Gift for Valentine's Day? Try these

Dahil malapit na nga ang Valentine's Day, siguradong marami na sa inyo ang nag-iisip ng pangregalo. Maliban sa mga bulaklak, usong-uso ngayong araw ng mga puso ang mga sweets at personalized gift items. I-Bandila mo, Carolyn Bonquin. Bandila, Pebrero 10, 2015, Martes

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How you can give a Valentine's Day gift that lasts

MANILA, Philippines - Finding the perfect gift for your partner is always a challenge. Where would you find that one item that shows your love and at the same time is something that he or she would appreciate and enjoy?

Chances are, you’ve walked through several malls, even gone through all the advertisements that retailers bombard consumers with, especially during the month of February. After Christmas, Valentine’s Day is another holiday that sends shoppers on a frenzied gift search: perfume, chocolates, flowers, a lavish dinner, or even a quick weekend getaway.

This year, why not try to be different. Have you ever thought of getting your partner something more practical that could still convey your message of love and commitment?

Although it may not initially sound romantic to give a useful gift, doing so conveys affection that is more than skin-deep. It communicates your time and effort put into thinking about your partner’s needs, your desire to help your loved one address these, and your commitment to his or her future and well-being. What can be more heartfelt than that?

Roses and chocolates may be sweet, and you can always give your partner these tokens to express your feelings. But when you want to break stereotypes and show that you care beyond mere gestures, these practical gifts would definitely be appreciated by your partner:

A gadget to make your partner more efficient at work.

Is your partner stressed at work? Perhaps he or she might benefit from a gadget or tool that can do his or her work faster. That may be a better laptop if the current one is constantly breaking down. Let’s say your partner runs a food business and has been trying to make do with a two-burner stove. An additional burner would do, as would any other cooking implement that would allow the food preparation process to go faster and more efficiently.

A personal development plan.

Is your partner eager to learn new things and expand his or her opportunities? Why don’t you consider enrolling him in a course of his or her choice? That could be anything that can expand horizons and growth chances. Think about it – a one-day course in HTML, Photoshop, photography, basic accounting, even balloon-making or food preparation would help your partner over the long haul.

The gift of health.

Your partner’s health and well-being is also your concern. Why not pay for your partner’s executive check-up? This would allow you to identify possible problems that may arise, as well as take precautionary steps to prevent any health-related concerns from setting in. You can even get your partner a health plan. Other gift options are a new bike or a pair of running shoes if your partner enjoys outdoor activity.

An investment in your future together.

Although it’s nice to live in the now, it is equally romantic to think about building your nest egg together. If you do not have a joint savings account, invite your partner to open one with you and gift him or her with the seed money to get this fund going. You can also buy mutual funds or UITFs to help you work toward your nest egg, or get a life insurance plan to show that you are indeed thinking about your family.

Help for your partner’s present day financial concerns.

Is your partner struggling with debt? Why don’t you offer to pay this month’s credit card statement to alleviate your partner of money worries? This is a gesture that would surely go a long way. Along with this gift, you can also present him with information on tools to better manage his credit card debt and future spending.

Just because you’ve chosen to give a practical gift doesn’t mean you’ve thrown away the emotion or romance from the relationship. Give a thought on how to present the gift to your partner in a manner that would show your affection. Think of how to give the gift, the message that would go with it, and how you would say it – which you would also do if you were giving your partner a giant bouquet of roses or a nice flashy watch.

When you are committed to someone, his or her well-being is also your concern. Whether you’ve been together for a long time or have only been going out for a few months, thoughtful, practical gifts such as these show not only that you care, but also that you are willing to stick it out in the long haul. Happy Valentine’s Day!

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why girls don't get Valentine's Day gifts in Tokyo, Seoul

MANILA -- For those guys who are grumbling about having to buy gifts for their girlfriends this Valentine's Day, consider heading to Tokyo or Seoul.

In South Korea and Japan, Valentine's Day is a time when women express their affection for their boyfriends or husbands by giving them chocolates or presents.

But women shouldn't fret -- they will get a chance to be showered with expensive chocolates or jewelry on March 14, which is called "White Day."

In Seoul, there's even a day for single people to wallow in their loneliness. They meet with their single friends to eat bowls of black bean noodles (jajangmyeon) on "Black Day" (April 14).

As if the pressure of Valentine's Day and White Day is not enough, South Korean couples also celebrate various romantic days throughout the year such as Rose Day (May 14); Kiss Day (June 14) and Pepero Day (November 11). Pepero Day is named after the chocolate covered-cookie sticks, which look like the number 11.



Meanwhile, in Thailand, many couples choose Valentine's Day to register their marriage. Hundreds of brides and grooms head to the district office of Bang Rak in Bangkok, since its name means "Village of Love".

Thai women also head to Trimurti shrine, located in front of Central World in Bangkok, to offer red roses and candles to kneel before the Hindu deity and pray they will find love.

In Peru, Valentine's Day is usually celebrated by young couples with chocolates, flowers and other presents. Peruvians would take their girlfriends out for dinner and take romantic walks in the parks. One popular spot is "Parque del amor" (Love Park), located in the esplanade of Miraflores district in Lima. Here, there is a stone sculpture "The Kiss" by a leading Peru artist Victor Delfin.

In Germany, you may find people exchanging heart-shaped gingerbread cookies with messages such as "Ich Liebe Dich" (I love you) on Valentine's Day. These Lebkuchen are usually found in festivals during Oktoberfest.

City of Romeo and Juliet


Verona, known as the city of Romeo and Juliet, goes all out on the most romantic day of the year with its "Verona in Love" festival (February 13-16). The city offers guided tours retracing the star-crossed lovers' footsteps, free romantic concerts and even a red heart-shaped market.

Even if you're not in Verona, you can download the app LeaveOn and leave a romantic message for your loved one. During the Verona in Love festival, the messages will be shown on a screen.

For singles, you can send a letter to Juliet, just like in the Amanda Seyfried movie. Verona's Juliet Club (Club di Giulietta) gets thousands of letters about unrequited love and heartbreak every year. Volunteers answer each letter by hand.

Beyond February 14

China has its own Valentine's Day called Qixi Festival, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This year, it falls on August 2, 2014.

The Qixi festival is based on a romantic legend about a goddess weaver girl who falls in love with a mortal cowherd. However, gods conspired to separate the lovers and banished them to opposite sides of the Milky Way. But once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, magpies would form a "bridge" to reunite them for a day.

In Wales, they have their own patron saint of love and friendship -- St.Dwynwen, who lived during the 5th century. St Dwynwen's Day is celebrated on January 25.

The remains of Dwynwen's church can still be found on Llanddwyn island. There is also Dwynwen's well where a sacred fish's movements can reportedly predict couples' fortunes. Visitors believe if the water boils in the well, they will be blessed with love and good luck.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Celebrities Asked: Where Art Thou On Valentine's?

MANILA, Philippines — Valentine’s Day is that very special occasion lovers look forward to.

For some, Valentine’s Day becomes SAD – Single Awareness Day. While some flock to malls and restaurants to celebrate, some maintain Feb. 14 is just another ordinary day.

Local celebs share their thoughts and plans on the upcoming “red-letter” day.

For young actress Kim Chiu, ditching this year’s Valentine’s is something she will most likely do.

“Parang gusto ko na lang lampasan ang February… Kung may date? Wala, sure ‘yon. Sanay naman ako,” she told ABS-CBN News. Kim is currently being linked to her “My Binondo Girl” leading man Xian Lim but she maintains, “Friends lang kami.”

Does this have something to do with her former reel and real life partner Gerald Anderson’s blooming relationship with Sarah Geronimo? The two reportedly exchanged gifts last Christmas and are looking forward to a date this Valentine’s – if Mommy Divine will let them.

Although unofficially together, Angel Locsin admitted that she loves Phil Younghusband and considers him “mine.” The two have been exclusively dating for a year now. Angel will be dating John Lloyd Cruz, her “Unofficially Yours” leading man, when their film premieres on Feb. 14.

For sweethearts Zanjoe Marudo and Bea Alonzo, their date will have to take place before or after Feb. 14 due to work commitments.

Zanjoe will shoot a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode with the newest kapamilya Iza Calzado on the 14th.

“My Beloved” co-stars and couple of almost three years now, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera will spend date night after Dingdong guests on Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez’s Valentine concert at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Daniel Matsunaga and Heart Evangelista, who have been dealing with breakup rumors of late, will be celebrating Valentine’s Day (also Heart’s birthday) together.

Belying the split issue, the Brazilian-Japanese model-actor told ABS-CBN News, “No, hindi totoo ‘yon... We’re together. Our relationship is going really well, thank God.”

Young love is in the air for “Growing Up” stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. Both kapamilya stars expressed the possibility of dating each other come Valentine’s.

The “Mara Clara” star said she is open to dates, if permitted by her parents. “Kung papayagan naman puwede naman kasi wala rin naman akong gagawin sa Valentine’s eh. Usually ako sa friends ko lang din naman ako sasama, manunuod lang ng movie, ganun,” she was quoted in an interview with Push.

Karylle chooses work over a possible date with rumored boyfriend Yael Yuzon of Spongecola.

“Wala ngang Valentine’s Day, puro work. Every day naman is Valentine’s Day. Kailangan manood na lang siya ng shows,” she told ABS-CBN News. Yael earlier confirmed in a separate interview that he will be working also on Valentine’s.

More busy bees will be working on the 14th.

Singer Markki Stroem said via Twitter @Markkistroem: “I will spend it in Trinoma with my band. We will be performing.” Same with “Showbiz Inside Report” host Janice de Belen (@Super_Janice), who will “be working on that day.”

“Survivor” castaway Ellen Adarna (@ellenmadarna) will have “a lunch date with my boyfriend in a steakhouse.”

Those who blocked Valentine’s Day from work include “Glamorosa” star Lorna Tolentino (@LornaTolentinoF): “Our family friends’ plan is to spend the day together with our children.”

Rocco Nacino (@nacinorocco) will “spend time with loved ones, bring my special someone to a nice dinner and then just enjoy the night.” Rocco is currently dating fellow kapuso Sheena Halili.

Singer Sitti Navarro (@bossagurl) is a homebody on Valentine’s. “I will spend it at home with the family, and eat our favorite goodies.”

What may be considered as the most-awaited Valentine date is that of the President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III with Philippine-based Korean TV personality and DJ Grace Lee. In a TV interview, the President said that he still has to see if his “date” with Lee, who happens to be a columnist of Bulletin Entertainment, will happen.

“Pwede bang abangan na lang natin kung may mangyayari do’n o wala? Kesa magplano na baka wala. Oh eh ‘di Happy Valentine’s na sa inyong lahat,” President Aquino said.


source: mb.com.ph