Lonely hearts no more

Arrah Camillia R. Quistadio takes the fast track in the dating game.

In this age of five-minute meals, can dates be as quick as cooking instant noodles, too?

With speed dating, yes. One can get a shot at romance, 21st-century style.

As the name implies, time is of the essence here. After an equal number of males and females are established during registration or pre-qualification, participants are given five minutes to chat with their dates. A bell rings when the time is up, and the men stand up to go on their next date as the ladies remain seated and wait for theirs at the table. This is repeated until all participants are done meeting the members of the opposite sex.

Post-speed date, individuals can meet up with one or more persons they were attracted to at the event as contact information is provided to them by the organizer. As to how far the pair could go from there, let’s just say that would be left to the individuals’ prerogative.

What is certain though is that the concept is relatively new for most Cebuanos. Organizers like Joyful Weddings and Itzamatch, an online dating website founded by Bigfoot Global Solutions, have introduced to Cebuanos this new way of dating. Itzamatch, for example, held its first speed dating event last April 26 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Joyful Weddings, meanwhile has put together two speed dates and will be coming up with a beach-inspired event this May 17 at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

Of the Cebuanos’ acceptance of speed dating, Karen Toledo, marketing services supervisor of Bigfoot Global Solutions says that they are still testing the waters. On the other hand, Chandra Pañares, sales and marketing director of Joyful Weddings, notes that some people equate going to speed dates as an act of desperation. But once they found themselves enjoying the event, she noticed they have become more open-minded to it.

Given its novelty, what advantages does speed dating have over conventional dating that could convince lonely hearts to give it a go?

“Speed dating also allows you to screen and search for the ideal person that best suits your interest without investing more than needed of your time,” Toledo cites, adding that people can tell their compatibility with their date during the five-minute chat, thus saving time and effort.

Extroverts would love the fact that they can expand their social circle by ten more people in an hour or so. Meanwhile, shy types can build their self-confidence in meeting new people thru speed dating. “It’s a unique and fun way of meeting people, whether for personal or business interests,” affirms Pañares.

Now lonely hearts can have a remedy—in a flash.

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