A different Valentines engagement

CEBU, Philippines - The February air is filling my lungs with the thick syrupy fragrance of love. Yet, I could not help but feel ridiculous thinking of the many banal romantic dinners and dates planned to coincide with that one particular date: February 14.

What if lovers can spend a romantic day together without attracting so many ants their way? That would be something.

Here are a few suggestions that may come in handy, should you be naught of any idea on an activity to do on Valentines Day (or if you were late in booking for a reservation in one of Cebu’s classy restaurants):

A night outdoors

Pack up your camping gear and head off to one of Cebu’s many campsites. You would have reprieve from the hassles of metro living, and an overnight stay with nature can be very rewarding. Make sure that your supplies are complete. This would include mosquito repellants, a tent and/or sleeping bags, flashlight, provisions, water, extra clothes, and toiletries. An excellent site that I heard so much about is Mountain View Nature Park in Busay, although, I’ve never been there myself, but the place is said to have a camp site with an excellent view, flower gardens, and even bunk houses. Should you be interested, better give them a call at 231-5444 or 231-5454.

Cruising Mactan Strait

It would have been perfect had you been able to book Islands Banca Cruises (Phone: 516-1903, Web: www.islandsbanca.com) ahead of time, but by now they are probably full to the brim. The best alternative would be renting a motorized banca from a lowly fisherman or one of those passenger bancas that ply Cebu’s seas. Make sure you don’t go too far off the coast, otherwise you might get in trouble with the Philippine Coast Guard. You can make some stops in one of the 167 islands surrounding Cebu, perhaps have lunch in a secluded white sand beach, then go snorkeling in a marine reserve. Or just cruise around the islands enjoying the day and wait for that perfect moment when you can snuggle up and enjoy the sight of the sun as it disappears in the horizon.

Heritage date

Ever thought of dating in a museum? Well, why don’t you try it and experience the romance of knowing one’s culture and past. Cebu City boasts of world-class museums with extensive collections. You can start at Museo Sugbo where you can marvel at the many artifacts that date back to stone-age Cebu. Realize that even before the Spaniards, Cebu was already a busy settlement with commercial activities and constant exchange of goods among people from other places and countries. Then you can get a ride to Casa Gorordo Museum and see how romance blossomed during the post-Spanish and early American era. Call the Casa Gorordo Museum at 255-5630 for information on opening time and fees.

Tartanilya romance

So, the tartanilya’s route has been limited, but this does not mean that you can’t enjoy riding the tartanilya with your special someone. Check out the beauty of Cebu’s backstreets and the busy Tabo-an district and marvel at the forgotten architectural wonders of the city. Just enjoy the ride, never mind if you are just going around in circles. Enjoy each other’s company and be intoxicated with the experience of riding like royalty. You can hire a tartanilya outside the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish.

Let your romance blossom in a unique way and do away with those extravagant Valentine spending. You can always make the moment extra special and memorable by doing something extraordinary. (Photo grabbed from http://freshphlogs.com)