in our homes, in the attitudes and habits that we practice, as well as in the objects inside our houses that represent them.

Bedroom – one third of your life is spent in the bedroom, making it a vital part of the house. According to Julius, northwest is a unlucky location for 2005, however this can easily be cured by hanging a wind chime in this particular corner to reduce negative energy.

Colors – do affect our mood. Feng Shui, Green represents life, growth, and vitality; Red induces excitement and warmth; Yellow and Brown arouse feelings of security and contentment. Blue and black (water) compliment green and brown (wood), because water produces wood. Red visibly clashes with blue, but they are also considered “incompatible” because blue (water) destroys red (fire).
Plants – can speed up and slow down energy. Use different shaped plants for different effects.

Furniture – inside the bedroom can help “enhance the good life,” such as a reclining chair, a comfortable two seat sofa, and a lush bed. Living well begets living well.

Eliminate noise – invasive music, clutter. Too harsh lights, even things that remind you of work – anything that could defeat the bedroom’s purpose, which is rest.

Chi – acts like the light. Use mirrors to regulate light, in turn regulating the flow of Chi throughout the room. Bright lights stimulate Chi throughout the room. Bright light stimulate Chi, dim lights slow it down. Upward-shining lights or any form of indirect lighting can instantly uplift a room’s atmosphere.


(Note: the article was published at Philippine Star in 2005)

Q&A - Series 1

Question and Answer - Series 1

Dear Readers I am starting a new Q&A Series here in my blog for the usual questions I am asked. These are questions I regularly encountered from clients and other seekers asking for my services. Some of these questions were also raised to me by journalist and other people interested in tarot card reading. So to start with is a question that was asked to me several years back that I would like to feature here.


Q: Is it true that women consult tarot card readers more often than men?

A: Most of my clients are 80% women. Some may consider it indecisiveness on the part of women to seek assistance from us tarot card readers but I consider it a kind of maturity. This makes women more intelligent decision maker and enlightened. After all we just read what is in their card and it is up to the seeker to follow or not what the card tells. I believe that an individual is the master of her own destiny even if the card tells something about her past, future and present.

But most often at the end of the reading my clients would thank me for the advice and the courage that I speak to them the truth, affirming the reliability of the reading and its applicability in their lives. So they make promise to deal with whatever adversity they will face and come along the way.

For my female clients, 90 % of them seek advice on love and relationship problems. About 60% are single who are in a relationship and the rest are married. Well, most of us when we are in love we tend to lose reason that we are become over powered by emotions thus we could not decide and think clearly so we need to be guided and enlightened, so that is where we tarot cards reader comes in to provide and interpret for seekers the direction shown in their cards.

My clients are equally happy with my unique and additional services that I provide them. I validate my tarot card reading with plotting their birth chart and reading their palm. So I provide them a more wholistic perspective and view of their lives.

When plotting the birth chart I take into account their birthday. But in accordance to Chinese horoscope of the four pillars which mean: year, month, day and time, the most important aspect is to know is the exact time of their birthday. Then a more accurate reading of an individual’s life could be taken into account. In a way it is like a prognosis of a person life whether she will become rich or poor, happy or unhappy.

Palm reading is another service that I provide to complement tarot reading. There are many aspect in a person’s life written on her palm such as her life span, the quality of her life (a good life or not) according to prosperity related to career, job, business, as well as relationship (how many, whether the person remains single or gets married) and even number of kids could be seen on the palm. One caution though, the lines on the palm changes over time but there are three basic lines called heaven (link with the emotional and relationship), earth (life span) and human being (career and prosperity) that are fixed. Both external and internal factors however may affect some changes in the heaven lines of the palm.

I have regular clients who come to me on a yearly basis. Although it is hard to track down the progress of my clients like any therapist you would rely allow for an individual to determine their needs for assistance in the first place they come to me on their own volition. So I give them the same freedom and does not impose on them to come back for a regular reading. It is up to them to determine when they stop or continue to come for a tarot card reading.

In my case at least 15 to 25 % come back for their yearly tarot card reading. Most tarot card readers would say a six-month period would take into effect and applicable for a reading. The months of November, December and Chinese New Year are the peak seasons when I get consulted the most.

Chuang Tzu- A Book of Wisdom on Nature

What does it mean by Wisdom of Nature?

Here is a lovely story which may explain itself what Chuang Tzu
meant of Wisdom of Nature (or natural wisdom of the Great Universe)

Once upon a time a certain skilled carpenter, lets call him Master Shik, he is accompanying several of his disciples in visiting another state. On their journey they come across a very huge tree growing beside a local earth god temple, its tree trunk reaches almost half the mountain top, so high then its branches start spread out, it is ten times higher than the earth temple and its shape can accommodate thousands of cows or carabaos(water buffalo) to rest and or sleep underneath it.

Master Shik's disciples were all astounded by the strange giant tree. But Master Shik did not mind it at all not even bother to look at the tree, he just continue on with his journey without his disciples.

Not soon after his disciples catch-up on him and asked:
"Master since we were with you learning your crafts but we never have seen such a huge tree ever in our lives! Why did you not even pay a little attention to such a wonderful tree, its good quality trunk could be made into a wood craft?

The Master said: "Never mind, its just an ordinary tree-not a much useful tree for me, neither it is a quality tree as well so why waste your time looking at it?"

When evening came the master carpenter had a strange dream, he dreamt that the giant tree spoke to him saying: "During the day why were you talking a lot of nonsense to your disciples that I am a useless ordinary tree. I say you're the one who is useless and ordinary person; why don't you think carefully, if I am useful to you you would have chopped me down. How could I live up to this day and become a giant tree? If you think I am useless; I think otherwise, for me I am more useful than you." after hearing this the master carpenter was so pleased and ask for forgiveness from the tree : "I am very sorry, now I know you're a tree full of great wisdom."

Next morning Master Shik told his disciples about his dream last night. His disciples were very happy to hear it. But one of his disciples suddenly said: "Master, if the tree also considers itself useless why he had to grow along side with the temple and attract the attention of temple goers?"

The Master replied:"That is a good question, but lower your tone otherwise the tree might over hear us again... now let me tell you secretly... A useless tree should not grow anywhere at will, otherwise if he grows in the middle of a road, definitely it will be cut-down sooner or later. That's why it grows beside the temple ground. People will have a second thought, they will believe that the tree is for the temple gods to rest so nobody will dare cut it down!"


The realization is:

Useful or Useless is but a man's judgment, it is the Value of the Opposite/Contrast, in other words what is Useful to me might be Useless to you or others. Therefore the realization of wisdom should above board the Value! If the Purpose of man; if in his life time he is to chase after his ideals or values would be comparable to racing against his own shadow!
He will waste his entire energy for nothing!

Here is another Discourse of Chuang Tze and his good friend Wei Tzu about:

The Happiness of the Fishes in the Pond: "You're not fish how do you know if the fish is Happy?

One day Chuang Tzu and Wei Tzu are strolling on a bridge over a pond of fishes...

Chuang Tzu said: "Ah the little white fishes are so free...How happy are the fishes indeed!"

Wei Tzu said: "Well you're not a fish, how do you know that the fishes are happy?"

Chuang Tzu said; "You're not me how would you know that I do not know the fishes are happy or not?"

Wei Tzu said: "I am not you, definitely I do not know you! But you're not the fish, therefore you won't know either whether the fishes are happy or not?"

Chuang Tzu: " Its not that, let us go back to our original dialogue when you said: "How do you know that the fishes are happy? At that point, you already knew that I know the fishes are happy, therefore you asked me! now I can tell you How do I know why the fishes are happy? Its from the bridge that I realized it!"


The Realization is:

....to be continued...

but try to figure it out if we got the same Realization on this....

Chuang Tzu - book full of great wisdom

Finally after a long time, I have something to post here in my blog. I have been busy with readings (thanks to those who are spreading my services by word of mouth and discovered me through forum and chat rooms), feng shui consultancy work and a small construction job that overwhelmed the owner for having cut the working days almost by half of the original work period.


So I had the time to put together this reflection of a most revered philosopher.


Chuang Tzu is a book full of great wisdom of the Universe (his nature trip in general)

I found the following 10-points can best describe the Philosophy of Chuang Tzu:

1) That man(human being) should have a realization of himself...
Why he exists? (or a Self-Realization of his own existence!)
2) That man possesses unlimited time and space will continue
to intertwine with one another on and on with nature.
3) That man must use nature to observe everything and anything
within his reach...
4) In other words man should not draw himself out of/from
another person. and
5) never through nature draw out mankind...
6) never through the unworthiness draw out the worthiness...
7) never through the past nor the future draw out the present...
8) never through death draw out life...
9) never through the unlimited universe draw out the limited universe...
10) Only when you realized and conquered your own bondage then you
can truly be free... (obtain true freedom of the self.)

A great naturist as he was, I would rather consider him as an environmentalist
in our modern time...

His followers used to compare him to Lao Tzu, as Paul to Jesus and
Plato to Socrates..

As a great lover of nature himself, he developed the doctrines of
Taoism with rigorous logic,as Gia-Fu Feng wrote about him...His fables and humor are imaginative and poetic, reflecting a brilliant and original mind. He advocated relativity with regard to all standards and values.

He is at once a mystic and a revolutionary.

The rhythm of life and its organic vision, an idea poetically implied by Lao Tzu, is brought to perfect expression in the writing of Chuang Tzu.

Chuang Tzu transcended the "Whang Cheng", the Illusory dust of the world--- thus anticipating ZEN Buddhism (I would call it Zen Nature) and therefore laying the metaphysical
foundation for a state of emptiness or ego transcendence. With imagery
and fantasy, he captures the depth of Chinese thinking....

Whereas Zen Buddhism became a school of thought contributed and benefited tremendously from Chuang Tzu deep observation of nature...

I am now integrating his profound ideology of nature with Zen nature, not Zen nature as a religion but Zen as a Science where you cultivate then suddenly you realize....

For the past several years, I have been integrating the co-relationships of my favorite 4-Fields
of study: The I-Ching, Tarot, Numerology and Astrology(Chinese and
western Zodiac)....

About Chuang Tzu:

He was a contemporary of Confucius (Kong Tzu) of the 4th and 5th
century B.C. during the Warring Period of Song Dynasty, he served as a
Lacquer Garden Official. (My belief that why he had a deep understanding of
plants in its relations to nature).

Related Reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuangzi