By Brian Campued
From the year of transformation and renewal in 2025, let us welcome 2026 with intense passion and determination. With the arrival of the Lunar New Year, we are shedding the past Year of the Snake to give way for the fiery, galloping Year of the Horse.
But what does the Fire Horse have in store for us this year? Who will be tested? Who will have good fortune? And how are things looking for our sign based on the Chinese zodiac?
As horses move with that rapid, leaping stride, Feng Shui expert Joyce Macabuhay Co stressed that we should not just head straight on. We have to pace ourselves and strategize the things we have to do to achieve our goals.
“‘Di ba ang mga kabayo, diretso lang sila nang diretso… ang kailangan ng taon ay hinete—the one who will ride the horse and maneuver the goals and strategies for the year, and that is what the year needs,” Master Joyce said in an interview with Angelique Lazo on “In Person” over at PTV.
“Kailangan natin ng paalala sa sarili kung tama pa ba yung ating ginagawa. Kasi masyadong mabilis ang 2026, it’s very aggressive. And there are plenty of hostility because there’s an unbalanced chart. Maraming masyadong fire element and if you have this fire element, it would be very aggressive and very hostile.”
Feng Shui advisor and consultant Johnson Chua likewise reminded us that it’s okay if we can’t keep up with the speed of the Horse and instead learn to guide where it is headed.
“Kasi ang horse po medyo fast-paced, no. Lahat po ng mga bagay puwedeng maging masyadong mabilis. Although hindi po tayo dapat makipagsabayan sa bilis po nung kabayo, kailangan matuto po muna tayo [kung] saan papunta yung kabayo,” Chua said in an interview with “On Assignment”.
“Dahil wala pong mangyayari kung mabilis nga lang po siya pero wala naman pong finish line yung tinatakbo niya. Kailangan po meron tayong target goal.”
The luckiest and most challenged signs
According to Feng Shui experts, those born in the Year of the Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014) may face a lot of challenges since many eyes could be on them and watch their every move.
“The horse kasi is where the god of the year resides, and if you have the god of the year with you, alam mo yung there is someone really watching you and looking at your actions, binabantayan ka,” Master Joyce said, adding that the Horse has the Five Yellow, which may cause misfortune.
“For those people born under the Year of the Horse, stay at bay. No major plans. Like if you’re opening a business, better next year na lang. Or change careers, it’s not a good year. It’s not good to start something big this year for the Horse. For the horse, just go on with the year and stay afloat lang,” she continued.
On the other hand, 2026 may be auspicious for those born in the Year of the Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023) and Year of the Dragon (1928, 1940. 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024) as there would be good opportunities for money as well as building networks and connections.
“This is their time to shine. And if you are planning for something big and bold, this is the time, the year to do that,” Master Joyce said.
Success in business and career may also come for Rabbits and Dragons, according to Chua, but the latter is urged to focus on growth rather than starting something new.
“Para sa mga nasa career na mga Dragon, chances po meron kayong ma-expect na mga promotion or recognition. Pero pagdating naman po sa business, huwag lang po tayo masyadong magmamadali po na mag-start po ng something new. Mag-focus sa expansion or growth. Huwag lang tayong masyadong padalos-dalos sa mga decisions natin,” Chua said.
Career and business luck are also good for those born in the Year of the Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025) but they need to take care of their health.
“Meron kasing tinatawag na sickness charm or sickness star ang mga Year of the Snake,” Chua explained. “We need to be more careful, especially sa health. Huwag po tayong magpapadala sa emotion natin at medyo dapat po mag-health routine check po tayo this year.”
As one of the so-called friends of the Horse, those born in the Year of the Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022) have “very good luck” this year along with those born in the Year of the Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021).
“For the Ox and the Tiger, they have very good luck this year because they have the literary and the love star. In fact, they can get married, or if they have a partner, if they plan to propose, it’s a good year also,” Master Joyce said.
“And not only for love, if they want to pursue higher education, it’s a good year to do that. Especially for career, they have a good chance for career advancement this year.”
Although an ally of the Horse, those born in the Year of the Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018) are encouraged to pay special attention to their health because they have the Illness Star in 2026, along with the Year of the Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019).
While moneymaking opportunities and career growth might be good for Dogs and Pigs this year, Master Joyce reminded them to be mindful of overworking as their physical energy may deplete.
Chua added that those born in the Year of the Dog are prone to mental stress, including headaches.
For those born in the Year of the Pig, Chua urged them to be careful of who they trust.
“Although malakas ang Year of the Pig pagdating sa network and connection para sa 2026… Pero maging maingat lang po tayo sa tiwala, kasi meron din po tayong sign ng Robbery Star this year. So, dapat mag-ingat po tayo sa mga trust issue, sa mga puwede pong manloko sa atin o mang-scam po sa atin.”
Same with the Horse, 2026 is forecast to be a challenging period for its number one enemy—those born in the Year of the Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020).
“Medyo kalaban po natin yung taon, dapat po huwag tayong sugod lang nang sugod sa mga decisions natin. Huwag tayong masyadong maging impulsive and also maging maingat po tayo sa mga traitors and backfighters,” Chua said.
For those born in the Year of the Sheep (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015) and the Year of the Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028), choosing who to trust is very important as they have the Robbery Star this year.
While these two signs have good opportunities forecast for them, especially with network and connection as well as finances, experts warned that people with bad intentions might steal both their money and trust.
“So, be careful with scam, betrayal, [and] people who you trust. And if you’re signing something, for the Sheep and the Monkey, you need to really scrutinize the contract very well para hindi ka malusutan,” Master Joyce emphasized.
Meanwhile, 2026 will be average for those born in the Year of the Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017) as their energies are expected to be mixed this year.
“May mga signs of good opportunity in terms of creativity, may mga magagandang plano na puwedeng pumasok sa atin. Kailangan lang natin i-take yung execution,” Chua said.
As Roosters tend to be tactless and impulsive, Master Joyce stressed that “they need to stay calm.”
“Be careful of hurtful words, [it] would create an impact or might create disharmony with your decision. Masyado silang vocal eh (Roosters), they just need to choose the right words,” Master Joyce said.
The importance of balance
With the arrival of the Chinese New Year on Feb. 17, the Year of the Fire Horse is expected to usher in a year of grit albeit, at times, hostility. An abundance of fire energy stirs stronger emotions and brings more conflict, and there’s a noticeable lack of water energy to extinguish them.
Experts reminded us to be more in tune with our emotions this year because when our feelings are running high, we end up saying and doing things that we might regret afterward.
“We have to be mindful… We need to see what’s more meaningful in our lives—tama pa ba ‘tong ginagawa natin? Will it benefit everybody? Dapat gano’n yung mindset natin ngayon and everything will fall into place,” Master Joyce said.
The Year of the Fire Horse will be all about passion and determination, so everything needs to be balanced. And for it to be balanced, the concepts of Heaven (luck or destiny), Earth (environment), and Mankind (one’s choices and actions) must also be in harmony with each other.
Although Feng Shui plays a crucial role in how we perceive our life for the year, our actions and behaviors are the ones that will ultimately shape our future.
-avds
