VALENTINE'S Day. The pandemic. It's a doomed pairing. Covid-19 may have knocked down the chances of romance in the relationship arena, but it wasn't KO-ed.
Social distancing and quarantining make it impossible to be romantic on the day of hearts. Lucky are the couples who live together, but what about lovers who don't? Most especially those in the wooing stage?
With the IATF guidelines still in place, hearts will have to be socially distant, especially for those who live separately. Uncertain times call for extra precaution. A new variant of the virus may be lingering in the air now. Would you risk going out on a date on Valentine's Day? You can win her heart but you might lose yours, for good. It can be a short-lived love affair.
We were able to celebrate important occasions together, albeit not personally. Thanks to technology, we can zoom into other people's spaces while in the comforts of our own homes. With that, Valentine's Day can be as romantic as you want it to be. Whether you live together or apart, romance can still happen. I'm sure we all have access to the internet. Undoubtedly, that's an integral part of any relationship today LOL.
Have all the components of a romantic date delivered. From flowers to food to wine (well, if the alcohol ban gets lifted), even the mobile phone load for internet connectivity! Everything (well, almost) can be sent to your homes sans the hassle. Set up your spaces, dress up, light a candle, pour and your beverage of choice and get cheesy on the screen.
What will make your camera date romantic? What components would make it one?
Like any date, a bouquet of flowers will make for a good "kilig" factor. You can ring your favorite flower shop to have a dozen red roses (or a Fiddle-leaf Fig Tree for a certified pantita with a red ribbon) to start.
For dinner, you can go Italian, Spanish, Japanese or Filipino, whatever cuisine that can flutter your loved one's heart. Any of these can be delivered. Full-course dinner from one source or break down the menu has each course delivered to complete the meal. But remember that some food isn't as good when delivered, like cooked steak (unless you want your date to cook it herself. That can deduct a few romance points).
A cheese platter to start (Malagos Farmhouse's offering is fabulous!) then have a salad (Rekado's Kesong Puti Salad or Mr. & Mrs. B's MMB Roasted Salad is delicious). You can skip the soup, unless you want to reheat it (if you want to go though that, then I like the canned M&S Tomato Soup which you can zap in the microwave oven, or the Mr & Mrs B's Cheese and Onion Soup).
For the main course, you might want to impress your date with her favorite dish. I can recommend a lot but I'm pretty sure you have an idea where to order yours. (But if you insist, I love the Gambas Al a Jillo, the Osso Bucco which I pair with the Paella Negra).
The last course is truly special- dessert! Of course you have to send an entire cake or if the store allows a slice, then that will do fine, although the former is more presentable. (I have several on my list: Artisana's Rhum Cake, Lachi's Creme Brulee Cake, Happy Home's Sans Rival, Seda Abreeza's Malagos Dark Chocolate Cheesecake, and if you're lucky, you can get a slot from Claudine Diago's Buko Pie).
The food I listed are personal favorites. Go ask your favorite restaurant if they can conceive a special menu for you on Valentine's Day. Better make your reservations as early as now.
Will the vaccine arrive before the red letter day? Until you get your shot, it's best to play it safe. To stay alive means you can spend a lifetime of love with your partner.
P.S. I may sound too paranoid. I have a reason to be. Covid struck home (thank God they have recovered) but a few people I know have passed on. It's always best to stay safe. Less exposure means less chances of winning a Covid-19 prize.
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