“Happy Valentine’s Day!” sambit ng kaklase ko sa kasintahan niya habang magka-video call.

Karaniwan sila-sila ang nagbabatian sa araw ng mga puso — magkasintahan at mag-asawa na nagbibigayan ng regalo at mahahabang mensahe para sa isa’t isa. 

I’ve always wondered why people celebrated Valentine’s Day since I was a kid. Through time, I learned that most people do it for the sake of creating memories. Whether through thoughtful gifts, heartfelt messages, or meaningful gestures, each celebration is a deliberate act of forging moments destined to linger in the corridors of our hearts, forever entwined with the magic of this cherished day.

Sa bawat taong dumaraan sila ang masaya at marami sa mga single ang nakakaramdam na napag-iiwanan dahil sa kaliwa’t kanang paglingon nila ay makakakita ng samu’t saring mga bulaklak at tsokolate ang nakikita. Ngunit hindi dapat ito maging ganoon, hindi kailangang magkaroon ng asawa o kasintahan para ipagdiwang ang araw ng mga puso.

At first, I naively believed that Valentine’s Day was reserved for couples or those with romantic involvement. How mistaken I was. Valentine’s Day is a day for any one, two, three, four,  or more people who share love and endearment. As long as there are memories to cherish or a desire to create them, the joy of this occasion extends its embrace to everyone.

Naaalala niyo ba noong tayo ay mga bata kung saan ay mababaw ang pagtingin natin sa araw ng mga puso? Ang ginagawang letter sa loob ng silid aralan para sa kung sinong gusto nating pagbigyan o minsa’y ito ay araw ng pagbibigay ng bulaklak sa ating mga guro. At ni-isa ito ay wala namang kahit anong kontekstong konektado sa romansa.  

We were kids, we did what we thought we were supposed to do. We tried learning what it was, the special thing that we couldn’t yet understand. All we knew was that it felt good to see how people reacted to your gifts, to your gestures, and how warm it felt to have received them.  

Ngunit habang tayo ay nagkaka-edad, ang ating pananaw sa araw na ito ay nagiging mas malalim at iba-iba sa bawat isa.

For the longest time, I’ve been trying to figure out what Valentine’s is for, or rather what it’s trying to celebrate. Does it celebrate love? The memory of love? Is it a designated moment for the expression of affection, a day set aside for the tender exchange of sentiments? Eventually, the urge to see what everyone thinks of it grows stronger; perhaps to gauge our thoughts and refine our understanding of things.

Nagsagawa ang The Escolarian ng isang virtual freedom wall kung saan ay itinanong dito kung ano ang persepsyon nila sa araw ng mga puso at kung paano nila tingnan ang araw na ito. 

A certain writer’s specialty, collecting thoughts and opinions and incorporating them together into a blob of ideas. There are bound to be some contradictions, but we’ll see the patterns. As the entries were being reviewed, a notion kept on repeating.

Hindi na nakakagulat na ang mga sagot ay halos nagpapatungkol sa pag-alala ng kani-kanilang mga koneksyon sa ibang tao, kaibigan o kaIBIGAN.

It seems to be that a bulk of the entries revolved around reminiscence, seeking the ghost of a precious moment. Have you ever thought of a rose, not as a symbol, but as a memory? Do you even remember what a rose smells like? Do you remember what it is like to be stabbed by its thorns? Maybe, but probably not. I am certain, however, that you remember what it made you feel. Memories are tainted by our minds, rare are those who remember roses as they are. It sparks a curiosity, what do Escolarians remember?

Sa hardin ng ating mga alaala, may mga rosas na namumukadkad—bawat talulot ay bitbit ang mga alaala.

“we met gr. 12 at ceis and ngayong college, kami na, hehehe. ✨ crushback dusts ✨ para sa inyu mga bunso 🤩 chance nyo na magparticipate sa mga booths malay nyo hinihintay ka lang din pala nya 🤭”

Ang rosas na kulay pula sa kalagitnaan ng hardin, na nanatiling pula ang mga talulot na sana’y manatiling sariwa at hindi malagas.

This one clings to that moment that changed everything — a singular point in time where the flicker of their love ignited, forever transforming their lives. Valentine’s Day is realized as hope; a poignant reminder of the boundless opportunities that romance holds. The essence of this day allows them to find solace and inspiration, believing in the magic of love to transcend all barriers and lead them to their destined hearts. It gives that little push, to be fair, sometimes that’s all it takes.

Sa paglipas ng mga araw, ang rosas ay mas lalong sumisibol. 

“... valentines is yung day na nagpapalabas ng creativity ko when it comes in making paper crafts pero you know there is still a thought na lagi ko naiisip when I’m in the process of making it kasi it does feel good when you see the person na binigyan mo nun na masaya dahil sa efforts mo pero paranas naman din..”

May mga pagkakataon na ipinadama ng isang tao ang kanyang pagmamahal sa pamamagitan ng mga regalo — maaaring mga likhang-kamay na sining. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng pagsisikap, ito ay tila isang pasilyo sa hardin: isang pag-aalay na walang hinihintay na kapalit. Parang pagbibigay ng isang bagay na ninanais na sana’y matanggap. 

There's a moment frozen in time when the wrapping is torn away, revealing not just a present, but the depth of care woven into each selection. Valentine’s Day becomes a canvas of devotion, every gift a brushstroke of affection. Anticipation swells not just for the exchange of gifts, but for the chance to express gratitude, admiration, and commitment. It's a celebration of effort, a testament to the lengths we'll go to show our loved ones they're cherished. In each carefully chosen item lies a piece of ourselves, a fragment of our hearts offered in reverence. 

Sa simula, ang mga rosas ay nag-uumpisa na mamukadkad, subalit hindi maiiwasan na may mga hadlang sa kanilang paglago.

“a day na dapat kikitain ko siya sa labas ng ceu malolos campus, wala e focus daw siya sa studies.. - mapua guy na napadpad ang totga sa bulacan ;)”

Pag-ibig na may mga balakid na hindi rin maiiwasan. Hindi lahat ng panahon ay magiging madali at makakamit ang lahat ng gustong mangyari. Sa kabila ng mga pagsisikap, may mga pagkakataon na tayo’y mabibigo at masasaktan, ngunit ito ang nagpapatibay sa atin at nagbibigay-aral para sa hinaharap — at muling pagsibol ng mga talulot ng rosas.

To some, Valentine’s Day looms a dilemma, a great divide that threatens to overshadow the celebration of love. It's a day tinged with missed opportunities, where the weight of expectations clashes with the constraints of circumstance. There's a palpable sense of hesitation, a reluctance to fully embrace the spirit of the occasion. Obligations, distance, or perhaps even uncertainty create barriers, hindering the expression of affection. An opportunity is presented to reaffirm the bonds that bind us, to overcome obstacles together, and to find solace in the knowledge that love endures, even in the face of challenges. It's a chance to redefine the narrative in ways that are meaningful and true to the unique dynamics of each relationship. Perhaps Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder not of missed opportunities but of the enduring strength of connection in the face of adversity.

Kasabay ng pagsibol ng mga rosas, ang pag-ibig na nagsimula sa isang kislap ng damdamin na lumalago sa bawat araw na nagdaraan. 

“... He was the one who made me feel that there's nothing wrong with opening up sa isang tao. Yk the feeling where everything feels so light whenever I am talking to him. I almost confessed to him na I like him last Valentine's Day pero pinangunahan ako ng takot na baka nakikita niya lang ako as a friend and never someone na gugustuhin niya… “

Gaya ng isang rosas na nag-aatubiling magbukas dahil sa pangambang masaktan ng mga tinik, ang pag-ibig na ito ay may agam-agam na magpahayag. Nag-aalangan na ilantad ang tunay na damdamin dahil sa labis na pagmamahal sa isang tao.

The weight of firsts—the first flutter of the heart, the first taste of genuine affection, the first breath of relief in finding someone who truly understands — it's a day etched with the indelible imprint of that moment in time imbued with a sense of wonder and possibility. Valentine's Day is synonymous with the memory of their first love—a tender, exhilarating journey into uncharted emotional territory. Yet, intertwined with the joy of first love is a subtle undercurrent of fear, a fear of losing that ineffable feeling, that sense of magic and wonder that accompanies such a momentous milestone. There's a poignant awareness of the fragility of those cherished memories, a hesitancy to relinquish their hold on the heart. 

May takot na baka masaktan ang puso na pinakamamahal at pinakaingatang hindi masugatan.

“... It was a special day for me and my love. A sweet memory I held on to as we shared something that brightened our lives.

However, as I look back on that day, I remember nothing but pain. The love that once made my life better now gave me a reason to be bitter.

Valentine's—a reminder of foolishness that forever changed me.”

Ang mga talulot ay nagdadala ng mga alaala na tila nag-aasam na hindi malagas o matuyot; subalit minsan, mas pinipili itong malagas na lamang sa kinakapitan nito.

Whispers of a bittersweet tale—a story of first love, tenderly nurtured and passionately embraced, only to unravel in the unforgiving grip of fate. It's a romance like any other, fueled by dreams and aspirations, where two souls pour every ounce of their being into nurturing its growth. A haunting echo of the past reminds of the love that once flourished, vibrant and full of promise; tender memories are a deep-seated ache, a gnawing pain that refuses to be silenced. Valentine's Day serves as a stark reminder of what was lost—a love that burned brightly but ultimately flickered out, leaving behind scars that refuse to heal. The agony of heartbreak is all-consuming, reshaping the very fabric of one's being and leaving them forever altered, tainted by the specter of loss. In the aftermath of a shattered romance, there's a void that cannot be filled, no matter how fervently one tries.

Sa kabila ng mga pinabayaang dalhin ng hangin, ang mga talulot ng rosas ay nagbibigay paalala na ang bawat pagwawakas ay magsisilbing muling pagsibol ng isang bagong yugto. 

“... Mag anim na buwan na kami, pero crush pa rin talaga namin isa’t isa! he is my peace in this chaotic world, nakakapagod at draining yung mga schoolworks, lalo na yung org, pero I feel at ease ‘cause I know someone’s waiting for me, he’s waiting for me. everything feels like a new adventure, it’s so good to be in love with my 🎸”

Sa bawat talulot na nagkakawalay sa kanyang sepalo, isang bagong pag-asa ang sumisibol na maghahatid ng bagong liwanag at kasiyahan na maaaring maramdaman muli.

Life is an infinitely finite labyrinth, a paradox with irreverent twists and turns. Love that lasts becomes a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness and uncertainty. Valentine's Day is a celebration of quiet anticipation—a recognition of the steadfast presence of a love that endures, unwavering and true. A solace in the arms of a beloved, a sanctuary from the storm, a refuge from the harsh realities of the world. It's the comforting knowledge that no matter how dark the night may seem, someone is waiting, someone to hold, someone whose love knows no bounds. In a world fraught with complexity and uncertainty, this sweet romance serves as a guiding light, a reminder that even in the most convoluted of circumstances, there is beauty to be found, and love to be cherished.

Sa tanong na “Ano ang Valentine’s day para sa’yo?” madalas nating isipin na ang sagot dito ay limitado lamang sa simpleng salitang “pagmamahal,” ngunit iba’t ibang tugon ang ating natanggap. Ito ay nagpapakita na parang isang rosas na may mga tinik sa sanga nito, ang pag-ibig ay hindi laging puno ng kasiyahan. May mga sandaling ito ay puno ng sakit, na nagpapakita lalo ng mas malalim na kahulugan ng ating damdamin. Sa dulo, katulad ng isang rosas na namumukadkad sa kabila ng mga tinik, ang tunay na pag-ibig ay patuloy na lalago at magbibigay ng kagandahan sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na nagdaan.

Valentine's Day is remembered as a symbol of hope, a testament to affection, an unwavering spirit, a fear of loss, a solace amongst chaos, a never-ending torment, and a love that lasts. It stands as a day of celebration, of whatever is rooted in your memory.