A Valentine’s quest in the time of pandemic

Planning for that perfect Valentine’s date was difficult enough during normal times. The coronavirus pandemic has made it doubly hard.

BITTERSWEET In keeping with Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, 2021, a vendor sells a mix of vegetables (bitter gourd, eggplants, squash) gathered in a bouquet at the Dangwa Market in Manila on February 12. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

To help Valentine devotees plan for a memorable February 14, The Manila Time Lifestyle searched for the best possible ways to keep the centuries-old tradition going at a time when even holding hands and locking lips are not really advisable.

A survey of 6,400 respondents in the e-commerce website Picodi showed that 71 percent of Filipinos say celebrating Valentine’s should not be missed this year right, when love is needed the most.

Read on and pick that perfect way to love today.

Love languages

In an NBC News report, Meagan Prost, a licensed clinical counselor specializing in couples therapy, says a key factor in gift-giving this Valentine’s Day is to base them on “love languages.”

These, according to American author Gary of The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, in turn, are particular behaviors a person associates with love.

If your special someone responds to “physical touch, a romantic bath for two complete with candles and his/her favorite scents may be just the thing to warm things up.

If it’s “acts of service” your beloved craves, cook a special dinner at home or order in his/her favorite restaurant food as a surprise.

If your partner relishes actual gifts, with gift-giving considered a legitimate love language, take advantage of the dizzying Valentine sales online and in the malls [wearing proper PPE, of course]; or go for the more innovative digital ideas. Online store @4personaph Instagram shop, for example, can customize keychains, necklaces and acrylic frames printed with Spotify codes of a couple’s theme song.

When “words of affirmation” is the love language you use, go bold and declare your love on social media.

To round up with love language No. 5, that is, “quality time or valuing undivided attention,” couples and even families separated by the pandemic can organize virtual get-togethers or try out a Netflix Party. This is a free Google Chrome extension where, similar to video calls, hosts can create links to send to others as an invitation to watch a particular movie together.

Those lucky enough to be together can pick a perfect spot in the house — the balcony for example — to spruce up for a romantic dinner.

The great outdoors

For families, and even couples and friends, a fun idea for Valentine’s is a trip to Manila, where Intramuros offers tours on bamboo bikes, more popularly known as Bambikes. The activity is designed with safety protocols in mind, requiring guests to wear face masks and shields and to observe social distancing even while pedaling.

A less physical option is the drive-in movie over at SM Mall of Asia, which is currently running its “Love Under the Stars” special, featuring love stories “Five Feet Apart,” “The Girl in the Orange Dress,” “I Still Believe” and “Belle Douleur.” A hundred-percent contactless experience, even buying tickets are done online.

Last but not the least, what can be more romantic than a drive to the cooler climes of Tagaytay City? Set up a picnic even in the trunk of your car and enjoy each other’s company and the view. A fun stop can also be made in Sta. Rosa, where the country’s first and only outdoor theme park, Enchanted Kingdom, is running its “Dinner in the Sky” promotion atop the Wheel of Fate. A couple’s package includes two regular day passes, a South Korean-inspired meal for two on the Ferris wheel and couple masks.

P.S.: No matter what you do, don’t forget to say, “I love you.”

Source: ManilaTimes