No date, no problem: How single Manileños plan to spend Valentine's Day
Published Feb 12, 2026 12:18 pm
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Updated Feb 12, 2026 04:43 pm
Not everyone in Manila will be lining up for candlelit dinners or clutching bouquets on Valentine’s Day.
For many single Manilenos, Feb. 14 is just another day, or an opportunity to do something entirely their own.
Some are taking advantage of the city’s public spaces and attractions.
The Manila Baywalk, Dolomite Beach, Intramuros and the recently reopened Esplanade are expected to draw crowds looking for sunset walks and casual hangouts.
Families are eyeing Luneta Park for picnic-style meetups.
Food adventures are also on the agenda.
Food parks in Ugbo nightmarket in Tondo, Fusion Alley in Sampaloc, and along the Esplanade are drawing friends eager to try unique dishes, while cafe hopping in Malate has become a trendy way to celebrate Valentine’s without spending on fancy dinners.
Raselanne, 20, a second-year student at the University of Santo Tomas, said she and her best friend plan to go on a food trip at Fusion Alley along Delos Reyes Street in Sampaloc, Manila.
Singles looking for a Valentine’s backdrop are turning to the city’s recent initiatives.
Three days before Valentine’s Day, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso led the opening of the Dangwa Flower Park in Sampaloc, giving flower lovers a refreshed hub just in time for the rush.
Meanwhile, Aaron, a 28-year-old graphic artist at the Manila Bulletin said he will treat himself to a dinner at a restaurant at Robinsons Manila, and will hit the gym afterwards.
The “MayniLOVE” Valentine’s display at Kartilya ng Katipunan features an illuminated “LOVE” sign and a food bazaar with affordable meals, drawing couples, families, and friend groups alike.
In a city that never stops moving, Valentine’s is a chance to explore, taste, and make memories on your own terms, whether it’s laughter with friends, quiet reflection, or family adventures through the streets of Manila.