On Valentine’s Day: Bigas or Flowers?

Events, Features

On Valentine’s Day: Bigas or Flowers?

On Valentine’s Day: Bigas or Flowers?

Photo and Text by ERLIN M. DUE

Valentine’s Day is celebrated with different types of celebrations and expectations. And throughout the years, the celebration and gifts keep changing.

And this pandemic is not a hindrance for some. Of course, everyone has their own ways to make their loved ones happy.

During the 90s, if one is in a relationship, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with a simple date. Of course, good luck to the boyfriend as to how he will ask permission from is date’s dad. Or, expect gifts like flowers, chocolates, perfume or cologne, stuffed toys like teddy bears, Hello Kitty, t-shirts and a cake from GeeCee in the City San Fernando.

The younger generation who will read this will say we didn’t have a variety of gifts because malls, like SM Pampanga, was only built in November 2000 and most of us were already married.

If you are single and not in a relationship, a box of flower from Esting’s Flower Shop will make you awesome! Of course, chocolates will always be old time favorites.

A hand-made Valentine card, love letters, a charcoal painting, a poem, a favorite song dedicated to your name on the radio will make you even more awesome.

And to be introduced to the family of your suitor or boyfriend will be remarkably valuable.

So, in the light of the changing times, I asked some of my friends who were “ligawin” at that time what Valentine’s Day gifts they will never forget.

Here are some of their comments.

Chin, 49, said she will never forget received a pair of Levi’s 501 jeans, Pringles of different flavors and a three-finger ring that was then fashionable but expensive at that time. But if you ask her now, she would chuckle and say she would want “money” instead.

While Agnes, 46, received a lot of flowers and chocolates as well as a movie and a dinner date which were an amazing experience.

Darlyn, 46, received a lot of flowers, teddy bears and a bracelet. She said that up to this day, she still likes to receive flowers and a cake from her husband and a rubber shoes too would be nice.

Then I asked some of the younger ones what Valentine gifts they would like to receive or expect today.

Flowers are always on the list, chocolates, food, a special greeting on social media like a personal video, TikTok and balloons. The more unique, the better.

I was surprised with the GCash gift and a “skin” for their online games.

Electronic gadgets are also awesome, like iPad or tablets, cellphones and even laptops.

Clay, 17, gets “kilig” when receiving flowers, chocolates and plushie bears. But she still prefers a traditional love letter.

Jessey, 16, would love to be with family and said Valentine’s Day is not just for couples but for family as well. Though she receives flowers and chocolates from suitors.

Nice,22 loves sweets so she is more into chocolates than flowers.

Since tomorrow will be Valentine’s Day. I asked some of my friends what they would like to receive on Valentine’s Day. Just for fun, I gave them a choice: if they would prefer “bigas” (rice) or flowers?

Here are the honest and funny responses I got from them.

Helen, 51, said “waley” (nothing). “Bitter ako,” she added. I was so proud of her saying that. She is honest. But later on, she admitted that she would love to receive flowers since it’s Valentine’s Day.

Here is what my mother said in her usual stern voice: “Ay! Mas buri ke ing abias. Ing bulaklak malalanta ya pero ing abias, kumabsi ka.”

While Francia, 46, said she would rather receive rice instead. Very practical and important than receiving flowers, she pointed out.

Nes, 46, said it is very romantic to receive flowers and chocolates. “Emu asali ing kilig,” she emphasized.

Mylene, 52, exclaimed: “BIGAS!!!”. “When I was single, flowers made me happy. But today, I’d rather receive rice,” she stressed.

“I would love to receive a bouquet of flowers since it’s Valentine’s Day,” Ruby responded in a “kilig” tone. “Feeling ko, ang haba ng hair ko!”

Lot, 40, on the other hand, said she would rather receive flowers since her husband is working at the Coca Cola company and receives a sack of rice monthly, she chuckled.

Joy, 38, said she will never forget that her partner gave her a bag and watch. But she would still love to receive flowers this Valentine’s Day.

Yhet, 41, admitted that flowers would be great but these pandemic days she would rather like to receive “bigas”.

While some don’t expect anything since they don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day.

To sum it up, everyone wants to receive a special gift on Valentine’s Day from their loved ones to feel loved and to spice up the day in a very romantic way. However, some of these ladies I asked did not end up with their gift-givers. These are merely special memories that linger on. It still depends on the person they love the most, no matter how big or small, cheap or expensive, the gift is.