There are unlimited ways to say your 'I love you' this season

With only days before the most romantic day of the year, you're probably stressing on how to surprise your loved one. Much like the holidays, Valentine's Day will be celebrated differently this year. With all the health and safety protocols and mandatory wearing of protective gears, the 14th seems to become a day not fit for PDA.  

But, love is love. And love always prevails. To help you make the most out of St. Valentine's Day, we've listed down a few things you might want to consider in wooing your partner. Make Valentine's Day this a special one with these gifts and dates ideas that will ensure a magical time, even during a pandemic.

Floral and sweets surprise

Classic gestures never fail, and gifting your lover a bouquet of blooms and cookies to complement it is the simplest and safest way to show your love. Our pick is The Sweet Spell's Valentine's offering. Choose from its premium chocolate chip cookies, Yin & Yang Cookies, and 24-hr Coffee Brewkie to the assorted kinds that comes in two sets The Belle (with big bouquet for P890) and The Cherie (with a small bouquet for P690). Each set offers one bouquet of flowers from Mrs. Marti’s One Stop Shop, one order of any of The Sweet Spell’s best selling cookies, and a personalized note card! 

Place your orders at thesweetspell.com or send it a message on its Facebook, The Sweet Spell or Instagram @thesweetspell.

Go on a vintage date

Love is celebrated 365 days a year, but The Peninsula Manila wants the fire to burn extra bright on Valentine’s Day this 2021 as it sets the mood for couples to express l’amour while indulging in romantic delights that range from intimate dinners in The Peninsula Manila’s much-loved restaurants, listening to Strings play heart-tugging melodies at The Lobby, spending Valentine’s weekend in beautiful guestrooms, enjoying a delicious four-course takeaway dinner from its Boutique at home, or showering that special someone with blooms by premier florist Robert Blancaflor for The Flower Shop. 

All five senses will delight in Old Manila Chef de Cuisine Allan Briones’ sensory Five-course Valentine’s Dinner on Feb. 14. Paired with a variety of wines at P8,500, or by itself for only P6,000 (inclusive of taxes), this is one Valentine’s dinner that is not to be missed.

One need look no further than Chef Virgilio Aniceto’s buffet specials in Escolta to find the quickest and most delicious way to your lover’s heart. He suggests celebrating the night before Valentine’s with the most sensual Seafood Dinner Buffet on Feb. 13. P3,100 for adults (inclusive of taxes). 

Spices will also be spreading love on Feb. 14 with the exotic flavors of India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam with an al fresco dinner in Spices Garden where lovers can enjoy a Grill-all-You-Can and Seafood Menu for P4,000 with a flute of Moët & Chandon or P3,000 for adults (inclusive of taxes). A percussionist will perform live in Spices Garden.

For inquiries or further information, please call (+632) 887 2888 (trunk line), e-mail [email protected]. You can also visit the website peninsula.com, or through PenChat, The Peninsula Manila’s 24-hour e-concierge by clicking https://bit.ly/PenChatFacebook.

A Parisian one won't hurt, too

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila demonstrates how to love like the French in true gastronomic fashion this Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 12 to 14, 2021, featuring a bespoke bayside dinner, elevated signature specialties, and a relaxing al fresco food truck fair. 

Over at Spiral, nothing says je t’aime like the French Stove with elevated specialties including beef filet mignon with red berries sauce, escargot cassolette with Chablis, and a crudo bar of French oysters, scallops, salmon tartare, and beef carpaccio. The iconic Cheese Room presents artisan cheeses and a selection of matured and flavored Coeur de Neufchatel, popular for its signature heart shape fitting for the season of love. Meanwhile, a wide variety of mouth-watering chocolate-based desserts known for its aphrodisiac qualities are showcased at La Patisserie, topping off the gastronomic affair on a high. Valentine’s Day special at Spiral is available for lunch and dinner on Feb. 13 and brunch and dinner on Feb. 14 with rates starting at P3,000 nett.

For a laid-back, al fresco dinner date, Sunset Bar’s The Food Truck presents an elevated menu exclusive for Valentine’s Day weekend including foie gras sliders, softshell crab taco, chicken gyro, designer cronuts, and so much more—all paired with free-flowing wine, local beers, and sparkling wine. Lovebirds are set to fall head over heels all over again as they witness the breathtaking Manila Bay sunset in this romantic outdoor dining experience. Valentine’s Day at The Food Truck is available on Feb. 12 to 14, with rate set at P4,000 nett per person. Reservation and pre-payment is required.

For reservations and inquiries, please call (+632) 8-832-6988 or email [email protected].     

Special and ethical trinkets will do the trick

Give a gift that lasts a lifetime this Valentine’s Day with Jacinto and Lirio’s wide range of functional and artisanal ethically-made products.

The diverse selection of products caters to different tastes who have one thing in common: love. Insert a subtle “Will You Be My Boyfriend/Girlfriend?” into the functional Kaibigan Vegan Leather ID Badge Card Holder. Inspired by the renowned flower festival, the Panagbenga Fiesta Traveler’s Notebook can be gifted in lieu of the traditional bouquet. Planner life together with the Vision Board Monthly Vegan Leather Desk Planner for that picture-perfect wedding. For the couples who love to share objects that spruce their domestic life: the Guhit Vegan Leather Valet Tray Organizer.