LUCKY NUMBERS

By: Arch. Ernesto R. Zarate

Wikipedia tells us that “Numerology is any study of the purported divine, mystical or other special relationship between a number and some coinciding observed (or perceived) events… but are no longer considered part of mathematics and are regarded as pseudomathematics or pseudoscience by modern scientists.” Let’s leave this matter to these experts. We shall just concern ourselves with what Filipinos believe are lucky numbers, and as architects, on the auspicious dates to commence any endeavor like starting the construction, pouring of concrete for the foundations or beams, or moving in to the completed structure.

Many believe that these important endeavors must be carried out on dates that end in number “8” or “0” because as one writes these numbers, the hand movement is upwards. “5” and “2” and are not too bad and are permissible as the writing of the numbers ends in the horizontal. All the other numbers, however, end with a downward stroke and thus are usually not selected by staunch believers of this superstition..

But this goes diametrically opposite for other people. They say the 7th, 17th, or 27th, of the month are the best dates for launching any endeavor.

Aside from dates, for many Chinese, the Arabic number “8”, because it has the shape of two closed rings, or two coins placed one on top of the other, is considered luckiest or at least attracts good fortune. Many rich people from Hong Kong often buy at premium prices automobile plate numbers bearing the number “8”, especially “888.” It would not be improbable then that this also should be applicable to lot or house numbers.

In this regard, 1990 National Artist for Architecture, Leandro V. Locsin has to be the luckiest architect in the Philippines. He was issued PRC Reg. No. 888. We all know that PRC Registration Numbers are not chosen by successful examinees in the government exams—they are issued at random by the Board of Architecture of the Philippine Regulation Commission.
by Ernie Zárate.)