AHH, VALENTINE’S Day. That most
dreaded time of the year…for men.
Oh yeah, we gals just love
Valentine’s Day. Trust me guys.
Even if she says, “Oh I don’t care
about Valentine’s Day. It’s just another commercial holiday thought up by
merchandisers and retailers to get us to buy stuff and boost their sales after
Christmas,” she doesn’t mean it. She expects you to give her a present, today.
And if you do, she’ll be secretly thrilled.
So maybe she’ll say something like,
“Ohh, you didn’t have to. I told you not to get me any gift.” DO NOT believe
her. You WILL get added pogi points
in that scorecard she keeps in her head, if you give her a cute or thoughtful
present.
Even higher pogi points goes to the man who brings his lady out to dinner, or
better yet, cooks her a meal. Why? Because food and romance are tied together
like a happy couple. When you are satiated with a meal, your body releases dopamine,
exactly the same neurotransmitters released by your brain when you are in love.
"Falling in love causes our
body to release a flood of feel-good chemicals that trigger specific physical
reactions," said Pat Mumby, PhD, co-director of the Loyola Sexual Wellness
Clinic and professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, at
the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. "This internal
elixir of love is responsible for making our cheeks flush, our palms sweat and
our hearts race." (http://bit.ly/1cuOjFo)
Chocolates, for instance, also
release dopamines in your brain, which is why when you eat it, you just feel
good all over. It’s like a happy pill that makes you feel warm, content, and
secure. (Royce’ Nama dark chocolates are just the best for me. But if you’re in
the mood for more after-romance romancing, studies show that white chocolates
release more dopamines in the brain, than ordinary milk or dark chocolates. Try
out the Potato Chip Fromage Blanc for a whimsical sexy treat.)
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| Falling in love, eating chocolates - your brain releases the same kind of feel-good chemicals in your brain called dopamines. For that feeling of euphoria and added romance, get her some Royce' chocolates. (Photo from http://chocolateihaveknown.files.wordpress.com) |
An alternative is to prepare a
picnic dinner and spend the Valentine evening at Fort Santiago in Intramuros
where the world-famous Philippine Madrigal Singers will be performing at 6:30
pm in “Sining sa Muling Pagbabago.” It’s also an art and photo sale to raise
funds for the survivors of Supertyphoon Yolanda. The best part is, it’s free
admission! (Uncouples, dateless individuals, barkadas, and families are welcome
as well!)
If you’re already in that stage
where you go on vacations together, bring her to Tagaytay where the cool
weather is conducive to lots of hugging and snuggling. (Discovery Country
Suites is a favorite of mine. Aside from the awesome individually decorated
rooms, the cuisine served at its Verbena restaurant has never failed to excite me.)
Or go for a staycation in the metro –
I’m pretty sure there are a number of boutique hotels around your area just
dying to host you and your honey. (My
personal getaway in Quezon City is Cocoon Boutique Hotel with its warm wood
interiors and green theme. It’s also right in the heart of the food and dining
area of Timog/Tomas Morato Ave. So you can check in early, park there, walk to
a restaurant for your Valentine meal, then go back to your room for a
late-night swim before uhm, bed.)
What about presents?
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| Treat her to a massage at home. (Photo from http://www.gpatlas.org.au) |
We gals love jewelry. The sparklier and more expensive, the
better.
Of course, if you’re still in the
dating stage and not yet quite “a thing” with the girl in the accounting
department, a cute bracelet with a set of charms will do the trick. (Check out
Silverworks for their affordable silver jewelry or Promod, a clothing store
which carries a lot of tasteful and chic bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. I
love shopping there especially during sales.)
If you’re already “a couple,” a set
of siopao pearl earrings would make a nice statement. It’s still easier on the
pocket than jewelry from Tiffany’s – she will have to wait ‘til you’re married
for that, or if you win tonight’s Superlotto – but tells her that you’re in
this relationship for the long haul. (Go to your friendly Muslim alahera in
Greenhills. Ask your sister or gal
pals for a personal recommendation.)
If you’re gifting your wife, please
don’t give her a new frying pan, or a new washing machine unless she asks for
it. I know husbands are already in the practical mode when they get to a
certain point in their marriage, but trust your wives enough that they will
tell you when they need those things.
For Valentine’s Day, however, aside
from a big bad bling! you can also give her the gift of health. Why not treat
her to her very own spa massage at home? She works hard at her job, she takes
of the kids, too (as well as you, you big baby!), and thus, deserves to relax.
Bundle up the kids and take them to your mother-in-law, and arrange a real
therapeutic massage for the wifey. (Call Spa Works at 975-3255, 394-8674,
(0917) 596-0011, (0922) 8320111. They bring everything, the massage bed, the
spa music, and the therapeutic oils. Very efficient.)
 |
| Give her that youthful glow-present her with some Blooming-G from Bausch. |
While you’re at it, give her food
and beauty supplements to keep her healthy and radiant. Lately, I’ve been
hearing the ladies rave over Blooming-G, which was popularized by actress-singer
Sunshine Cruz. I’ve always admired this girl for managing to smile and radiate
positive energy even under the most trying of circumstances. And notice how her
skin glows?!
Blooming-G apparently is made of
Borage oil, a type of essential fatty acid that contains high amounts of
gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), also known as omega-6. Basically it helps a woman
retain skin moisture and protects skin cells from damage.
Florinda San Antonio, founder of
Bauch Laboratories, underlines the effects of Blooming-G, not only on physical
wellness, but on a holistic approach: “Blooming-G was developed to help today’s
women live happier, more meaningful lives through its health and beauty
benefits. When a woman feels good about herself, she gains the confidence to do
more and standout. That is our goal; to improve the quality of life through
products that are trustworthy”.
So remember that men - the key is to
make your woman feel good about herself. And if she’s happy, obviously she will
strive to make you happy as well. Ahem.
So ladies, enjoy this day. Say thank
you to the men or significant other who make you feel wonderful crazy and in
love. Be glad for the present and more time with your beloved.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
(This piece would've been in the BusinessMirror today, Feb. 14, 2014 in my Something Like Life column, but due to a huge volume of ads, was displaced. Anyhoo, thank you for always supporting us, dear advertisers! We love you!)
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