MANILA, Philippines – Who says Valentine’s dates are only for couples?

Whether embracing your solo era this Valentine’s season or spending quality time with your partner, there’s always a novel way to make the occasion extra memorable this year.

Here are some fun, quirky, relaxing, and/or immersive date ideas around the metro (or at home) that you can enjoy with or without a special someone!

Get lost in someone else’s love story

What are you looking for in a date this Valentine’s Day? Funny? A great conversationalist? Smart, interesting? A good read can tick all those boxes! This season is the perfect time to date a book, Fully Booked said, as it recommends some kilig-worthy novels for your next companion.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney dives into the complexities of love, friendship, and existential questions through the intimate exchanges of two adults. If you’re in the mood for a nostalgic love story, Eleanor & Park (10th Year Anniversary Edition) by Rainbow Rowell follows two teens who bond over music and late-night conversations, discovering the magic of first love. For a classic, Emma by Jane Austen offers a witty and charming tale of a young woman who takes matchmaking into her own hands, often leading to humorous and unexpected consequences.

Get creative and bond together

Turn grocery shopping into a fun solo date (or with your S.O.) by cooking a homemade meal. Make it extra challenging by trying out a new recipe you’ve never done before!

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Thai Cashew Chicken is a simple, Asian-inspired dish of tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and bell peppers in a savory-sweet sauce. If you have a sweet tooth, end the night with the Sinful Chocolate Obsession, a rich dessert layered with chocolate mousse, fudgy brownie, and dark chocolate ganache. Pair it with a glass of wine or coffee for a cozy Valentine’s night at home.

For another creative activity, Honeybon is hosting a Date & Decorate Workshop on February 15 at 4 pm in Gringo Greenhills. For P1,430 per pair, participants can design a cake while enjoying pasta, snacks, and drinks. Cake options include Tres Leches Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cake, and Strawberry Matcha Mocha Mousse. You can also just take home any of their cakes!

You can have your cake and eat it too — Tatatito Home Kitchen in Makati City has a new Burnt Basque Queso de Bola Cheesecake, featuring a caramelized top with a subtle hint of bitterness, atop a soft, crustless center that’s slowly baked at a high temperature.

Mall moments

Araneta City is setting the stage for romance this Valentine’s season with live performances — on February 15, PBB alum Jarren Garcia will serenade the crowd, while music lovers can enjoy live acts leading up to Valentine’s Day.

Catch Shirina’s Serenade at Gateway Mall 1 on February 13, followed by Karla and Arcy (Gateway Mall 2), Rain Gibbz (Gateway Mall 1), Aerone Mendoza (Ali Mall), and Talaarawan (Farmers Plaza) on February 14.

For those planning a grand romantic gesture, Love Confessions at Quantum Skyview on February 14 allows you to submit a message via Araneta City’s official Facebook page, and it could be featured on the massive LED ceiling at Gateway Mall 2.

Bonifacio Global City is hosting “Candlelight in the City,” an al fresco experience in collaboration with Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. on February 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The evening will feature the performance of Rony Fortich, former musical director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, on piano.

BGC’s XOXO 3D LED Live Kiss Cam is also back by popular demand, running in real-time on the evening of February 15. Renowned tenor Arman Ferrer will also serenade the crowd.

Shangri-La Plaza is hosting a series of events for Valentine’s, like Melodies & Masterpieces: Where Music Meets Art, which brings together visual art and live music in a fair curated by Galerie Joaquin, running until February 16. The event features a saxophonist and keyboardist.

Bricks in Bloom: LEGO Activation at Level 4, East Wing offers a creative twist to traditional floral gifts, allowing guests to build bouquets using LEGO roses, orchids, daffodils, sunflowers, and cherry blossoms. Fragments of Love: Making Ceramic Keepsakes takes place at the Art Plaza on February 15 and 16, where you can craft personalized clay pieces in a hands-on ceramic workshop.

Wine and dine

Nobu Manila at City of Dreams Manila offers a special five-course Valentine’s dinner on February 14 for P6,000 net per person.

The meal begins with the chef’s appetizer and Nobu canapés, followed by an assorted sushi selection with clear ginger-oyster soup. Highlights include Hokkaido Scallops with vanilla miso and Seared Wagyu Beef with onsen tamago and sake-mirin glaze. Dessert is a Delicate Chocolate Heart with strawberry rum mousse and mixed berry sorbet. Nobu Manila is open from 5 pm to 11 pm.

Casa Buenas at Newport World Resorts presents La Serenata, a nine-course Valentine’s menu inspired by the stages of love. Crafted by executive sous chef Paolo Miguel Vidal, the set menu begins with Primera Vista (chorizo and salmon) and Tomarse Manos (Filipino kinilaw), followed by Ambrazamiento (sabaw na molo) and Cariño (a tropical dish).

For mains, Pasión features a Filipino-style wagyu hotpot, while Amor highlights slow-roasted US rib-eye and Angus short ribs in Kare-Kare sauce. Dessert is Corazón, a burnt Basque cheesecake with coffee custard and strawberry semifreddo.

There’s also a five-course set menu at Morton’s Steakhouse in Bonifacio Global City that starts with Baked French Onion Soup, then a steak — choose from Filet Mignon (12oz), New York Strip (16oz), Cajun Ribeye (16oz), or Ribeye (16oz) — with sides like Macaroni and Cheese, Truffled Cream Corn, or Garlic Rice. It ends with a Special Valentine’s Cheesecake, with the set priced at P14,000 for two. It’s available from February 13 to 16 for lunch and dinner.

Grand Hyatt Manila’s many dining options include The Grand Kitchen, which features a Valentine’s Dinner Buffet at P4,500 per person, while The Lounge presents Merienda Cena, an afternoon tea for two at P3,350, with an optional live station for P2,600 per person.

The Cellar serves a four-course meal at P4,800, with optional wine pairing for P1,000 per glass. Guests can also enjoy Southeast Asian flavors for P4,000 or a private four-course poolside cabana dinner for P15,000 per couple.

Weekend staycations

At Ascott Makati, guests can relax at the One-Bedroom Unit for P12,000 per night, inclusive of a special dinner at Mesclun Restaurant. Citadines Salcedo Makati offers an overnight stay paired with a dinner for P5,099 on February 14.

For those planning a longer getaway, Citadines Benavidez Makati provides a cozy Studio Deluxe Unit for P5,000 per night from February 8 to 16, with complimentary wine. Over at Ascott BGC, a Studio Executive Unit starts at P10,500 per night, including P1,000 dining credits. On Valentine’s night, Scotts Restaurant at Ascott BGC will host La Nuit d’Amour, a four-course wine-pairing dinner with live string music and a champagne toast for P6,000 per person.

Citadines Roces Quezon City has an You’re My Lobster Valentine’s event at Alejo Restaurant, featuring a steak and lobster dinner with live music from February 14 to 16, priced at P1,800 per person.

Self-care through skincare

Wunderskin, a new skincare clinic in BGC, is designed for those who appreciate minimalist, modern aesthetics — think muted tones, clean lines, and a classy yet comfortable atmosphere; a space made for millennials who want science-backed treatments in a soothing, sophisticated environment.

The clinic is led by husband and wife Dr. Rai Madrid, MD, and Dr. Arlo Madrid, MD-MBA, both young board-certified aesthetic doctors who studied in Ateneo de Manila University, St. Luke’s College of Medicine, and trained internationally with experts from the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, South Korea, and Thailand. Every visit starts with a thorough consultation, where they aim to get to the root of your skincare concerns and how to produce the most natural-looking results possible.

One of the signature treatments Rappler tried is the Beverly Hills Lift, which uses InModePRO Forma Radiofrequency technology to tighten and smooth the skin. It works by using low-frequency electromagnetic waves to generate heat, stimulating collagen and elastin production while also speeding up cell turnover. Over time, this leads to firmer, thicker, and more youthful-looking skin. It’s one of the few auto-adjusting thermal treatments, meaning it automatically maintains the optimal temperature for desired results. It’s meant to address fine lines, skin laxity, or overall rejuvenation, improving texture and tightness with regular sessions.

Beyond its effectiveness, the experience of mild heat and circular motions is relaxing and comfortable.

Remedy Skin Solutions in BGC and Vertis North is the kind of wellness spa that makes skincare feel less like a chore and more like a personalized, science-backed process. The clinic itself has a modern and young vibe, and they even offer coffee before your session, which adds a nice touch to the experience.

Founded by experts in dermatology and technology, the clinic focuses on personalized treatments rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Every visit starts with a consultation with a dermatologist, who helps put together a skincare plan tailored to your concerns — whether that’s acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, or just dullness from daily stress.

One of the treatments Rappler tried was Skin Refresh, a facial designed to restore radiance and deeply hydrate the skin. It combines LHA, lipids, and natural skin stimulators to smooth out texture, reduce blemishes, and strengthen the skin barrier. The quick process felt gentle, using soothing motions. Beyond the instant glow, it also targets fine lines, sun damage, and uneven skin tone over time.

For something more intensive, there’s the Hollywood Laser Facial, a three-step laser treatment that works on pores, acne, dark marks, and superficial scars. It uses YAG, Carbon, and Genesis lasers to penetrate different layers of the skin (you will feel a bit of a snapping sensation), helping with breakouts while also brightening and smoothing texture. The skin would look noticeably clearer and fresher right after, though they recommend a series of sessions for long-term results. – Rappler.com