Is putting money in the back of a phone case lucky in 2026? Feng Shui expert answers

In recent years, people believed that placing a paper bill regardless of the amount at the back of a phone case can attract financial luck.

But is practice still applicable for the Year of the Fire Horse?

In Wednesday’s episode of “Unang Hirit,” Feng Shui expert Michael De Mesa said putting a paper bill in the back of a phone case is not advisable anymore in 2026.

“In terms of Feng Shui elements, ang phone natin is fire element, ang perang papel is wood element, so susunugin lang niya,” Michael said.

“Sa mga Kapuso natin [na meron pang pera sa likod ng phone case], tanggalin na nila ngayon kasi ‘yan ay double fire energy sa 2026,” he added.

The Feng Shui expert recommended other symbolic practices to attract wealth this year, including placing P168 inside a small ang pao envelope and keeping it in a long-fold wallet.

According to De Mesa, 168 means "fortune all the way." 

If your wallet is bi-fold or tri-fold, he advised placing three Chinese emperor coins, which represents the trinity of luck, in a small ang pao envelope instead.

Aside from using P168 and the three Chinese emperor coins, Michael also emphasized the importance of doing good deeds, such as helping others and participating in donation drives.

“We need to do good deeds para magkaroon tayo ng good merit sa buhay,” he said.

“Kapag naka-accumulate tayo noon, hindi lang swerte sa pera, swerte sa buhay,” he added.

Just a friendly reminder: these are merely guides, and our true fate depends on the actions and decisions we make in our lives.

— Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News