ASTROLOGY PHILIPPINES

By Resti H. Santiago As we welcome a new chapter in our history, we are thankful for the sacrifices made by many individuals who have devoted their lives to the service of the country and to the emancipation of our race. Ambeth Ocampo. There were many of them who died without ever seeing Inang Bayan free. Some of them are famous but most of them are not. Their heroism would have been forgotten if not for the efforts of historians who keep the memory of our heroes alive and relevant in our era. One such historian who has done much in our time and whose name may reverberate for the rest of the 21st century is Ambeth Ocampo, considered as a historian who has achieved a rock star status. Studying the past It is interesting to note that though worlds apart  —  the astrologer and the historian share the same passion in studying the past. Both dig up facts that they can share with the present generation of readers with the intention to make the future better. The reas...

By Resti H. Santiago Andres Bonifacio The concept of fate was not very popular in the 20th century because the previous century's mantra was all about freedom. This may partly explain why astrology has to be reformulated. But denying fate would not eliminate it from our lives. If we are to believe Plato's "Myth of Er," fate is actually an agreement or arrangement that we had with God, sealed by the Fates, prior to one's incarnation. Denying that there is no binding agreement does not free us from what has actually been agreed upon. It is for this reason that I want to emphasize that despite 20th century thought, fate still exists. But that does not mean there is no free will. A more realistic approach that astrology can show is that there is fate, and there is free will. The reason why astrologers can make predictions is because there is fate. The reason why astrologers can err in their interpretation is because there is free will. Clotho, from where...

By Resti H. Santiago Photo by Noel Mapalo It's National Heroes Day and it's a good time for us to look up at our heroes and learn from their struggles. Astrologically speaking, anyone can be a hero, a star in his or her own right. There is no specific astrological configuration that we can look for in a natal chart to determine beforehand that an individual will become a hero or not. Why is this so? Because becoming a hero is a choice. The interaction between the struggle that a group of people is experiencing and the inner struggles of an individual with a strong sense of "fate" and mission becomes magnified and urges that individual look beyond himself and to think of the greater good. Such is the case with Gat Andres Bonifacio who was able to channel his "martial" energy in addressing the needs of the times. He did initiate the "Revolution" in 1896 but he could have chosen otherwise. If he did not choose to join Rizal's L...