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My first Valentine’s Day as a married woman is coming up, and our second month as a married couple coincides with Chinese New Year on February 16, too. There are so many reasons to celebrate this week, but my husband and I have yet to decide where to go.

As I did a little bit of research, I decided to share some of my finds with you. I made sure these places are romantic for couples but also exciting and interesting for all my single friends who are probably sick and tired of being, well, “singled out” on V-Day. Whatever your relationship status this Valentine season, go someplace with unique offers where you can create new, memorable experiences, like the following:

1. Beach and Dive Resorts

At Twin Rocks Anilao (By Wowie Wong)

They may be in high demand during summer months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a headstart during Valentine’s Day on your dose of the sand and sea, whether with your special someone or with your fellow single friends. Pick a resort that will allow you to do other fun activities besides sunbathing, like kayaking, paddle-boarding, or even island-hopping. Popular destinations include Boracay, Alaminos, and Puerto Galera.

In Mactan Cebu (By Wowie Wong)

In Moalboal (By Wowie Wong of Studio H20)

While you’re at it, why not try snorkeling, scuba diving, or riding glass-bottom boats. Popular diving destinations include Anilao in Batangas, as well as Mactan and Moalboal in Cebu. And at the end of the day, you can schedule a romantic dinner or a fun boodle fight by the seaside.

2. Spa and Wellness Centers

Nailaholics at Unimart, Greenhills

Whether you’re in a relationship or not, you deserve to de-stress and get pampered this Valentine’s week. Get a private room if you’re alone, or a couple’s room if you’re with you’re special someone. Make sure to book your appointment ahead, as these places are popular spots during V-Day. Get a massage and even add a full body scrub. While you’re at it, make sure to enjoy the unique amenities offered by these establishments, like saunas, fish spas, jacuzzis, and hydromassage pools.

Bianca Festejo Taguig branch

Another idea for single ladies is to gather your single girlfriends for a day of pampering at a nail salon like Nailaholics Nail Salon and Spa, one of my favorite nailcare spots, which has branches all over the country, including Iloilo; a beauty clinic like Flawless, for an expert facial or body treatment; or a beauty salon for some much-needed hair and body treatments, like Bianca Festejo, which has branches in Taguig, Quezon City, and Las Piñas. Visit biancafestejo.com to view the services they offer.

3. Camping Sites

If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box experience, whether with your special someone or your single barkada, why not try camping and enjoying the best of what nature has to offer? Groups of professional hikers and mountaineers are now offering this experience in different campsites near Metro Manila. Also, some resorts take camping to the next level by offering “glamping” as one of their options for accommodation. Glamping lets you enjoy the best of nature with resort amenities.

4. Historical Churches

Central Luzon houses some of the oldest churches in the Philippines, making it a popular spot for pilgrims and tourists alike, even on Valentine’s Day. Be it in Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, or Tarlac, you’ll surely encounter popular churches with rich history.

One example is the Monasterio De Tarlac, which is a monastery located at the top of Mount Resurrection that showcases a relic of the cross where Jesus Christ died. A 30-foot colossal statue of Jesus Christ also stands on top of the mountain, making it a popular destination, especially during Holy Week.

5. Annual Festivals

A lot of festivals take place in the month of February, and luckily, some of them are dated near Valentine’s Day!

The renowned Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City is a celebration of the city’s floral crops showcased through huge floats and artistic displays. Crowds from across the country flock to Baguio City just for this event, which this year will be held on February 24, 2018.

If you want to make an advance trip for Valentine’s Day, the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, Pampanga, is a sure-fire destination for your senses as well. The festival is ongoing this weekend, February 10 and 11, 2018. It’s perfect for couples and families who want to experience something they don’t see everyday.

Valentine’s Day is a day of love. Be it a date with just your partner or a group date with your whole family or barkada, taking the time off work and spending valuable time with them is an investment in itself. After all, your business is for the people who matter the most. Meanwhile, allow Globe myBusiness to help you out with your business, as it provides digital solutions to local entrepreneurs to help them grow their enterprise. Follow Globe myBusiness’ Facebook Page and get to know the entrepreneurs they support.

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