Red or Black Valentine? 8 Fun Things to Do In and Out of the City This Week
Some say the Valentine holiday traces its origins to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which welcomed spring in mid-February, and included the random pairing of men and women. Others believe it honors St. Valentine, who solemnized forbidden weddings for Roman soldiers. And some believe it's a product of clever cardmakers out to make a quick buck off the sentimentality of the populace.
Whether or not you celebrate Valentine’s Day, there’s a whole slew of activities taking place in and out of town this week.
1| DANCE
You can dance, you can jive with ABBA-Mania, an international tribute band performing the songs of the blockbuster Swedish group. February 14 at The Tent at Solaire, with provincial performances in Tarlac on February 13 and Pampanga on February 15. Tickets available at Ticketnet, Ticketworld, and SMtickets.
2| PAMPER
Relax with a couple’s massage and spa treatment at the Terazi Spa at Discovery Primea. A chilled bottle of prosecco and fresh strawberries await when it’s done.
For those who have more time to spare, head out of town to the Farm at San Benito for “Vitality of the Hearts,” a delicious four-hour treat. It starts with acupuncture to release energy blocks, followed by a traditional Filipino treatment called “Hilot Kasuyo.” A floral footbath is followed by a cacao body wrap, a milk chocolate bath, and an hour-long massage.
Afterward, dine beneath the stars with a six-course meal.
3| BROWSE
ALT Philippines, the newest contemporary art show in town, takes place at SMX Convention center, SM Aura Premier from February 14 to 16. Ten of the city’s largest art galleries are participating: West Gallery, MO Space, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Finale Art File, Vinyl on Vinyl, Artinformal, Blanc, 1335 Mabini, and Underground.
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4| WATCH
Lie horizontal and catch your favorite films “One More Chance” and “That Thing Called Tadhana” on February 14, and “Q Cinema Shorts,” “Sunday Beauty Queen,” and “Never Not Love You” on February 15. They’ll be .projected on the outdoor ceiling of Ayala Tower One in “The Unconfined Cinema: An Expanded Cinema Project” by Erwin Romulo, Philbert Dy, and Teddy Co. Part of Art Fair Philippines 10 Days of Art.
5| DINE IN
Dining at Old Manila at the Peninsula Manila is always a feast for the senses. Chef Alan Briones makes sure he tickles all of them with his four-course Valentine dinner. The Peninsula Strings plays classic love songs, and all ladies take home an Ecuadoran rose and a sampler of Philippine-made Auro chocolates.
6| DINE OUT
An al fresco dinner in the city is a romantic option, and a Nobu omakase menu makes it extra special. Start with a sashimi selection including oysters, wagyu, and seared uni, followed by whole blue crab with shitake, negi, masago, and scallop chawan mushi; sous vide Australian tenderloin with dark chocolate, and a crème mousseline parfait with Champagne jelly and strawberries.
7| SLEEP
Check in to a suite at the Raffles Makati where you are welcomed with chocolate-covered stories and Champagne. Have a lovely afternoon tea spread and later, cocktails at the book-lined Writers Bar. Wake up to a Champagne breakfast for two at the Mireio brasserie. Rates start at P19,000.
8| REBEL
Meanwhile, rabble-rousing rebels against romance are welcome to celebrate Black Valentine, an anti-Hearts’ Day party at the Mistral Rooftop Bar which has the best views in the city. Happy hour of free-flowing cocktails for P1,010.
