214 : Friendship Day

To many people, Valentine's Day is a day for those who are in love. The fact that it's otherwise known as Hearts' Day says a lot. It's a day for love, romantic love that is, and lovers. To some lovers, it is an excuse to be mushy and, sometimes, even corny. It's considered the most romantic day of the year. Japanese girls give chocolates to guys they like. It is their chance to make known their feelings to the guys they secretly crush on or secretly love. For the Philippine Presidential candidates, it's a special day to woo voters. Hehe:)

For me, Valentine's Day has always been Friendship Day! Back in college, my friends and I, that is Voltext and Daimos, made sure we were free on the day so we can have our V-Day group date. It was a day that we always looked forward to. We'd usually get together for lunch and spend the rest of the day chatting, laughing or just plain hanging out. It was always fun, fun, fun! When I lived in Manila, we (those of us who were in Manila) would get together like we used to. We'd spend the day together and if V-Day fell on a weekday and we had work or school, we'd postpone our group date to the weekend that followed the special day.

When I got back to MSU a little less than four years ago, Valentine's Day became an ordinary day. With many of my friends in Manila, and those who are here (including myself) being too busy, the usual V-Day group date became extremely difficult to arrange. I guess that proves how far we've all gone from our college and fresh from college selves. That may sound a little sad and negative, but it really isn't. And, besides, I know that we'll have those usual V-Day group dates again in the future.

This year, my Valentine's Day was more than the ordinary day it has been the past three years. It was made special by a late afternoon date I had with a very special group of students. The students were under my tutelage a few semesters back and we've forged a special kind of bond since then. We call our group the Hamoon Habibiis.

It has become our practice for the past two years to have an exchange of gifts as a year-ender event. But, last year, due to our schedules never meeting, we decided to postpone our gift-exchange event and just have it on Valentine's Day this year. So, the day came and, needless to say, we had a blast! We couldn't do the usual karaoke because we started late. Nevertheless, it was so much fun. We talked, laughed, ate, planned for another get-together, and we got gifts that we loved. Everyone went home happy and satisfied.



I love the fact that, for me, Valentine's Day has always meant a celebration of friendship. It continues to make me realize how friends make life so much more colorful and meaningful. Great times with great friends tops my "How to Celebrate Valentine's Day" list! And, I thank God I have such great friends to celebrate the day with. That definitely makes me one with those who are in love. I definitely am in love. I am in love with life! :)

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope you had a blast! And, as Kris Aquino would say, "Love, love, love!!!"

Let's spread the love! Oh, and Gong Xi Fa Cai to all my Chinese friends! :)