Valentine's Day 2023 in the Philippines

Valentine's Day 2023 is finally upon us. Let's take a look at three ways the Philippines will be observing and celebrating Valentine' day three years after the pandemic. 

First up is Cebu City.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1953008/cebu/local-news/police-to-meet-hotel-staff-as-valentines-day-nears

POLICE officers and hotel staff in Cebu City will gather on the eve of Valentine’s Day to discuss their security preparations for the day of love.

Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy city director for operation of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said the conference is held annually to warn the police and security and hotel and motel managers to be on alert for customers who will bring minors into their establishments.

According to Rafter, those who will be caught may face charges of child abuse.

The police official said they will also deploy their men in public plazas, churches and shopping centers where people gather with their loved ones.

“We will be deploying maybe more than the usual nato nga police presence, tungod kay daghan man ang manggawas siguro (maybe because many will go out) we will be starting it on the weekend,” Rafter said.

Starting Saturday, February 11, Cebu City policemen will patrol the public spaces because it is possible that some couples would opt to go on a date before Valentine's Day.

The CCPO urged all lovers celebrating the day of love to be on the lookout for individuals who might rob them of valuables like cash and cellphones.

It added it is better for couples to avoid hiding in the dark, which the criminals use as a trap, or staying late at night.

The Cebu City Police Office is going to be talking to hotel staff to warn them to be on the lookout for customers who will bring minors into their establishments for a little Valentine's Day fun. This conference is an annual event which means minors being brought to hotels is a perennial problem in Cebu City. Will other cities be having the same kind of conferences? Truly child sexual abuse online and offline is a problem in the Philippines. 

The Cebu City Police will also be patrolling public spaces to make sure no couples go into the dark to couple. Otherwise they might be robbed. 

Mandaue City

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/488410/mandaue-city-legal-employees-told-to-wear-color-coded-outfits-on-valentines-day

Employees of the Mandaue City Legal Office are requested to wear color-coded outfits on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

The memorandum released by the office on its Facebook Page also indicated the colors that would reflect the relationship status of the employees as follows:

Red – In a relationship or in love; Black – Bitter or mourning; Brown – Friendzoned; Pink – Waiting for someone; Blue – Brokenhearted; Violet – It’s Complicated; White – Single and I like it; Yellow – Searching for a partner; Green – Moving on; Gray – No Boyfriend/girlfriend since birth; Orange – The One That Got Away (“TOTGA”); and Office Uniform – Kill Joy.

“To bring lingaw lang sad sa rather mundane life sa opisina, nindot sad og reception ang mga kauban nato no, nalingaw sila unsay sul-ubon sa Valentines day,” said City Legal Officer John Eddu Ibañez.

John Rusty Takeuchi said that he would be wearing red on Valentine’s Day signifying how he is proudly in love.

“Happy man kaayo ko sa akoang family and sa akoa wife,” said Takeuchi.

He said that the order would allow them to express their feelings for their loved ones on this special day and the occasion would also be felt in their office with all the colors they will be wearing.

Meanwhile, personnel of the Department of General Services in Mandaue City has started putting up heart-shaped steel bars at the Heritage Plaza for the International Day of Love.

Ibañez said that they have already talked with the City Treasurer’s Office to conduct gimmicks for residents who would visit city hall that day.

Gimmicks indeed. Imagine if the government put as much effort into serving the people as they are in celebrating Valentine's Day. No doubt similar gimmicks will be occurring across the nation. Of course no one is required to participate but if you do wear the standard uniform you will be branded a Kill Joy which is jsut a way to shame you into participating. 

Muntinlupa

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1727775/muntinlupa-to-host-dog-adoption-painting-event-for-valentines-day

It’s the season of love and who are better to celebrate it with but those who, time and time again, have proven their unconditional love for us… dogs.

The local government of Muntinlupa announced on Thursday that its Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV) is hosting a Dog Adoption and Painting event in celebration of Valentine’s Day this Saturday, Feb. 11.

According to the city’s public information office, up to 18 dogs and puppies are looking for new owners, all of which have been cared for and treated by the OCV.

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon for his part said that it made sense that dogs are ideal “dates” on Valentine’s Day as they are “very loyal and are willing to make you very happy.”

“They are very unselfish and they look out for the benefit of their owners. So I encourage everyone to adopt, don’t shop, as these dogs need a home and family to be a part of,” Biazon added.

He then urged the public, especially potential fur parents to opt for adopting dogs in need, instead of buying from unregistered breeders which pose risks not just to the owners but to the pets themselves.

The Dog Adoption and Painting event will be held at the Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The OCV will also conduct vaccination and microchipping of pets during the whole-day activity.

Meanwhile, donations for extra dog supplies and needs, as well as to support volunteers are now being accepted.

A dog adoption event in celebration of Valentine's Day is a great way to help these dogs find new homes. The Philippines has a huge stray dog problem and adoption is a sensible way to help ease that problem.

So, there you go. Three very different ways the Philippines will be celebrating Valentine's Day this year. Of course there will be other celebrations. Most likely there will be cops handing out chocolate and roses to random women as that is something they seem to do each year.