DAVAO CITY, Philippines, I've just pulled up an article saying my fellow countrymen have had not so good luck with Cupid either. Valentine's day is one of those holidays that are designed to reward people with partners and force single people to think something is wrong with them.
Browsing through the romantic displays in our local malls, ravaged by the recession, the bouquets and gifts are as opulent as ever. Perhaps even more than before, but with a bit of price cut since understandably everyone's pockets has holes these days because of certain regulations set because of a certain virus from a certain country.
Some of the offerings are downright gaudy but that's the appeal, it seems that during these tough and uncertain times, people tend to lean on rituals even if it's quite consumerist. I'm sympathetic to that feeling, at the same time I'm indifferent.
Nothing says I love you like a giant bouquet during a recession, it's affirmation, a trophy for partners. It's peacocking on social media and it may mask any underlying problems in a relationship. It's reminiscent of better times, before a crisis, or dare I say, back when a couple was actually in love.
Overall I hope business for the flower sellers, chocolatiers and restaurants have a bit of an uptick though, in the past few years, Valentine's has been pretty much frivolous and disastrous for traffic and basically doing anything, queues everywhere, restaurants all full.
I'm thankfully single again this year for this date so I'm able to have a more objective view of this consumer ritual, it's very stressful for many people single or attached I'm sure but if you base your love off this day, perhaps it's time for a little romance detox?
Happy Valentine's day to all!
