President Marcos shared personal advice on love and marriage this Valentine’s Day, saying strong and lasting relationships are built on friendship, mutual understanding, and the willingness to give and take.

In his BBM Vlog episode 277, released on Valentine’s Day, the President encouraged couples to cherish each other’s company and recognize how rare it is to find someone who genuinely cares.

“Enjoy each other's company. You know, it is rare to find someone…that you care for and cares for you, with whom you have a very nice time together,” he said.

“Bumalik tayo doon sa konsepto ng friendship (Let’s return to the concept of friendship). That's what you should try to find. And once you have found it and it's Valentine's Day, enjoy it to the fullest. It is a lovely feeling,” he added.

Drawing from more than three decades of marriage to First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, the President told youth groups that the so-called “secret” to a long marriage is not really a secret at all.

“Dapat bigayan (It’s give and take),” he said.

“Hindi puwedeng ‘my way or no way,’ dahil kapag ganoon, may isang laging malungkot (It cannot be ‘my way or no way,’ because if that’s the case, one will always be unhappy),” he added.

Marcos emphasized that nurturing friendship, making time for each other despite busy schedules, and doing small, thoughtful acts are essential in sustaining a healthy relationship.

The President acknowledged that carving out time for family is one of the most difficult challenges, given the demanding schedules of each member of their household.

“Isa na ito sa pinakamahirap na gawin dahil halos lahat ng pamilya ko, we are all very busy (This is one of the hardest things to do because almost everyone in my family is very busy),” he said.

“Kung minsan mahirap makabuo ng kahit ng sandali, kahit linggo may ginagawa, isang araw lang o mag-dinner man lang (Sometimes it’s hard to even set aside a moment—on weekends there’s always something to do—even just one day or to have dinner together),” he said.

“Basta't meron kaming opportunity na magsama, we take it (As long as we have the opportunity to be together, we take it),” he added.

According to the President, family gatherings are often spontaneous, sometimes involving quick trips to Ilocos or other destinations, whenever schedules align.

When asked about a song that represents their relationship, President Marcos mentioned “Moonlight in Vermont,” sung by Sarah Vaughan, recalling that it was played during one of their early dates in New York.

He also weighed in on the trend of young people risking friendships by confessing romantic feelings, referencing Taylor Swift’s song “Ruin the Friendship.”

“I don't think that ruins the friendship. I understand what Taylor Swift is trying to say, that you move away from the friend zone and you become boyfriend, girlfriend, jowa, whatever you want to call it,” Marcos said.

“But for me, the basis of any good relationship is true friendship. The best relationships I've seen have all been started by being friends,” he added.

“Pero kung hindi kayo magkaibigan (But if you’re not friends), you don't have fun with each other, you don't enjoy each other's company, and you don't amuse each other—if that doesn't happen, mahirap talagang magkaroon ng pagsasama (it’s really difficult to sustain a relationship),” the continued.