Though the country’s first COVID-19 case was reported over a year ago in January, the last time Valentine’s Day was observed is drastically different from this year’s celebration. In 2020, couples memorialized their love through dinner dates, out-of-town trips and watching movies. But with COVID-19 still at large, movement is restricted with establishments forced to limit their number of guests to maintain physical distancing.
To find out how lovers will celebrate this day of hearts, Panahon TV interviewed three couples.
Charlotte Ramirez and Jan Gianan
Young Love
Jan, 29, and Charlotte, 30, met in their previous job as call center agents. Both Singles for Christ members, the couple plans to celebrate their 4th year of togetherness with their usual Valentine’s date. “We’ll do the same thing that we did pre-pandemic—hearing mass, eating together, and having a conversation,” says Jan. “Every day is Valentine’s day when you show your love for each other.”
For them, love means supporting each other in their professional paths. While Jan aims to be a full-time teacher, Charlotte is busy as a working student. “There have been many challenges in our relationship but with the grace of God, we’re thankful to be still together,” shares Jan. To secure their future, they began a coffee drip business, which they wish to expand. As soon as Charlotte graduates, the couple plans to get married and start a family.
Because their relationship is anchored in God, Jan believes that love should be constant, able to sustain couples through tough times. “For me, love is unshaken whether there is a pandemic or not,” he says.
Teofilo Singcol and Marcela Singcol
Long and Lasting Love
64-year-old Teofilo shares how he met his wife 60-year-old Marcelo during his grandmother’s wake in 1974. “My sister introduced me to her, and we fell into conversation because the color and fabric of her dress perfectly matched my polo shirt’s. That same year, we became a couple.” Exactly a decade later, Teofilo and Marcela got married. “We are aiming for a forever relationship. With the help of God, we try our best to be together until the end.”
This year, the Bohol-based couple plans to spend Valentine’s Day in a beach resort. By strictly following health protocols, Teofilo hopes to make their 35th year of marriage memorable for both of them.
Though it is easy to give into fear in the face of uncertainties during the pandemic, Teofilo believes in replacing fear with love. “In any relationship, both sides should be understanding. They must learn to give and take, and to simply talk things out during both good and bad situations.”
Jovemar “Bojie” Palorma (left) and Arceli Palorma
Long-Distance Love
Physical distancing may be a requirement these days, but for Arceli, 33, and Bojie, 35, their long-distance relationship has been keeping them apart even before the pandemic. “My husband is working in Saudi Arabia, and he can’t come home because of the pandemic,” reveals Arceli.
She describes their relationship as simple and practical. “When my husband’s here, we’d go to the movies even when there’s no occasion.” After a 13-year-relationship blessed with four children, Arceli shares their goals as a couple. “We plan to grow old together, see our kids graduate, and stay in love.”
Beyond roses and chocolates, Arceli believes that the greatest gift she and her husband can give to each other is trust. “A long-distance relationship is both a physical and emotional challenge. Trust and having an open mind are important in overcoming difficulties in our relationship.”
Wondering how to celebrate this special occasion? Here are tips to help you spread the love and not the virus this Valentine’s Day:
Sing at home. Serenade each other to your heart’s content in the safety of your own home. No videoke machine? No problem! Search the internet for instrumental versions of your theme songs. Better yet, bust out that old guitar and start serenading the old-fashioned way.
Couple spa. Take turns giving each other a soothing massage to melt away pandemic stress. Light some scented candles and put on some music to put you in a romantic mood.
Share a virtual meal. Couples with long-distance relationships can share a meal virtually. Decide on your common menu, and watch each other eat at the same time to enjoy a semblance of a real date. Meaningful conversation makes the experience even more memorable.
Write a poem. If your partner’s preferred love language is through words, why not express your love through a poem? Your loved one will appreciate your time and effort in completing such a challenging yet heartfelt task. Reading your poem aloud can be your way of renewing your couple vows.
Disconnect. Shut out the chaos of the online world so you can focus on your partner. By getting rid of distractions, you can take time to talk about things that matter. Reminding each other of why you fell in love can be a powerful force in sustaining your relationship.
Now that we are in the middle of a pandemic, give your loved one the gift of health by being healthy yourself. Be responsible for your actions and follow safety measures. Stay healthy; stay in love!
Flowers, chocolates, “cheesy” notes and love songs–there’s no doubt, Valentine’s is officially here! Whatever your relationship status is, here are some hugot lines that will not only help you express your feelings, but will also give you knowledge about the weather.
1. “Amihan ka ba? Lamig mo kasi eh.”
The Northeast Monsoon, also known as Hanging Amihan refers to cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia. It starts to sweep across our country during the “ber” months and peaks in January until February. This is the reason for the chilly weather mostly in the evening or early morning.
Don’t wait for your loved one to tell you this hugot. To prove your special someone that you’re not like the Amihan, better give them a warm hug today!
2. “Buti pa ang panahon, kayang i-forecast ng PAGASA. Pero ‘yung pagiging tayo, malabo kasi isa kang PAASA.”
Through the years, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has been providing the weather updates. It is the top source of information whenever weather disturbances enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Aside from delivering various data, such as 24-hr public weather forecasts, weather bulletins, shipping and farm weather forecasts, the bureau also offers live broadcast reports and interviews for different media outlets.
3. “Bagyo ka ba? Kasi when you left my area of responsibility, you left my heart under a state of calamity.”
An average of 19 to 20 tropical cyclones or bagyo enter PAR each year. Almost half of these may directly hit the country. Cyclones can be very devastating to the lives and property. When the extent of damage has become immense, the local government units (LGU) have the authority to declare a state of calamity for an easier and faster access to disaster relief funds.
4. “Para kang track ng bagyo. Minsan nagla-landfall, minsan lumilihis at lumalayo.”
A cyclone’s track is influenced by different factors like the High Pressure Area (HPA), Southwest Monsoon or Northeast Monsoon. It may make landfall or directly hit the land, but there are also instances that a cyclone re-curves away from the country.
5. “Buti pa ang ulan, may pag-asang tumila. Pero ang feelings ko ayaw paawat, parang babaha.”
Rain is a product of water cycle. Rains become enormous and more frequent during the Habagat Season or whenever weather disturbances like a Low Pressure Area (LPA) or tropical cyclones prevail within our premises. If rains persist for about three hours, flooding is possible in low-lying areas, while landslides may also transpire in mountainous areas.
6. “Ang feelings mo sa ‘kin ay parang SUMMER sa Pilipinas. Akala ko meron, wala pala talaga.”
As a tropical country, the Philippines has only 2 official seasons – the Wet/Rainy Season and Hot/Dry Season. The term “summer” has been part of our culture but it is technically incorrect. Summer and winter are only experienced by countries in the temperate regions.
7. “Ang turing mo sa ‘kin ay parang SNOW sa Pilipinas. Hindi nag-eexist.”
Most of us dream of building our own snowman and wish to experience a White Christmas. But in reality, it’s not possible in the Philippines because we don’t have winter in the tropics.
8. “Ako na lang piliin mo! Supertyphoon ang pag-ibig ko, Signal Number 5 ang effort ko.”
A tropical cyclone is classified into five categories–tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, typhoon and super typhoon. A Super typhoon is the most powerful with maximum winds of more than 220 kilometers per hour.
PAGASA issues Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals (TCWS) whenever a cyclone is expected to approach PAR or directly hit the land. Signal Number 5 means the eye of the super typhoon is drawing near, wherein residents may experience the strongest impacts within 12 hours.
9. “Kung ako ang bagyo, ikaw ang heat and moisture ko. Kailangan kita para lumakas at mabuhay ako.”
High temperatures and ample amount of water vapor are two important ingredients for a cyclone to grow stronger. It needs moisture and heat to sustain its intensity and elongate its life span. Without these, it may weaken or gradually dissipate.
10. “Para tayong mainit at malamig na hangin, pinagtagpo pero hindi magkasundo.”
Are you familiar with the Tail-End of a Cold Front? It is one of the weather systems expected to affect the country this month. Cold front is the boundary of two air masses, where the cold air mass dominates the warm air mass. When these two converge, bad weather will follow. Unfavorable weather conditions include heavy rains and thunderstorms.
Love is similar to the weather in its unpredictability. But unlike the weather, which may be roughly predicted, feelings develop spontaneously, which makes love all the more exciting.
This Valentine’s Day, we hear love stories from the weather forecasters at PAGASA. Discover how they found their “tamang panahon” and how the weather brought these couples together.
“Na-fall kami na parang ulan…”
Fernando “Deedoy” Cada (Aviation Meteorologist Assistant / Former PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Cherry Jane Cada (PAGASA Weather Specialist)
In the case of Deedoy and Cherry, friendship became the foundation of their relationship. When they met each other in 1998, both were in a long distance relationship (LDR). Still, people at the PAGASA teased the two because they were around the same age.
The turning point
One day, Cherry asked Deedoy help in fixing her father’s car, which incurred scratches.
“Nag-thank you siya sa akin. Sabi ko ”Anong thank you? May bayad ‘yun,” Deedoy recounts. “Inilibre niya ako ng hamburger. Simula n’un naging magkaibigan kami. Alam namin na hindi kami pwede kasi nga parehas kaming may ka-LDR.”
Since they were already friends, they often confided to each other. Then one day, Cherry invited Deedoy to watch a Lea Salonga concert. “May song d’un na ‘di namin makakalimutan, yung Fallin’,” says Deedoy. “Dun nagsimula.” They became even closer when Cherry’s boyfriend called it quits. When Deedoy realized that he was falling for Cherry, he parted ways with his girlfriend in the province.
Weathering the Storms
Because of their unexpected love story, Cherry and Deedoy consider their relationship as “rainy”. “Na-fall kami na parang ulan. Hindi mo inaasahan. Minsan nga o madalas, ‘di mo alam biglaan na lang, ‘di ba? Pero gaya ng ulan, may indikasyon naman bago ito mangyari,” explains Deedoy.
Believing in Forever
Deedoy believes that the love between husband and wife may last forever, but they have to exert effort to make it work. “Love is not something that you can turn off and on. If you truly love that person, yung pagiging matapat mo sa kanya, loyal ka dapat kahit madaming tukso, respeto at pag-uunawaan sa isa’t isa. At siyempre ang pagmamahal or love, can last forever. You just have to make it happen. Nasa sa iyo ‘yun.”
Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Cherry and Deedoy will not be able to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day together. But thanks to technology, they’ll still be able to see each other.
“Two consecutive years na ‘di kami magkasama mag-celebrate ng wife at anak ko this Valentine’s. Last year nasa US ako, then now dito naman ako sa UAE. Siguro through Skype kami magsi-celebrate. Kahit hindi man kami magkasama in person this Valentine, sa isip at lalo na sa puso namin, tuloy pa rin ang Araw ng mga Puso!”
******************************
“Kailangan mong maging matapang kapag magmamahal ka…”
Juanito “Jun” Galang (PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Angelina Galang (PAGASA Weather Specialist)
They say that a good relationship is worth the wait.
Jun first met Angelina in 1999 during the Observer Training Course in PAGASA. Nothing happened then, but they met again in 2003 for the Meteorologist Training Course. Both were in a relationship, but Jun believed that they were destined for each other.
“Paano kami nagkatuluyan? Hmm… mahabang istorya eh. May boyfriend siya, may girlfriend ako. Masasabi ko lang na niloob iyon ng Diyos na kaming dalawa ang magkatuluyan. Destiny, ika nga..”
The couple considers their two children as their most precious gifts. And like the ups and downs of weather conditions, Jun has learned to deal with marital challenges through constant communication and prayers. “Madalas sunny o maganda ang panahon. Minsan may time din na rainy, kasi sa buhay mag-asawa, ‘di naman maiiwasan na dumaan sa ganitong kondisyon. Kasama iyon sa buhay mag-asawa, although wala naman na may gusto na mangyari iyon.”
Believing in Forever
Jun believes that if you have faith in God and if you pray, you will find forever. “Kaya nga kailangan mong maging matapang kapag magmamahal ka, kasi alam mo na anytime pwede ‘yang mawala. Pero ang pagkakaroon ng pananampalataya ang magbibigay sa ’yo ng forever.”
True to this, Jun thinks Valentine’s Day is not just for couples, but also for families. Going to church, dining out, watching movies and seeing the kids play – that is how he pictures their Valentine’s Day.
******************************
“Naniniwala ako na may forever!”
Samuel Duran (PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Adel Castillo-Duran (PAGASA Hydrologist/Researcher)
Samuel and Adel met while enroling for the MS Atmospheric Science under the DOST-SEIASTHRDP program in 2007. At that time, Samuel had already been working in PAGASA for two years, while Adel had just recently graduated from her bachelor’s course. Samuel claims that it was love at first sight.
“N’ung makita ko siya, nagustuhan ko na siya.”
Samuel volunteered to tutor Adel, not only to help her with her studies, but also to get a chance to court her. “And since nag-aaral, maraming homework. Outsider siya so siyempre, wala pa siya masyadong alam sa Meteorology kaya nagpresinta ako na i-tutor siya. Paraan ko ‘yun para magpapansin at manligaw.”
His tactics worked and he was able to capture Adel’s heart.“December 25 niya ako sinagot and after four years, nagpakasal kami.”
Happily Married
Samuel would never forget how he jumped for joy when he found out that they were going to have a child. He was in China when Adel informed him through chat that she was pregnant.
The day before his daughter’s delivery, Adel was able to report to duty to finish her presentation for the Climate Forum. “Nung gabi, sobrang daing niya na humihilab na ‘yung tiyan niya. Kinabukasan, we went to the hospital. The doctor found out that she’s already 4 cm. She insisted na babalik na lang siya pag 9 cm na. The doctor just laughed and told her na ‘di na siya pwedeng lumabas kasi dadalhin na siya sa labor room. Magkahalong kaba, takot at sari-saring emotion ang naramdaman ko that time.”
Celebrating almost five years of marriage, Samuel likens their relationship to the weather, explaining that it’s sunny when everything goes well as planned, rainy when there is a misunderstanding, windy when a simple misunderstanding becomes a big issue, and stormy when they face big challenges.
“Kahit gaano kabigat ang problema namin, kailangan may time pa rin magsimba at magdasal. And siyempre, love, patience and support. Sobrang magkaiba ang personality naming mag-asawa pero gan’un pa man, kailangan naming magtulungan. Nandiyan din naman ang aming family and friends na sumusuporta sa amin.”
Believing in Forever
For Samuel and Adel, forever is a promise to hold on to. “Sa relasyon naming mag-asawa, ang tanging pinanghahawakan lang namin ay yung pagmamahalan namin sa isa’t isa.‘Yung binitiwan naming pangako sa harap ng Diyos: ‘Til death do us part. Kahit na mawala na kami, pero ‘yung love namin sa isa’t isa ay mananatili pa rin…kaya naniniwala ako na may forever!”
Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Adel is currently in Japan taking up her PhD so Mary Catherine, their daughter, will be Samuel’s date this Valentine’s Day. Since February 14 falls on a Sunday, he will certainly bring her to church. “After the mass, pupunta kami sa play yard for kids sa mall, kakain ng french fries–‘yun ang favorite ni Kat. Si Misis, online chat. Kakauwi niya lang dito nung December to January last year, kaya I believe na-celebrate na rin namin ‘yung Valentines.”
Samuel also revealed that Adel is now pregnant with their second baby.
Take it from the country’s top weather forecasters—love may be unpredictable unlike the weather, but whenever or however it chooses to enter your life, be ready to respond with openness and faith.
Happy Valentine’s, everyone!